I've never met a kid who didn't adore magnatiles. Both kids would be able to use them.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/deficiency/am-i-vitamin-d-deficient.shtml This describes why you need a level much higher than 30. You are very deficient. So was I and my doctor gave me misinformation too. You want a D3 supplement and I would (and did) take 9,000 to 10,000 IU per day until I got it in the right range. You want a level above 50 (and probably below 80 but that's not a concern in this case or most any case!)

Make sure you're taking vitamin D3. The prescription forms are not D3 and will not raise levels as fast (and they've got other issues). The vitamin D council is a great resource website for learning about vitamin D including the need to use D3 to correct deficiencies. I did 9,000 to 10,000 IU per day and corrected very quickly (under two months). My pain and fatigue (mine was fatigue) went away and I suspect yours will as well.

We're dealing w/other allergies too and I'm doing a four day rotation diet with the allergenic kid so that further limits us but this weeks dinner menu is: Spaghetti w/Tinkyada pasta Tacos Jambalya w/buckwheat for the base grain Breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs, etc.) baked chicken stir fry

We've dealt with this too. You've got good advice on trying to find alternative things she can do to meet that need. I just wanted to mention that sometimes it's a medical issue, especially if it's new or increased. That can commonly be a zinc or iron deficiency (zinc here), a bacterial overgrowth or parasitic infection (which can happen because of the hands in the mouth easily and causes more of the same), or teeth (coming out or in). If you correct an underlying issue you'll see a decrease or elimination of the need or at least a habit left that you can more easily address.

I don't so couldn't vote however my son has an anaphylactic allergy to nuts and sesame. My father (in his 60's) is anaphylactic to aspirin, penicillin and tumeric. I do, however, think anaphylaxis is increasing as are asthma and allergies in general. Knowing why is harder....lower vitamin D levels may be playing a role. So might increases in medicine and lower infections rates in childhood. The body isn't busy fighting off common diseases and parasites. Countries where those two things are prevalent have, in my understanding, far less allergic conditions. Son with allergies is a fraternal twin. His brother has no allergies or asthma. His father and I don't have any either. Clearly there are genetics that interacts with those environmental factors. We were already homeschooling when he had his first anaphylactic reaction and we found out about the allergies. But I can't imagine sending my son to school w/this type of allergy. I imagine serious allergies are more prevalent in homeschoolers for that reason.

My kids and I take it. It has helped with energy and muscle twitches/muscle pain for me. I had low coq10 as did one of my sons. We use this form. http://www.epic4health.com/ They carry Tischon brands. It's the type used in clinical trials for various conditions that respond to coq10. It's utilized much better by the body and it's the form geneticists and neurologists recommend. It's also got orphan drug status to treat various conditions.

I read that a significant portion of those with IBS symptoms are found to have parasites (b. hominus is a big one only some labs look for). http://www.badbugs.org/parasite/irritable_bowel_syndrome.htm I read that because my son who was having persistent GI stuff was found to have that particular bug. We had done a metametrix comprehensive stool test that found it. Insurance reimbursed but we had to pay up front. He just finished 28 days of Alinia to treat it and his GI system seems normal again. Genova is another lab that will do full parasites including b. hominus and d. fragilis and other that cause this type of ongoing issue. Metametrix also looks at other digestion factors that might be an issue. I'd recommend testing for anyone with IBS. Outside of that probiotics can help some people though it wouldn't be a fix if parasites are the underlying thing.

My husband and I were diagnosed with this recently. Both kids don't have it. We were actually testing us because of an infection my son has to make sure we didn't have his essentially. But we are both symptomatic. I suspect I've had this a long time because I had just thought that pain that came at times was part of life. We finished up a long course of Alinia to see if it gets it. Our doctor wasn't really pleased with the therapy usually given. If this doesn't work we're trying something holistic next that he recommends instead.

Thank you guys! I was worried no one would have an idea. I'm confident he's holding too tightly to compensate! I know I keep thinking that not only is the angle off but he's got a death grip and is bearing down. But I didn't connect the two. I'm going to get those three sided things, work on the fine motor apart from writing more deliberately, try the rubber band thing with his crayons and switch to mechanical pencils! Thank you!

I don't think it's as simple as people make it out to be. It contains lots of good for you stuff--antioxidants, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-yeast, anti-parasite properties. It's also largely made up of medium chain fats which are pretty rare in large quantities in our food supply. They are easier for the body to assimilate and use than other fat chains which must be converted in the mitochondria first. So all that is good. It will raise cholesterol levels no matter what you read. I've done a lot of research on that because my coconut oil heavy son was so high in cholesterol. That's not unique to coconut oil--any saturated fat will do that. And brains need saturated fats too. They aren't all bad for us. Some argue high cholesterol isn't bad at all and is in fact good. Low certainly isn't good for a person..but I don't think based on my research high is great either (or watching--my grandmother lived on saturated fat like whole milk as did my grandfather and they both died of strokes). And sometimes you read that coconut oil won't raise cholesterol (by those promoting it) but I'm confident based on well designed research studies I've read on pubmed it will and does. We still use a lot of coconut oil. I just think there is a lot of misinformation out there about it.

It's really hard to track the source sometimes. But in your case you believe the source was allergic reaction to the work done--is that right? My son had a severe bout of eczema after an allergic reaction to oranges. It went on and on. I was doing benadryl and coconut oil and cod liver and on (none of that bad...) and he was dairy/wheat/all top eight allergens and corn free. Anyway, what helped him was Zyrtec. I think because it stayed in his system long enough to get the histamine under control. I don't know if adding that will help you but it's certainly worth a try. Around here winter is a really hard to time to get eczema under control. I found this link re: the steroids and glaucoma. It's a risk w/systematic too (which my son has had to do as have others) in those prone to. In reading it looks like it's not so simple as use cream around the eyes increase glaucoma risk. http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/steroids.html

I never wake my kids. One almost always sleeps about 12 hours. The other varies more but he gets up and does his own thing until his brother wakes and then I get up too.

One of my kids (he's almost six) has some fine motor issues. I've been working on pencil grip and he's improving in terms of grasp quality as I've used a writing claw. But he's holding his pencil/crayon nearly straight up and down. That makes an awkward and difficult way to write and he can't see what he's doing so he's constantly lifting the crayon up to see. I can't seem to get him to hold the pencil at an angle. Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for replying to me with your thoughts and ideas. I've been thinking about the replies and I think every single thing people have mentioned plays a part in this. So I've got several starting points for working to improve things. Thank you!

I don't know if it's just an age thing or personality but I feel like we're failing as parents to my almost six year old son. He used to be a calm and obedient kid. Over-all I think his ability to control his behavior and manage emotions is quite high for his age (at least compared to his sibling who has a lot of emotional regulation issues). But it feels like I'm in a constant battle of wills with him. He's bossy and demanding (and yells and seems angry). He often says things like "Mommy, you do X and then I'll do Y (Y being something like taking medication that isn't negotiable)." I don't bargain with him on this stuff but yet he keeps doing it. His tone is angry and I feel like he's chronically thwarted by me for lack of a better way to describe it. The atmosphere here is just yucky. I feel like he's frustrated and angry and I'm just plain angry.

:grouphug: We just did skin testing which was discouraging too. I really question the wisdom and usefulness of doing an oral challenge of the two negative nuts. My son is negative to only two nuts as well. But an allergy to one tree nut is an allergy to all because of cross-contamination. In fact my son's anaphylactic reaction was to one of two nuts he isn't allergic to (probably x'd with cashew). Also, cashew and pistachio are the two most serious nut allergies in terms of severity of reaction. If he just sensitized to sweet potato and he is allergic to every other tree nut I can't imagine feeding him either of those nuts. Particularly since a negative food challenge when you're dealing with other tree nuts means basically nothing in terms of what he can eat. You couldn't pay me to oral challenge my son on his two "safe" nuts. If you really want to know I'd do a RAST. Those numbers will show you something about sensitivity to the nuts without actually exposing him to them. He still couldn't eat them but you'd have the information anyway.

I wouldn't do oats until you've been off gluten for a while and healed up. Then you can try gluten free oats and see how they go. But I wouldn't do it until I get my new normal and have a chance to have the body heal some. Not all celiacs can handle them and they are difficult to digest no matter the level of tolerance. There are so many other options for truly gluten free grains.

Spelt is low gluten and so can be easier to digest. The taste is also different than wheat. It's not safe for celiac or those who need a gluten free diet though. I think the best gluten free pasta by far is Tinkyada. Even the regularly consuming glutens among us like it and your family will likely be able to do it for dinner without a complaint. http://tinkyada.com/ You can make your own gluten free mac and cheese! This is a really tasty prepared gluten free mac and cheese dish. http://www.viewpoints.com/Amys-Rice-Macaroni-and-Cheese-review-20570 Baked potato makes a good gluten free carb fix. Rice dishes do too and we like buckwheat as an alternative (the whole forms can be cooked in dishes just like rice). All that you can find without going to places that carry gluten free. I would stay away from baked goods until you adjust to being gluten free. Nothing feels right until you sort of forget about gluten to me. You'll get there.

I second the Mike Mulligan suggestion. My kids love anything Richard Scarry. The stories, characters, and pictures are silly and messy and all the things that appeal to kids!

I taught in the public schools for 11 years. I have teachers all through my family. I think any firm thought expressed on how teachers view homeschoolers must (necessarily) be as a big "broad brush" stereotype as any opinion of homeschoolers a teacher might hold. My public school teaching friends are supportive. I got more concern from non teacher friends actually. I will say that most of what public school teachers see of homeschoolers are the ones who are in serious discipline or attendance trouble and the parent pulls them out under the guise of homeschooling when everyone (parent/school/kid) knows nothing is going to happen educationally. That is mostly what I saw. But then no one I know would think this is what homeschooling looks like when it's really done. I don't think most teachers believe what they do to be above the ability of an involved parent. This would be outside of specialized areas (high level math/science/some skills areas/etc.) where teachers might hold reservations if they didn't know the options out there in those areas. I think most teachers know it's impossible to meet the needs of every single student in the class in any way that approaches ideal. I suspect most would be supportive if a parent is sincere about teaching their child. That's my broad brush stereotype anyway.

Make sure you take enough to raise your levels. Most people 1000 IU of D3 per 25 pounds to maintain their current level. So you need to go above that to fix your level. I did 9,000 IU of D3 per day and that is safe for healthy adults regardless of current levels. You will correct faster if you take higher doses and at this time of year fast is good. On the sun thing--not everyone makes vitamin D well through sun. I'd say most don't actually since most of the population is deficient. That's why it's good to know your level. Don't count on the sun as adequate. Study of those with high levels of sun exposure in Hawaii showed that over 50% had vitamin D levels below 30. Almost none of them were 50 or above. Hawaii is significant because most areas of the world are not at the right latitude to make vitamin D from the sun for much of the year. The average was 22.4 hours a week of Hawaiian sun exposure without sunscreen. In addition, there were a variety of races and skin tones represented. It looks like a well designed study in all ways I can determine. http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/con...130&sendit=Get Study hypothesized why so many were low even though they had lots of sun exposure:

I can feel my neuroma as a bump inside the foot (vs. something on the skin surface/outside). Mine is not in that spot but it's not in the typical morton's neuroma spot either. Mine came up after a stint on crutches as well with a cut tendon in the opposite foot. I hope it's a planter's wart instead. But I'd go to a podiatrist. I wish I hadn't waited so long as I don't think my foot will ever be 100%. But they can do a shot to give it a chance to heal and special shoe inserts to take the pressure off that area.

For healthy adults (ie no parathyroid disease/kidney stones, no sarcoidosis) 9,000 IU per day should be perfectly safe. And for kids from ages 1 to 6 2000 IU per day (conservative level, very conservative) should be safe. If you're within those I'd keep doing it unless things get worse. I do use magnesium with vitamin D. You aren't raising levels that fast and you aren't giving enough to be too much. It is the best thing you can do for staying healthy. If it continues/worsens I guess you could do a break (or cut down to 5000) and see if things change. But I'd want to keep up the dosing if I could.

Statistically leaving an unhappy marriage doesn't make people happier. That even includes those who divorce and remarry. They are just as unhappy five years later. And in fact I think many who stick out unhappiness at points will find themselves in a happier marriage in time. That's been true for us. I believe sticking with the commitment gives the best chance for eventual happiness of both people at least generally speaking. Interesting research on this stuff: http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/edi/edi_03divorcemarriage.html The article also goes into what turned around personal happiness give years later in some of those most unhappy marriages.