Does Anyone Else Experience Forgetfulness?

[M817]

Hi, I'm still pretty new to all of this, my 7 yr old hasn't officially been diagnosed yet, but we are following a gluten free diet. Anyway i was wondering if forgetfulness can be one of the symptoms. I know that all children are forgetful to some degree, but my little girl does not go through a day without forgetting one of her belongings either at school, or a friends house, or somewhere. I mean I hear "oops I forgot" many times everyday. So that's why I was wondering that if anyone else has experienced it with their children too, then I can recognize it as one of the symptoms and be easy on her, otherwise she hears a lecture on how to be responsible for her belongings everyday.

[nvsmom]

Yes... But it didn't start until about 5 years ago. As a child, I wasn't any more forgetful than the average kid, and as a young adult I had a great memory for things. I'm not sure if it's celiac related or not.

My kids can be incredibly forgetful. My 9 year old can forget his shoes... not sure how he managed that. LOL

[GottaSki]

It can be a symptom, but I suspect I had celiac my entire life and was never forgetful until my late thirties - in fact had an incredible memory from childhood to young adult.

Some kids are more forgetful than others. I have one that never forgets a thing and another that forgets anything that doesn't interest him - he is 17 and has not outgrown this. Can not tell you how many blank stares I have seen when I ask where this or that is or when this or that is due

Don't know if it helps but the forgetful son is also a very imaginative artist and writer - a born storyteller and has an incredible memory for any information he found of interest - often bringing details he observed from early childhood into his writing. His brother that is always prepared and knows where everything is happens to be very analytical, born to be an engineer. They are as different as two people can be.

I'd vote for it being a personality trait, unless it is rare for the child to be forgetful. If it is rare - could be a sign of accidental glutening.

[Celiac Mindwarp]

I've got a 5 year old that can remember pretty much every dinosaur, which period it comes from the predators and prey and where they were found.

However - lunchbox sweatshirt coat bookbag every day - no chance.

I'd agree that it would be more likely to be gluten if it is an occasional or intermittent thing (though he doesn't have celiac. Well maybe not).

I have talked to other parents and it is normal for this to drive you a bit nuts. My son is familiar with that lecture.

[kareng]

I have 2 boys and I think forgetting belongings and instructions is pretty typical. They have a lot of more important things to think about other than remembering where they left the schoolbook. Like which Pokemon cards they have, whether someone likes them, etc. At about 12, boys can't remember anything for a year or two because their minds are too full of thoughts about girls so its good to start young.

If you are giving them instructions, have them repeat it or they can write it down if its a longer list.

One thing that helps is to set up a system. I'm not the most organized person, but some procedures that you remind them of for a few months, help.

Only get out of the backpack the book you are currently working on. When done, put it right back in. Put the backpack by the door or in the car before bed.

Lunch boxes go next to the sink the minute you get in the house, new lunches go by the door so you have to trip over them on the way out..

Mittens & hats always go in the sleeve of your coat when you come in (unless wet from snow play but that is an rare exception).

Ask teachers to help remind everyone to get lunch boxes, coats, etc. Maybe the teacher could let the kids put homework right into the backpack (my HS boys did this so they didn't forget something at the end of the day). Some of the grade school teachers had shelves with kids names on it. when homework was assigned, papers returned, etc. it went there and they all grabbed them at the end of the day.

You get the idea. Make it simple. This works for me, too. Car keys hang up right inside door, coupons and gift card immediately into a certain place, etc.

Once you get this started, each kid gets 1 free "pass" per semester for Mom to bring forgotten stuff to school or take them back to pick it up. After that, if its important, they have to pay for gas. Depends on what amount is alot to them. I did $1 at first. HS would be $5.