Help Please? 13 Year Old Son Sneaking Wheat!

[sreese68]

Not sure if gluten does this to your son, but for me it caused severe cystic acne. I had it for almost 25 years. Two rounds of Accutane couldn't make it go away permanently. Couldn't handle most antibiotics. Allergic to some topicals. Anyway, after being off gluten for 2 months, and my cystic acne was gone! Did a 4-day gluten challenge, it came back in FULL force. Disappeared again once those sores healed. Dermatologist was amazed.

So avoiding acne may be a good motivator! Especially if he gets break outs after eating gluten.

[Ninja]

I think he needs to understand what is going on inside of HIS body. Teenager-hood tends to bring out the "I'm invincible" attitude, especially when there is an opportunity to prove something. I would suggest (if feasible) you try showing him pictures of the damage to the villi in his small intestine... assuming he had a biopsy. I think things need to become more real for him — this is not a disease he can dismiss as pretend. Gluten does real damage to his body which will only get worse. (That's what would have worked with me — not trying to scare him here!)

Thirteen is a tricky age. You did a great job figuring out what was plaguing his body, now he needs to embrace the changes that will lead him to good health. He is in control of his own body now — sadly, we all only get one. Learning about all of this now will give him all the more wisdom later on, too.

Poor guy, it's so tough. Keep at it, you're doing great!

~Laura

[weluvgators]

My kids really enjoy being able to go buy stuff like the other kids do. We have worked it a couple of different ways, depending on the circumstances. You may want to see if you can work with the canteen to ensure that he has options there so that he can go get extra food if he wants. We also tend to pack lots and lots of different snacks with my kids so that they always have something to eat should they get extra hungry in the day. I cannot imagine how much food a teenage boy could go through!

[mommida]

This is a quote from Max Lucado about chidren to parents....

"You've been given a book with no title--read it!

A CompactDisc with no cover--listen to it!

An island with no owner-- explore it!

Resist the urge to label before you study.

Attend carefully to the unique childhood of your child."

Open up the communication to see what is going on. What is the underlaying reason? Tell him again how much you love him. How special he is, just the way that he is.

I also suggest the Lizlovely gluten free cookies. (I order from the website. They are not cheap!) What a nice concept they are sold under!!? Two HUGE cookies per package. One for you and one to share. Not even a gluten eater can resist! I would hang on your every word for a cookie, I swear! Makes a conversation like a special bonding experience! (I keep them on hand when My friends need a venting time and they end up spilling their guts and feeling pampered.)

I great way for him to fit in and make more friends by sharing gluten free with his peers.

Good luck!

[jenn42]

My 11 year old daughter just diagnosed with Celiac ( blood only ) has told her friends and teachers everything, from blood work to doctor appts. to getting the biopsy done next week. She's very open with everyone. I have her looking up gluten-free recipes online, grocery shopping together and even comparing prices of the "old" food to the gluten-free food. I even discussed with her the problems she may encounter if she eats gluten. She is well aware of the consequences and complications. She's a social butterfly and is always going places and to have a "tummyache" and "headache" would be devastating to her social career...ha ha! So, she better stick to her diet or else no play time!

She does pack her lunch and I have packed enough gluten-free cookies, and candies to share with her friends at the lunch table. I was amazed to find out that most of her friends tried and even liked the food. They have all learned about this and it's important to teach her friends what's happening. Her true friends will support her!

Now, in a few years she may rebel, but for now I'm pretty rough on her about eating what she supposed to eat.

Good Luck!

[jenn42]

I Just thought of an idea! Make the best gluten-free pizza's and serve with the best gluten-free cookies and have all his friends over for a party. Educate his friends and make a list of all the gluten-free foods that he can have so they are aware. My 15 year old son would think this is ridiculous, but I guess it's the parent in me. Sounds fun!

Good Luck!

[Juliebove]

I Just thought of an idea! Make the best gluten-free pizza's and serve with the best gluten-free cookies and have all his friends over for a party. Educate his friends and make a list of all the gluten-free foods that he can have so they are aware. My 15 year old son would think this is ridiculous, but I guess it's the parent in me. Sounds fun!

Good Luck!

My daughter's friends have for the most part been very reluctant to eat any gluten free foods. They just think it is weird. They only tried the gluten-free brownies at her birthday party after we had an accident with the real cake. The cake was still edible. The frosting just got a little messed up. One girl took a small bite of a brownie then asked me how I took the gluten out. Heh.

But overall they don't even want to eat any food at our house. Even if it's a regular food like a Popsicle. They are just fearful of our food.