Return of GI Scope

Baby Girl had her second GI scope today.  She was a lot grumpier this time around and the grumpiness lasted longer than it did before.  The doctor showed me the pictures and things look good, but she'll send the biopsies off for evaluation so we know for sure.  I have a follow up appointment in a week or two. 

We've run out of her generic antacid, and the doctor wants to wait until she has the biopsy results before she gives us a new prescription. 

Her weight has added a few ounces each time she's seen the doctor recently, so I'm hopeful we're past the weight loss for her.  I'm in the process of weaning her.  I've been giving her more and more sippy cups of soy milk.  It's a bit emotional for me since she is my last baby, but now that I see how much better she is doing weight-wise it's a bit easier to let go.  (I even have guilt wondering if I'm the reason her weight gain has been poor). 

I have to admit I'm looking forward to adding dairy back into my diet.  I think I'll treat myself to a big old piece of cheesecake when she is done.

How Do You Guide Your Child Who Sabotaged His Brother's Scout Efforts?

Remember last week when I posted that Whirlwind was complaining about going on the scout camp out?  And that I mentioned it was an important camp out for both boys? 

Whirlwind sabotaged his brother.  I just don't know if it was intentional or not.

One of the final requirements for Lawboy to receive his Second Class rank was to go on a five mile hike using his compass and map along the way.  The troop got about a mile and a half into the hike when Whirlwind refused to go any further.  Another boy started complaining too and in the end they turned around.  (The troop did not have four leaders so two leaders could return the boys to safety and the other two keep the rest of the troop going).  The troop only hiked three of the five miles. 

When I talked to him about it, Whirlwind kept telling me he'd already passed off that requirement. 

I'm having a hard time discerning whether or not he was really that focused on his own scout goals and not anyone else's, or if it was intentional sabotage of his brother and he's taking a tact he thinks will spare him consequences.  (I don't think he likes the idea of his brother being closer to First Class than he is). 

I think that is one of the hardest parts of being a mom to an ASD kid (at least one of my ASD kids).  There are somethings I know he (Whirlwind) genuinely doesn't get.  Other times (because of things he's shown me he can accomplish) I think I'm getting played.  Usually I can tell the difference, but when we have somewhat unusual or new situations it is harder to figure out. 

I pray a lot for guidance as a mother.  I don't know how I could do it if the Lord didn't grant me inspiration from time to time.  I pray for wisdom and patience.  I know the Lord knows my children even better than I do, and He knows how I can best help them. 

I know the Lord answers my prayers.  On more than one occasion I've relayed a strategy or analogy I was inspired to try with one of my kids--only to have a counselor/therapist/professional tell me I was using a known technique to professionals without my knowing it was an "approved" technique.  I'm not saying this to toot my own horn about my instincts, but to give credit to my Father in Heaven who has helped me do these good things for my children.  By myself I wouldn't know how to do what I do.  With the Lord's help I can do anything.

So now my kids are home and I am lacking Solomon's wisdom.  I am going to be praying about how to handle this situation, because on my own I think I might just screw it up.

Trust in the Lord my friends, Trust in the Lord.

Trying to Motivate my ADHD, Aspergers, & Sometimes ODD Teenage Boy

My boys belong to a church-sponsored Boy Scouts of America troop.  It has been a good experience for them.  We have an upcoming camp out, and once again Whirlwind is declaring loudly he doesn't want to go.  He does this just about every scout camp out.  Somehow we convince him to go and often he comes home having had a good time.  He complains when we go the the local state park to meet up with friends from church.  I drag him there and then he never wants to leave.

I try to gently remind him that he said and did the same thing the last time we _____, and he still had a good time.  Sometimes I resort to all-out bribery/mild coercion (no electronic gadgets if he chooses to stay home).  Sometimes I lose my temper and tell him it doesn't matter if he doesn't want to go--we're going.

He's a teenager now, so everything has become "stupid" to him.  I want to roll my eyes right back at him and tell him he's being childish, but I know that will just cause problems.  (Did I ever give my own parents attitude?  I do remember being a bit obnoxious when I was in eighth grade, but I don't remember it being this bad).  He's a very different personality than Firstborn, so I'm having to develop new parenting skills.  I'm looking for ways to motivate him and not have the drama every time we need to engage him in an activity.

This camp out is an important one. Both he and his brother need to accomplish several things on it so they can earn their First Class rank.  He is more vocal than ever that he doesn't want to go, but he really needs to.  I hope it goes well.