Sandra Dodd

-=-I just read this little article in the news and it says what a lot of
people have been saying on this list for a long time! -=-

Thank you for that link!

I've added it to my myths page

http://sandradodd.com/myths

which made me realize I hadn't added "Myths" to the titles by Holly page

http://sandradodd.com/art/title/hollytitles

So there are enough follow-the-links bits for anyone who might have
had the slightest need to surf the unschooling corner of the web.



Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

raisingexplorers

I am one who used to believe that sugar was the culprit behind some of
my son's more rambunctious behavior. Until I read several articles
about the myth. I decided to observe more objectively to draw my own
conclusion on the matter.

I began observation before reducing restrictions I had in place
regarding sugary treats. What I found is that even the mere mention of
something sweet caused a bit of excitement in my son. If I offered him
something sweet, he would get a bit fidgety with anticipation..
possibly break out in a little victory dance or hop up and down and
say 'goody!' This is before he ever even accepted the treat.

After I gave him the treat, the excitement of getting something
special and sometimes the frustration of still craving more remained
for a short period. In fact, if he asked for more and I replied with a
"no," his behavior worsened. Not because of the sugar, but because he
wasn't permitted to have something he wanted.

The fact is, he would get excited over a sugar-free cookie. It wasn't
that he was behaving differently, just happy to get something
special.. like opening a christmas present.

When I realized that it was not actually sugar and more just the
thrill of getting something special and subsequent frustration at
knowing he wouldn't get anymore for a while, I reduced restrictions on
sugary treats. Now, my son generally eats what he wants when he wants
it. I've noticed that the excitement of getting something he likes,
that he's not normally allowed to have has diminished greatly and he
pretty much acts the same whether he's eating spinach or cookies.

He still gets excited about special treats we don't often indulge,
like donuts for breakfast or holiday desserts.

Dina

i just recently came to the realization that the sugar thing was a myth. glad there is
evidence to prove it!

thanks sandra for adding it to your page of myths. i really needed to read that page,
especially the one about kids being "spoiled". i've been hearing my mom's voice in my
head recently saying, "you can't always get your way!" and needed a wake up call.

thanks,
dina

--- In [email protected], "Jenny C" <jenstarc4@...> wrote:
>
>
> I just read this little article in the news and it says what a lot of
> people have been saying on this list for a long time! Sugar doesn't
> make kids hyper, a scientific study proves it...
>
> http://www.usnews.com/articles/science/medical-science/2008/12/17/5-surp\
> rising-holiday-health-myths.html
> <http://www.usnews.com/articles/science/medical-science/2008/12/17/5-sur\
> prising-holiday-health-myths.html>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Sandra Dodd

-=-hanks sandra for adding it to your page of myths. i really needed
to read that page,
especially the one about kids being "spoiled". i've been hearing my
mom's voice in my
head recently saying, "you can't always get your way!" and needed a
wake up call.-=-



You're welcome!

Here's something else that might help with mom-voices in heads (but
if your mom-voices are sweet and nurturing, you won't need this!)



http://sandradodd.com/rentalk

at the bottom... the talk itself!



Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Lyla Wolfenstein

i thought i'd share a recent example of the extinction of the "forbidden fruit" syndrome that has come from eliminating controls on foods/desserts.

the kids have chocolate advent calendars, and my son was pretty excited about it when we first got it. but the last three days, he has been happy to open it, but has wanted me or his dad or sister to eat the chocolate.

he told me today he is kind of sick of chocolate at the moment and also doesn't want to have too much before christmas so he will enjoy what's in his stocking.

this is my child who i swore would eat sugar and ONLY sugar "if i let......"

as a toddler he stuffed so many chocolate easter eggs in his mouth at once he gagged and threw up.

now - he still loves dessert, but often chooses other things instead and even turns down desserts on a regular basis.

it took 9 months of trust to get there.

Lyla

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

sanna darby

Hello,I am still blaming the synthetic food additives (Overview of Feingold Program http://www.feingold.org/pg-overview.html ) that often come in commercially bought sweets. I am going to do my own experiments to test my hypothesis. Tis the season!My 9 yr old son who is reading my email beside me here, thinks "its the stress of NOT having sugar " that changes kid's behaviour!Cheers,SannaTo: [email protected]: raisingexplorers@...: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:13:48 +0000Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Re: sugar doesn't make kids hyper... now we know!


















I am one who used to believe that sugar was the culprit behind some of
my son's more rambunctious behavior. Until I read several articles
about the myth. I decided to observe more objectively to draw my own
conclusion on the matter.

I began observation before reducing restrictions I had in place
regarding sugary treats. What I found is that even the mere mention of
something sweet caused a bit of excitement in my son. If I offered him
something sweet, he would get a bit fidgety with anticipation..
possibly break out in a little victory dance or hop up and down and
say 'goody!' This is before he ever even accepted the treat.

After I gave him the treat, the excitement of getting something
special and sometimes the frustration of still craving more remained
for a short period. In fact, if he asked for more and I replied with a
"no," his behavior worsened. Not because of the sugar, but because he
wasn't permitted to have something he wanted.

The fact is, he would get excited over a sugar-free cookie. It wasn't
that he was behaving differently, just happy to get something
special.. like opening a christmas present.

When I realized that it was not actually sugar and more just the
thrill of getting something special and subsequent frustration at
knowing he wouldn't get anymore for a while, I reduced restrictions on
sugary treats. Now, my son generally eats what he wants when he wants
it. I've noticed that the excitement of getting something he likes,
that he's not normally allowed to have has diminished greatly and he
pretty much acts the same whether he's eating spinach or cookies.

He still gets excited about special treats we don't often indulge,
like donuts for breakfast or holiday desserts.

















_________________________________________________________________



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=-I am still blaming the synthetic food additives-=-

You don't even have to leave the place you're sitting to make an
internal change so that you can stop blaming anything or anyone. If
you move toward helping your child make choices and feel his own body
and his own needs, and accept that it's by making choices that people
learn to make better choices, you can let go of that harshness and
negativity and resentment and fear.

Sandra
http://sandradodd.com/food
http://sandradodd.com/choices

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Melissa Dietrick

> You don't even have to leave the place you're sitting to make an
> internal change so that you can stop blaming anything or anyone.

> If you move toward helping your child make choices and feel his own
> body and his own needs, and accept that it's by making choices that
> people learn to make better choices, you can let go of that
> harshness and negativity and resentment and fear.
>
> Sandra
> http://sandradodd.com/food
> http://sandradodd.com/choices


the simplicity of your words coupled with their striking truth is
astonishing...thanks!

melissa in italy
mamma of 7

sanna darby

Sandra,Yes, I agree with you in principle. I used the word "blame" as in cause/effect.In terms of chemical food additives we avoid them because we have noticed we feel better. My son was joking, sorry I left off the.SannaTo: [email protected]: Sandra@...: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:41:13 -0700Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] Re: sugar doesn't make kids hyper... now we know!


















-=-I am still blaming the synthetic food additives-=-

You don't even have to leave the place you're sitting to make an
internal change so that you can stop blaming anything or anyone. If
you move toward helping your child make choices and feel his own body
and his own needs, and accept that it's by making choices that people
learn to make better choices, you can let go of that harshness and
negativity and resentment and fear.

Sandra
http://sandradodd.com/food
http://sandradodd.com/choices

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

















_________________________________________________________________
Keep in touch and up to date with friends and family. Make the connection now.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

k

Yes. Karl really has zero extra excitement about run of the mill sugar
treats. Sugary muffins with icing for breakfast while we're visiting
relatives... no hopping and bopping.. just eating breakfast. Yeh. Then
there are certain things he likes especially that we might not always have
on hand (because we forget and he doesn't think of them or remember to make
requests of them or whatever) and when they suddenly show up he *is* like
"oh cool!" and will down 2 or 3 or however many. We had a run on a new
discovery of marshmallows around Thanksgiving.

But as far as the sugar itself making Karl hyper. Nah, he is himself as
usual after super sugar-sweetened muffins with icing. It's pretty much the
same as eggs and bacon breakfast or cereal breakfast. Not any different
that *I* can tell. Brian swears that sugar makes kids hyper though
(probably because it's common so called wisdom that he wouldn't dream of
giving up considering the work done on Karl's teeth or something like
that). ;)

~Katherine




On Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:13 AM, raisingexplorers wrote:

> I am one who used to believe that sugar was the culprit behind some of
> my son's more rambunctious behavior. Until I read several articles
> about the myth. I decided to observe more objectively to draw my own
> conclusion on the matter.
>
> I began observation before reducing restrictions I had in place
> regarding sugary treats. What I found is that even the mere mention of
> something sweet caused a bit of excitement in my son. If I offered him
> something sweet, he would get a bit fidgety with anticipation..
> possibly break out in a little victory dance or hop up and down and
> say 'goody!' This is before he ever even accepted the treat.
>
> After I gave him the treat, the excitement of getting something
> special and sometimes the frustration of still craving more remained
> for a short period. In fact, if he asked for more and I replied with a
> "no," his behavior worsened. Not because of the sugar, but because he
> wasn't permitted to have something he wanted.
>
> The fact is, he would get excited over a sugar-free cookie. It wasn't
> that he was behaving differently, just happy to get something
> special.. like opening a christmas present.
>
> When I realized that it was not actually sugar and more just the
> thrill of getting something special and subsequent frustration at
> knowing he wouldn't get anymore for a while, I reduced restrictions on
> sugary treats. Now, my son generally eats what he wants when he wants
> it. I've noticed that the excitement of getting something he likes,
> that he's not normally allowed to have has diminished greatly and he
> pretty much acts the same whether he's eating spinach or cookies.
>
> He still gets excited about special treats we don't often indulge,
> like donuts for breakfast or holiday desserts.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

k

>>>he is himself as usual after super sugar-sweetened muffins with icing.
It's pretty much the same as eggs and bacon breakfast or cereal breakfast<<<

Ok I did want to distinguish between immediate effects and long range
effects, which I wasn't referring to. Long range effects of total dietary
consumption of sugar would probably be different.

~Katherine


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jenny C

> >>>he is himself as usual after super sugar-sweetened muffins with
icing.
> It's pretty much the same as eggs and bacon breakfast or cereal
breakfast<<<
>
> Ok I did want to distinguish between immediate effects and long range
> effects, which I wasn't referring to. Long range effects of total
dietary
> consumption of sugar would probably be different.


I think any long range study of total dietary consumption of sugar would
be hard. As a kid, I liked all sugar and sweet things. As an adult, I
really don't like candy much at all, and since I can't eat gluten, I
rarely eat cookies and cakes and such because the gluten free kind are
expensive and more difficult to make myself. I put sugar in my coffee
and that's about it, except the occasional goodie.

So, even in a long range study, people's tastes change and their diets
change, so I think it would all balance out for each individual. I
really don't think sugar is bad for people. I think anything that is
overconsumed could be potentially harmful, but I know that if people can
eat what they want when they want, they won't overconsume, unless of
course they have had food issues in the past.

cathyandgarth

--- In [email protected], k <katherand@...> wrote:
>
> Nah, he is himself as
> usual after super sugar-sweetened muffins with icing. It's pretty
much the
> same as eggs and bacon breakfast or cereal breakfast. Not any
different
> that *I* can tell.


My son has been in a Trix cereal phase, it was almost all he was
eating until late in the day. I didn't notice any hyperactivity, or
attention deficit, or anything generally associated to sugars and
artificial flavors and colors ... but by late afternnon he was
feeling very emotionally fragile, and I think this was more related
to lack of calories and protien than too much sugar. So we started
talking about food choices, trying to work together to find some
additional foods. He is pretty even keeled emotionally speaking, so
the extreme tears and screaming were quite a surprise for both of
us. Both times, when I encouraged him to eat a little protien he
felt himself regain stability.

But he really was wanting sweet foods, he said that his stomach was
only feeling good when he ate sweet foods and the cheese and salami
was making him feel nauseous. I started to read all the nutritional
labels ... turns out 1/2 cup of HaaganDaz icecream has more protien
that 1/2 cup of yogurt. If he eats 8 oz of icecream he will have
more protien than if he eats a 1" cube of cheese (plus more calories
and fats -- which he can use given how active he is and the cold
weather). It was perfect, now we know that if he is craving sweets
and needs a little protien to help balance him out, he can eat a bowl
of icecream and get everything he needs.

But then today he ate a soft boiled egg and a ton of bacon for
breakfast ... he listens to his body, the value of a sweet breakfast
versus a savory breakfast comes from his internal sensors not from
any external source.

Cathy

lyeping2008

I think our situation seems to point out- in moderation, everything's
ok.

We're currently in the middle of diet elimination process coz DS has
been very high-energy for the past 3 weeks.

We know for a fact that sugar doesn't make him hyper, BUT we're
suspecting the milk in his past 3 weeks or so's daily breakfast bowl
of his favourite Nestle Golden nugget might just be the culprit here.
Not saying DS is allergic to diary, but then maybe a daily bowl full
of milk might just be too much. DS likes Frosties too, and he seems
fine eating it. So we're alternating his breakfast between cereals and
eggs and toast and pancakes, like we did before.

So, it's been a week now, we stuck to soft bowl eggs with cornflakes
(i know this sounds yukky, but it works coz the cornflakes is actually
salty). He's all of the sudden calmed yesterday and this morning, woke
up nice and easy (unlike the past 3 weeks whereby he literally sprung
out of bed the minute his eyes opened LOL!), able to focus on what
he's doing and able to "hear" what we're saying and glad to say, less
accident prone.

Again, like yogurt especially the organic type. Strange when he had
those sugar loaded normal kiddie ones, he seems fine. But when we
swithced into an organic brand, if I remember correctly, too much of
it seems to coincidde with his erratic mood. So nowadays, he's only
have a small cup amount daily.

Too much crisp and cornchips also trigger off his hyperness. But then
like i said, if it's there, it's meant to be eaten. So if we buy any,
I'm prepared to let him go thru the whole bag until it's finished.

And chewing gum too. DS loves chewing gum, and i'm convinced it's the
aspartame. Unfortunately, I can't seems to find aspartame free minty
gum here in UK.


Hope this helps.

Hugs,
Sharon

Sandra Dodd

-=-We're currently in the middle of diet elimination process coz DS has
been very high-energy for the past 3 weeks. -=-



What's wrong with high energy? Are you two introverted parents with
an extroverted child?

Is Christmas exciting?

Have you had company or been travelling?

-=-He's all of the sudden calmed yesterday and this morning, woke up
nice and easy (unlike the past 3 weeks whereby he literally sprung
out of bed the minute his eyes opened LOL!)-=-

There's nothing wrong with waking up happy and exciting and springing
out of bed.

-=-But when we swithced into an organic brand, if I remember
correctly, too much of it seems to coincidde with his erratic mood. -=-

"Erratic mood"?

-=-And chewing gum too. DS loves chewing gum, and i'm convinced it's
the aspartame.--=-

Why not get chewing gum with sugar then? It will be gone in the
first few minutes anyway. The sweetness is the first thing to be
dissolved in sugary gum.

There's a lot of mom-feeling and mushiness in what you wrote. "I'm
convinced," "if I remember correctly," and "seems to." Instead of
trying to prevent his high energy, can you plan for it and count on it?

Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

BRIAN POLIKOWSKY

A few things to look into:
Gums with xylitol: those even help avoid cavities and taste awesome ( we alwasy have a big stash)

http://www.epicdental.com/c-22-cavity-fighting-gum.aspx
http://www.xlear.com/spry/

Some people swear raw milk is better. We only drink raw but we have a dairy so its easy for us.
I can drink tons of raw milk and I get not gas or upset, if I drink homogenized milk I have LOTS of both.
here is more info:
http://www.realmilk.com/

I also want to note that I see some parents always blaming a behaviour to some food. I am not saying that artificial dyes, or any food sensitivity are not a culprit.
I have come ,in my life, to figure its always a combination of factors that influence how one "behaves".
Was your son excited about Christmas? a new game? any changes in his life?
How is his health? has he been eating  normal for him?
New development milestones being achieved?
Any changes in the weather? the household?
How are you interacting with him? Less time? More time?
any changes in your relashioship with him? or how you react to him?
Has he been drinking less water than he needs ? maybe a little dehydrated?
Have you had visitors in your home? has he made a new friend he is excited about?
Is he just energetic because his life is good and he is happy?
There is so much that can , together or not with a sensibility, cause changes in ones behaviour.
That is my opinion on it.


 
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

diana jenner

>
> we stuck to soft bowl eggs with cornflakes
> (i know this sounds yukky, but it works coz the cornflakes is actually
> salty). He's all of the sudden calmed yesterday and this morning, woke
> up nice and easy
>

Mr Kellogg will be happy -- he promoted the consumption of (his) cornflakes
(and graham crackers and other bland foods) to purposely *not* excite one's
spirit (masturbation/sex was evil & spicy foods lead to spicy libidos).
Lots of this Hyper from Sugar conjecture comes from these days of
suppressing one's spirit on most levels.
http://virgil.azwestern.edu/~dag/lol/SexGraham&Kellogg.html<http://virgil.azwestern.edu/%7Edag/lol/SexGraham&Kellogg.html>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harvey_Kellogg
Reading these articles makes me wanna read/see/listen to Like
Water<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103994/> for
Chocolate <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like_Water_for_Chocolate> -- there's
some REAL physical responses to foods ;)


(unlike the past 3 weeks whereby he literally sprung out of bed the minute
> his eyes opened LOL!),
>

Perhaps there's a better way to describe the change... this seems very sad
to me, that waking quietly is judged *better than* waking up with zeal &
zest?! One of my favorite lines from Hitchcock is "Wake up every day like
it's on purpose" -- why would you want to suppress someone doing *just
that*???

~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.blogspot.com
hannahsashes.blogspot.com
dianas365.blogspot.com


On Sat, Dec 27, 2008 at 1:39 PM, lyeping2008 <lyeping2008@...>wrote:

> I think our situation seems to point out- in moderation, everything's
> ok.
>
> We're currently in the middle of diet elimination process coz DS has
> been very high-energy for the past 3 weeks.
>
> We know for a fact that sugar doesn't make him hyper, BUT we're
> suspecting the milk in his past 3 weeks or so's daily breakfast bowl
> of his favourite Nestle Golden nugget might just be the culprit here.
> Not saying DS is allergic to diary, but then maybe a daily bowl full
> of milk might just be too much. DS likes Frosties too, and he seems
> fine eating it. So we're alternating his breakfast between cereals and
> eggs and toast and pancakes, like we did before.
>
> So, it's been a week now, we stuck to soft bowl eggs with cornflakes
> (i know this sounds yukky, but it works coz the cornflakes is actually
> salty). He's all of the sudden calmed yesterday and this morning, woke
> up nice and easy (unlike the past 3 weeks whereby he literally sprung
> out of bed the minute his eyes opened LOL!), able to focus on what
> he's doing and able to "hear" what we're saying and glad to say, less
> accident prone.
>
> Again, like yogurt especially the organic type. Strange when he had
> those sugar loaded normal kiddie ones, he seems fine. But when we
> swithced into an organic brand, if I remember correctly, too much of
> it seems to coincidde with his erratic mood. So nowadays, he's only
> have a small cup amount daily.
>
> Too much crisp and cornchips also trigger off his hyperness. But then
> like i said, if it's there, it's meant to be eaten. So if we buy any,
> I'm prepared to let him go thru the whole bag until it's finished.
>
> And chewing gum too. DS loves chewing gum, and i'm convinced it's the
> aspartame. Unfortunately, I can't seems to find aspartame free minty
> gum here in UK.
>
> Hope this helps
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

lyeping2008

--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...>
wrote: What's wrong with high energy? Are you two introverted
parents with an extroverted child?


Hi Sandra,

Merry Xmas and hope you and family had a wonderful day.

LOL!! I'm glad you wrote the above. Funny, I never thought of it
that way, but i'm liking this perspective you've switched me onto.
Yes, i agree, me and hubby is introvert and DS is definetelt an
extrovert. Which explain what you've advise below, which i totally
agree. Nothing wrong with it.
> There's nothing wrong with waking up happy and exciting and >
springing out of bed.


> "Erratic mood"? > Why not get chewing gum with sugar then? It
will be gone in the first few minutes anyway.

I'm trying very hard to source non-aspartame gums in UK but with no
success. Seems like the only option is to buy in bulk from a US
online site. They seems to advertise non-aspartame Wrigleys
doublemint and spearmint sticks.

Well erratic mood for DS means, he's so high energy that he's easily
excitable by anything that he seems to want to do a million things
all at the same time, then get angry because he couldn'tdecide. He
can also switched to low moods at any moment, due to either
accidently hurting himself or frustration over simple things, mostly
computer games. When he is in this frame of mind, he tends to jump
alot, on sofa, on floor, or on me, it's like he's on an obstacle
course through out the day.


> There's a lot of mom-feeling and mushiness in what you
wrote. "I'm convinced," "if I remember correctly," and "seems
to." Instead of trying to prevent his high energy, can you plan
for it and count on it?

Yeah, I agree, there's alot of mum-feeling weariness and mushiness
above. Well, I guess, as much as I can plan and expect and
accomodate his energy, there's still a limit to however much knocks
i can take (today i got a busted lip coz DS decided to crash into me
for a bear hug and as I reciprocate his hug, he dedide to jump up
LOL!! hence a spliting my lips) and high emotional outburst to
placate when he is on the extreme end.

Have a lovely holiday and all the best for 2009.

Hugs,
SharonBugs.

lyeping2008

--- In [email protected], BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
<polykowholsteins@...> wrote:
> I also want to note that I see some parents always blaming a
behaviour to some food. I am not saying that artificial dyes, or any
food sensitivity are not a culprit.
> I have come ,in my life, to figure its always a combination of
factors that influence how one "behaves".
> Was your son excited about Christmas? a new game? any changes in
his life?
> How is his health? has he been eating  normal for him?
> New development milestones being achieved?
> Any changes in the weather? the household?
> How are you interacting with him? Less time? More time?
> any changes in your relashioship with him? or how you react to him?
> Has he been drinking less water than he needs ? maybe a little
dehydrated?
> Have you had visitors in your home? has he made a new friend he is
excited about?
> Is he just energetic because his life is good and he is happy?
> There is so much that can , together or not with a sensibility,
cause changes in ones behaviour.
> That is my opinion on it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the list, got hubby to print it out. Don't know about raw
milk, but anyhow i don;t think the local farmer will sell us some,
due to heatlh and safety rules.

Have a lovely Xmas, and Joyous New Year.

Hugs,
ShARONbUGS.

lyeping2008

--- In [email protected], "diana jenner" <hahamommy@...>
wrote:
> (unlike the past 3 weeks whereby he literally sprung out of bed the
minute his eyes opened LOL!),
> Perhaps there's a better way to describe the change... this seems
very sad to me, that waking quietly is judged *better than* waking up
with zeal & zest?! One of my favorite lines from Hitchcock is "Wake
up every day like it's on purpose" -- why would you want to suppress
someone doing *just that*???
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Diana,

I know it sounds sad, and yes, Ds is certainly full of purpose every
morning. But i would certainly think being woken up by someone jumping
and landing on me, or being kicked in the face by a jumping boy who
literally springs up from the bed (we co-sleep), EVERY morning is abit
too overzealous and over zest, don't you think?

I know it's sad, but I do wish for my son to continue to wake up
enthusiatically, but with less springs.

Best Wishes,
SharonBugs.

Schuyler

I can get raw milk near us in Norfolk, but don't based on things Alex mentioned when we visited there this summer (the raw milk we had at their dairy was amazing), I can't remember where y'all are, but I bet there is a dairy that will do it.

Schuyler




________________________________


Hi Alex,

Thanks for the list, got hubby to print it out. Don't know about raw
milk, but anyhow i don;t think the local farmer will sell us some,
due to heatlh and safety rules.

Have a lovely Xmas, and Joyous New Year.

Hugs,
ShARONbUGS.


------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

diana jenner

I'm trying very hard to source non-aspartame gums in UK but with no
success. Seems like the only option is to buy in bulk from a US
online site. They seems to advertise non-aspartame Wrigleys
doublemint and spearmint sticks.

I avoid aspartame as much as I can... and sometimes I just gotta have bubble
gum!! Commercial, current, Wrigley's, unfortunately, is no longer the
answer - most contain sugar, corn syrup AND aspartame...
I have found, when Hayden wants this kind of gum, that it's best for my
thoughts to turn to what is *good and right* about this situation instead of
focusing on the conjectured fears of the artificial sweetener -- "My son's
Joy (my relationship with my son, providing him what he needs, etc) is more
important than what I fear." (and *I* get it!! DH had a brain tumor, he
wasn't allowed aspartame even by accident because of the havoc it would
wreak with his brain's electricity).
Also, when I think of Fear, I think of Forgetting Everything is All Right,
and move back to remembering ;)
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.blogspot.com
hannahsashes.blogspot.com
dianas365.blogspot.com




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=-I know it's sad, but I do wish for my son to continue to wake up
enthusiatically, but with less springs. -=-



Then tell him not to jump on you.

Don't restrict his diet in hopes of a magical change.



Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

diana jenner

I know it sounds sad, and yes, Ds is certainly full of purpose every
morning. But i would certainly think being woken up by someone jumping and
landing on me, or being kicked in the face by a jumping boy who
literally springs up from the bed (we co-sleep), EVERY morning is a bit too
overzealous and over zest, don't you think?

I can't know, as I'm not *him*... No I'd certainly not appreciate a violent
waking & Yes, I'd find another way for him to get his bounces out
(trampoline right next to the bed? Single bed for jumping? a morning dance
ritual? Raffi's Shake Your Sillies is a good one!)

I know it's sad, but I do wish for my son to continue to wake up
enthusiastically, but with less springs.

It's tough for me, as I'd give *anything* to be awakened *just one more
time* by an over zealous Hannah...
Keep *her* in mind the next time your son is *too much* - really, you'll
miss more than you think when this is gone...
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.blogspot.com
hannahsashes.blogspot.com
dianas365.blogspot.com


.
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

lyeping2008

--- In [email protected], "diana jenner"
<hahamommy@...> wrote:
> It's tough for me, as I'd give *anything* to be awakened *just one
more time* by an over zealous Hannah...
> Keep *her* in mind the next time your son is *too much* - really,
you'll miss more than you think when this is gone...
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Diana, I'm sorry if I've replied back in a very self pitying way. I
didn't know about Hannah, but i do now. When I read your blog, i
broke down in tears, ashamed of myself.

I truly see your point now, and yes, everytime when it gets too much
for me, I will remember Hannah.

My gratitude to you, for putting my perspective straight. Thank you.

Best Wishes,
SharonBugs.

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/28/2008 1:55:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
lyeping2008@... writes:

<<<(today i got a busted lip coz DS decided to crash into me
for a bear hug and as I reciprocate his hug, he dedide to jump up
LOL!! hence a spliting my lips)>>>



Storm (4) does this to Dave and I a lot, and occasionally Wyl (9), though
since he's smaller, Wyl doesn't get it as much. Over the last 3 years of
seemingly-unexpected quick movements, split lips and bitten tongues, Dave and I
have learned to either "chin up" or turn our heads aside. Sometimes I *do*
forget and then I just kick myself for forgetting! :~)

Both my boys are high energy and constantly on the move. I was like that
when I was younger, too. My need for movement was trained down into vibrating my
leg or bouncing my knee because I moved "too much", according to my mother.
Even that eventually went by the wayside because she "couldn't stand" my leg
bouncing. Now that I've read how many calories that burns, I wish I could
re-integrate it into myself! People often see my boys in public with their high
energy and say something like, "At least they'll sleep well, tonight". Well,
no. They're always high energy. It doesn't wear them out-in fact, sometimes, I
think energy begets more energy! But, I'm glad they're in a family where
high energy is cool and not something to be controlled or "used" as a sleep
inducer, and I just smile at the other person. Sometimes I correct them,
sometimes I don't.

When my boys' energy seems to get to a frenetic level where they seem to
feel *it* is controlling *them*, we try to do huge energy users with them:
bouncing on the trampoline (uses *much* more energy than jumping on the couch),
restraint games, full-out running-and-yellling-and-waving-of-arms activity. One
of the boys' favorites is one we call "Escape". An adult wraps a child (or
sometimes, big brother with little brother) in their arms and legs, holding
snugly to avoid wiggle-out, and we gloat in an "evil" voice, "I've got you,
now! You'll never escape!" repeating as they struggle to force our arms away
from them (as they giggle wildly) so they can get away. It used to be easier
when we first started, but they are getting *strong*!! So, now we have to play
several rounds, because they don't use the huge amounts of energy in one round
that they used to. Tickling is a great energy-user as well... all that
struggle and laughter... Dave and I just have to remember to listen well for
"stop", so that we can stop immediately. Which is often followed right up by "go"
or "tickle" or "more", because they enjoy it so much. But we only employ
these techniques when they seem controlled by or overwhelmed by the extreme end
of their energy. Most of the time there is lots of running, bouncing, yelling,
wrestling, jumping-out-and-boo-ing, screaming with the thrill, sliding,
tumbling, and other energy outputs here. It is just who they are and their
activities are joyful to all of us (most of the time). Funny, they're happy to sit
and paint quietly sometimes with Grandma... but maybe that's because they
know they can be loud and active any time at home.

The unschooling groups really helped us adjust our thinking on high energy,
*and* we got some ideas, but mostly it was seeing what worked in our family
as we went along. "Escape" may not work for some kids just like other kids'
solutions don't work for our kids.

We have also made adaptations for our kids indoor energy
expenditure-especially for wintertime. They also seem to see uses for things we never would have
on our own! We put a loft bed above a double bed to get rid of the crib, but
no one sleeps on it - however, it seems to have been obvious to the boys
from the beginning that it was some sort of gymnastics equipment! :~) I ask them
to keep it tamed down when I'm still in bed, since it has escalated to being
hit by flying feet, arms, heads, etc. before, but once I'm awake and out of
the way, they've found amazing ways to use it for flips and hanging upside
down, and hanging rightside up! We're in the process of putting in a rope
swing/climber, as well. Having lots of space cleared for big body movements and
activity is something I keep in the forefront of my brain to do. Big movement
games like Twister and Hullabaloo are important, as well. And if all else
fails, finding someplace outside our home and yard for huge activity works, too.

Peace,
De
**************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail,
Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now.
(http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

lyeping2008

--- In [email protected], Sanguinegirl83@... wrote:
Tickling is a great energy-user as well... all that struggle and
laughter... Dave and I just have to remember to listen well for
> "stop", so that we can stop immediately. Which is often followed
right up by "go" > or "tickle" or "more", because they enjoy it so
much.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks De, you've given me plenty of ideas. We tickle alot too, a
great way to break the ice between DS and his dad, a great way to
shift my stress to a more positive grrrr...h, and we all end up
rooling over each other on the floor.

We have an exercise gliding machine (tucked away for a while, i
believe it's time to bring it out again), a mini trampoline(that seems
to be more of a Lego play platform than a bouncing one LOL!) and a big
gym ball (DS loved to bounce and being rolled ontop of it).


Hugs,
SharonBugs.

lyeping2008

--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
> Then tell him not to jump on you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Sandra, it's one of those days when telling him doesn't seems to
work. Seems like he's on selective hearing mode LOL!!

Hugs,
SharonBugs.

cyrusnmayasmama

>
> Don't restrict his diet in hopes of a magical change.
>
Or at least don't do it blindly. My DD(6) was diagnosed with celiac disease and changing
her diet to exclude all gluten and gluten cross contamination DID result in a seemingly
magical change. I am not saying I think this child has celiac disease, but I am saying
gathering information and ruling things out to help a child feel better makes sense. The
more you can do this without seemingly randomly (from the kid's point of view)
controlling your child's choices the better.

Some kids are high energy and happily so. My daughter was high then low and wanted
everything and nothing and when she had gluten in her system she was miserable with not
being able to make sense of any of it. With the gluten gone she has still has highs and
lows in energy and mood, but the energy behind them is different. She can talk about
options and preferences and brainstorm solutions or take a step away and be with anger
or disappointment or choices or confusion or chaos or joy without erratic energy making
her feel totally out of control and without resulting in physical outbursts that frequently
left her or others injured which only upset her even more, especially if she hurt others.

I am sensitive to people seemingly randomly blaming food sensitivities and/or allergies on
normal healthy kid dispositions. I am also sensitive to people dismissing the possibility
when others are exploring it. I am pretty sensitive to some things myself, but food
controls and judgements in my childhood meant that it took me many years into
adulthood to figure out things for my own body - I'm still working on it. My own kids -
who eat what they choose- are pretty wise and very aware of their own bodies. My 8 year
old eats very little dairy because she's found she does better without it and she's decided
that a lot of sugar without some protein makes her feel tired. She takes this info into
account when she makes her choices. She sometimes chooses to eat these things anyway,
and she doesn't beat herself up when she does. I see my role as helping them navigate all
of this without clouding things with my own unresolved issues or prejudices.

My DD with celiac is VERY careful to make sure she does not get any gluten! She is not
willing to suffer the consequences. I do everything I can to make her life amazingly
yummy and abundant in a world that could easily look full of lack for her. For her, not
following a lifelong gluten free diet could have dire health consequences. She is 6 and we
haven't really talked much about that. Eventually she will have that info, but at this time it
is enough for her to eat this way to feel good now. And I'm will be forever grateful that
someone suggested getting her tested even when she didn't have all of the "classic"
symptoms. With that stress on her body gone she can get on with living a joyful life.