Sometimes people have their own issues that don't have anything to do with you. Perhaps she has an attachment issue, intimacy issue, or is afraid of getting too close lest she get hurt. I realize it's not fair to you or your dc, but try not to let it get you down. If you did nothing wrong, and she hasn't said you have, then try to move on and accept that sometimes people have their own issues and reasons, and it likely has nothing to do with you at all. :grouphug:

wow, Mrs.M, what a long thread! I have not read all the responses, so this may be repeated. My son has autism and self-limits food to the max. He's the case story the rehabilitation nutritionists use at our hospital. :lol: Anyhow, one of the many tricks we did with him to increase his nutrition was to increase caloric intake. We desired to make a visible difference within one year because he was so tiny and looked sick all the time. So for that particular goal (there were several going on simultaneously) we introduced vanilla protein powder and sprinkled a little in almost everything. Mixed with regular juice: yum. Sprinkled over cereal: yum. Mixed with applesauce: yum. You get the picture. He put on weight very nicely. He actually has his first little roll around his middle, it's very cute! As soon as we were happy we decreased the powder. He still gets about a tsp every morning, but we're no longer using it everywhere. HTH!

Oh, you WILL get your money's worth! I used it for only one and got my money's worth! :lol:

:grouphug: Praying. :grouphug:

We have the Create-a-Story game and love it. You need good follow-through to get the actual story written, but the process is fun and IMO, it's worth the investment.

I agree with Peppermint White Chocolate. Picture oodles of whipped cream covered with crushed peppermint candies. Or some kind of Eggnog concoction. Or hot apple cider. Or Roasted Marshmallow drink... Imp & I saw that last week at Montana's. :drool5: It looked lovely and it was considered a dessert drink.

If you were quite against sexy productions, and would rather have a root canal than sit in a room with your dh and children and watch... oh, practically anything that's offered on television nowadays, would you attend a fundraiser for a child you love but there were salsa dancers performing? I don't want to be there and all of a sudden assaulted by lack of clothing in costumes and suggestive movements. It really makes me fume. This kid is pretty special to us, but I'm really struggling about what to do. WWYD?

Praying for a full recovery. Sending cyber hugs. :grouphug:

I put a heating pad under my feet, then an electric blanket over me, with a heavy down duvet over that. My feet are icy, and within half an hour I'm toasty. :D

My mom is on a well system with horses. There is no way she could do 3 loads of laundry in one day, and they've never watered their lawn. They would run out of water. Perhaps a deeper well?

Yes to rice!

That is odd... however, what if she's doing it innocently? My good friend had a boy the same time as me. Mine has autism. Her boy has a special place in my heart because he brings to mind "what if". So when I see him playing soccer I just melt. When he does things that typical boys do and my son doesn't, my heart swells. I love that kid, and I love my boy. Would I want to steal him as my own? Heaven's no! My friend is not threatened at all, and loves that he has a special place in my heart. She takes it as a compliment. But I'm also not mentally unstable (for the most part!) :lol: Perhaps (barring mental problems) she's just dealing with the what-ifs and loving your boy in a special way. Is that a possibility? Or is it really wigging you out? This is something that only your mama's instinct will really know. :grouphug:

It's along those same lines that I mentioned the denim. Dogs do know the difference between a pair of jeans lying on the floor, and a denim stuffed leg. We stuffed one with cellophane for that crinkly feeling, and the dogs quickly learned that yes, this is their chew toy, but clothing is not.

No, it's not messy. :001_smile: There was another recipe that was messy, but I kicked it out my memory because I don't do messy. :lol:

You could find a better deal on those brushes. Check out Lee Valley. Do searches for surgical brushes, vegetable brushes and nail brushes. They're all the same. You really only need a few as they last for years. Do read up on the method and have your OT train you. I agree with The Out of Synch Child as a necessary read. Check out http://www.flaghouse.com (under Sensory Integration: Deep Pressure) for some great sensory products. I've dealt with many companies, but this one is superb; the staff are very helpful. I bet he'd like the sensory sock/bag (they call it a Joint Co Motion) and a hug vest. Hope that helps!

:iagree: When I went to Dog Guide training, the head trainer raved about this recipe: mix half peanut butter with half yogurt. Smear on the inside of a Kong and freeze. It works so good and the dogs loooove it. It's good to have a few different shaped Kongs so that there's always one ready in the freezer.

Ditto the Nylabone and Jolly Ball. If you don't mind fabric, snip the leg off an old pair of sturdy jeans and stuff with whatever you have on hand; sew both ends closed. If the denim is very strong, it can last for years. We used marker and made some eyes and called it a snake toy LOL. My mom uses boat buoys and her dogs love them. Ice cubes are a real treat around here as well. And peanut butter smeared inside a Kong-type toy will occupy them for a while. When our puppy was behaving as yours is, we found some exercise helped, then allowing them to be near us as we schooled. Either on leash or in the crate, having them right beside us calmed the pup. They're social creatures, too! ;)

Thank you, Diane & Wendi. I realized after I posted that it wasn't just finger food he ate... he sucked and licked his fingers. Hoping nothing comes of it. Thank you for mentioning Fish Handler's Disease, Diane, it gives me something to keep an eye out for. Here's hoping it all turns out fine. Thanks again!

Ouch! :lol: You're so violent! :tongue_smilie:

Does anyone know if there are dangers associated with handling a stingray at a petting aquarium and then eating finger food without washing hands? My son did this today with an aide. He complained of severe tummy issues a few hours later but then seemed okay. Just wondering if anyone was aware of any bacterial cause for concern?

Basic chores are what you want them to do no matter what and it's really what is important to you. Making their bed, cleaning their room, putting their laundry away, helping with the dishes, etc. For extra chores for pay, we have had a list on the fridge and it works great. We pay ten cents per mirror that is cleaned, 25 cents per grocery bag full of leaves, $1 for cleaning out the shoe closet, 50 cents for cleaning out the linen closet, $1 for matching my huge hamper of mismatched socks, and other chores like the bathroom, cleaning out a drawer, cleaning a shelf in the fridge, re-organizing the pantry, etc. I just look around the house and gather ideas. I'll pay more for a job I don't like to do (the shoe closet) and I'll also pay a little bonus for a job done really well.

AH! This used to happen to me in elementary school. It always freaked me out. It never "hurt" bad, but it did feel odd and I didn't do anything to bring it on. The doctor said it was a gas in my knuckle reacting to temperature change. The gas expands, throwing the joint out of whack. Every time it happened it went away on its own, sometimes a day later, sometimes a few hours later. I hope that's all it is for you, and nothing serious. :001_smile:

LOL Imp asked me about that story a few weeks ago. She hadn't heard it. :lol:

That sounds agreeable. I'm pretty excited too! I wonder what I'll wear... OOPS... did I just say "Does anyone have any objects" instead of objections? hee hee!

No, no. Friday's no good. Saturday after swimming lessons works here, that's okay, right Denise? Anyone have any objects for a Saturday afternoon delivery?