I was thinking about yesterday’s post, and this new endeavor to dive into a health/nutrition/biomedical approach to..um, what’s the right word..not “cure”, alleviate, perhaps…well, anyway, our new attempt to reduce Zoe’s symptoms so that perhaps she can be fully included in the kindergarten we want her to go to in September.
I was reading another blog I love, All 4 My Girls, reading about Tarenne’s web show, thinking how awesome this kid is, when I started wondering what was I so afraid if, indeed, my best efforts to a biomedical approach don’t have the hoped-for results?
I had to call a can of shenanigans on my own ass.
Because here I am, writing this blog, ranting on and on about acceptance, inclusion, level playing fields, blah blah blah, and yet, I’m having the darnedest* time accepting Zoe just as she is. Now, I’m not going to lie – I hope this does have the desired outcome, not just for me, but for Zoe, and for Amelia, and for my family as a whole. Tantrums and inattentiveness to discipline efforts and nudity** really throw things like peace and good will out the window. If I weren’t devoted to God, I’d be on Prozac or Effexor or something.
BUT if for some reason, there is no toxicity in her body and this is how she is, what then? Then I screw on my praying cap to get me through the days, and find discipline solutions that I have not encountered yet, and accept my girl, wholly, unconditionally and take her for the blessing I know in my gut she is. I treat her like God treats me on days when I’m my a-hole-est: with unconditional love and acceptance, and forgiveness for what she does not know, and what she does. Learn, as I’m trying to now, to laugh at the stuff, both big and little, and just move along when it gets ugly.
This is the job, folks, parenting from the soul on down.
*Darnedest?? Seriously that is a word? It’s coming up good in my spell check, which is shocking as I had to try to spell it 3 or 4 times – really??
** Not full nudity, she just won’t wear her shirt, in the car, or the bus, or in front of the house, or if it gets wet. Seriously. She does not care if it’s a frosty, sub-freezing day. Never mind the whole social thing… We really need to a solution before she has boobs.
admin says
Thank you, Trish, that is encouraging!
admin says
Thank you, Trish, that is encouraging!
frugal baby says
Our unconditional love is part of their cure. Love,Live,and Laugh might also be good medicine. Thanks for sharing.
admin says
You are SO right on!!
frugal baby says
Our unconditional love is part of their cure. Love,Live,and Laugh might also be good medicine. Thanks for sharing.
admin says
You are SO right on!!
Connie Corey says
I have followed your blog for some time and so admire all that you are doing for your family!
My only question is how being devoted to God keeps you from taking meds? Maybe I am missing something, but I didn’t know they were mutually exclusive. I am not trying to be mean, I just don’t understand.
admin says
Hi Connie! I apologize, I didn’t mean to imply that they are mutually exclusive. I was trying to be funny – that faith has kept me from LOSING it big time, on a daily basis. God gives me peace and serenity in the midst of the worst storms – and if I didn’t have that, I would definitely need something else to make it through the day. THAT’s how much I lean on God.
As far as medication, because I’m on cumadin the rest of my life just to maintain proper blood flow, it’s a tricky situation ever I need medication – a delicate balance, because blood thinners cannot mix with all drugs. So one way or another, I’m better off without any other medication when possible.
Above that, I’ve always been leery of medication – and I do know that what I take now is something I’ll have to watch as well. My husband is struggling because his last doctor put him right away on a high dosage of something that is not easy to ween off, so I believe that everyone should be careful going on or off medications no matter what the doctor says. For me, it’s just a requirement.
Connie Corey says
I have followed your blog for some time and so admire all that you are doing for your family!
My only question is how being devoted to God keeps you from taking meds? Maybe I am missing something, but I didn’t know they were mutually exclusive. I am not trying to be mean, I just don’t understand.
admin says
Hi Connie! I apologize, I didn’t mean to imply that they are mutually exclusive. I was trying to be funny – that faith has kept me from LOSING it big time, on a daily basis. God gives me peace and serenity in the midst of the worst storms – and if I didn’t have that, I would definitely need something else to make it through the day. THAT’s how much I lean on God.
As far as medication, because I’m on cumadin the rest of my life just to maintain proper blood flow, it’s a tricky situation ever I need medication – a delicate balance, because blood thinners cannot mix with all drugs. So one way or another, I’m better off without any other medication when possible.
Above that, I’ve always been leery of medication – and I do know that what I take now is something I’ll have to watch as well. My husband is struggling because his last doctor put him right away on a high dosage of something that is not easy to ween off, so I believe that everyone should be careful going on or off medications no matter what the doctor says. For me, it’s just a requirement.
Connie Corey says
Ok, gotcha. Now I understand. I was hoping you wouldn’t exclude me since I am both devoted to God AND on meds! 🙂
admin says
I don’t exclude anyone!! Connie, you are definitely one of my treasured readers 🙂
I ALSO totally get that just like the way I need medication because my body doesn’t make enough synthroid, it’s the same with meds that affect brain chemistry. My husband is on meds, too. I just want people to be careful when deciding about medication…they have changed his moods severely and not always for the better. He changed one ball & chain for another that hurt our marriage (all better now, script had to be changed).
love & peace to you, and have a happy holiday!
Connie Corey says
Ok, gotcha. Now I understand. I was hoping you wouldn’t exclude me since I am both devoted to God AND on meds! 🙂
admin says
I don’t exclude anyone!! Connie, you are definitely one of my treasured readers 🙂
I ALSO totally get that just like the way I need medication because my body doesn’t make enough synthroid, it’s the same with meds that affect brain chemistry. My husband is on meds, too. I just want people to be careful when deciding about medication…they have changed his moods severely and not always for the better. He changed one ball & chain for another that hurt our marriage (all better now, script had to be changed).
love & peace to you, and have a happy holiday!
Jessica says
This blog entry had me laughing, very cute! I think we all struggle with the same self-assessments, it’s natural when our children don’t fit into the mold we call society. We don’t want them to feel so different that they are made fun of and we don’t want them to be socially inept, we want happiness and health for them. And health is the big picture here. As long as we are working our darndest (couldn’t resist) to get them healthy, what we are left with is who they are, but who are we to decide who they SHOULD be? There is a huge ball of wax that encompasses their health and personality, they are intertwined at times and pulling them carefully apart is the key. I personally love my own quirkiness so I hope to teach my son to embrace his differences in the world.
Jessica
admin says
Thanks, Jessica! We do all struggle, true. I want my kids to be who they are…and I see their differences from each other, and from myself and Chris. We shouldn’t decide who they should be BUT I don’t think there is anything wrong with teaching them our values. “Ball of wax” is a great way to look at personality! Explains it perfectly.
Jessica says
This blog entry had me laughing, very cute! I think we all struggle with the same self-assessments, it’s natural when our children don’t fit into the mold we call society. We don’t want them to feel so different that they are made fun of and we don’t want them to be socially inept, we want happiness and health for them. And health is the big picture here. As long as we are working our darndest (couldn’t resist) to get them healthy, what we are left with is who they are, but who are we to decide who they SHOULD be? There is a huge ball of wax that encompasses their health and personality, they are intertwined at times and pulling them carefully apart is the key. I personally love my own quirkiness so I hope to teach my son to embrace his differences in the world.
Jessica
admin says
Thanks, Jessica! We do all struggle, true. I want my kids to be who they are…and I see their differences from each other, and from myself and Chris. We shouldn’t decide who they should be BUT I don’t think there is anything wrong with teaching them our values. “Ball of wax” is a great way to look at personality! Explains it perfectly.
Jessica says
PS – do some research on iodine deficiency and thyroid (Grave’s) for yourself, you will be amazed at what you find. I am now supplementing with iodine for hypothyroidism that I never knew existed before! I have so few symptoms, but they are there and then some alternative testing confirmed it!
Jessica says
PS – do some research on iodine deficiency and thyroid (Grave’s) for yourself, you will be amazed at what you find. I am now supplementing with iodine for hypothyroidism that I never knew existed before! I have so few symptoms, but they are there and then some alternative testing confirmed it!