Life got in the way of The Red Dress Club challenge this week, but give that link a click to check out the stellar writers who managed to juggle it all. I need lessons.
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This morning, I’m thoroughly privileged to take Youngest to meet the teachers of his 4-year-old preschool class. I’m over the moon for the ladies we’re blessed with – the main teacher a mom to four boys herself. I know this team will ”get” him. I have no fear of them trying to squash his personality or stuff him in a box (metaphorically speaking, of course).
As if.
But meet-the-teacher means PKU explanations and education and paperwork. I’m the mom who needs to pull the teacher aside, take a little more of her time. I so don’t like being that mom.
And then you have the parents - Lord how I hate trying to teach people about this freaky disorder without them thinking my son is a freak – no, no meat, yes that includes tofu, that’s a meat substitute, yes really, yes cake does have protein, I know, it’s crazy, yes, no, no peanut butter either, I know, yes it’s difficult, you get used to it, yes you could totally do it, etc. etc., etc.
Will this year bring understanding parents or another horrified Granola chick like last year – “You couldn’t breast feed him?!” Yes, yes Granola, that was the really devastating part. (For the record – PKU children may be breast fed, but after dropping all 30lbs of pregnancy weight in under three weeks, I wasn’t able to. I got over it.)
There’s such a balance to the lesson. I want people to understand that it’s just food. Just food. But in a society where food is the center to most celebrations, the pace of a day, hell, even art projects (Fruit Loop necklaces anyone?), it’s difficult. But as I type this, I have to laugh – I’ve finally reached the point where trying to teach someone else the importance of this whole genetic mess is the hard part – not actually managing it myself.
He’s just a child. Well, not just any child. He’s my child - brilliant, effervescent, charming.
Let’s focus on that, shall we? Cool.
Oh look, I found it – approachable with just the right amount of mama-bear factor, no?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great way to put it, it’s just food. My best friend’s son has severe peanut allergies and it’s the same thing, it’s the parents who are horrified at the thought of sacrifice. What is wrong with people?
I was commenting when my email dinged and I’m a freak, so I had to go over in the middle of the comment and see who it was and it was you! Wild, eh? I’m glad you’re liking!
Brings me back to the days when my son was 100% tube fed and I heard a gazillion times;
“Just don’t give him anything in his tube, once he gets hungry, he’ll eat.”
Even after explaining the birth defect, aspiration, oral aversion, blahblahblah, most people just stared blankly totally NOT getting it.
I loved this statement He’s just a child. Well, not just any child. He’s my child – brilliant, effervescent, charming.!
Much luck on the drop off and the little chat with the teacher. Love the hat!!
I’m not a mama yet so I don’t have anything really ground-breaking to offer except that the hat is awesome, and mean people suck.
Best of luck for a smooth transition.
Aw Sweetie!
Sounds like you have learned great wisdom in dealing with your PKU situation. My heart goes out to you.
I hate being that Mom too, and mine doesn’t have PKU.
You are soooo awesome. You are much younger than me and I learn so much from you.
Thanks!
I think it’s like anything that people don’t understand. They act like fools when they don’t ‘get it’, you know? And, um…. I’m guessing I’ve been there done that, as they say…
I wish you a class full of understanding both with teachers, students and parents.
Ugh, that sucks. And I really think that could be a year-round hat. You can dress it up or down.
I bet no one gets to know the staff like you do. So there, those other mamas are just jealous.
All joking aside food becomes an issue at some point in life for so very many of us. People overeat, people don’t eat enough, they obsess about it etc. Your son has had to face up to food challenges early in life and I know this may sound very strange but it will prepare him for some of those potential pitfalls ahead. People always fear what they do not know – it’s just a natural instinct and not at all personal, at least not initially. But I feel for you, having to go through all the explanations. I also admire you for your attitude and the lessons you are teaching your son. Love the hat, I think that would be just wonderful if you wore it
Cracking up at the whole “granola chick” thing. The breast feeding Nazi’s out there always bring it back to that, don’t they? At least you are pulling the teacher aside for something important, unlike most of the moms that do that.
hang in there.
It’s best to break complicated issues down into simple directions:
“I’ve put a lot into raising this kid, so don’t mess it up. When he’s good, give him a mouth full of Reddi-Wip, because he can’t eat anything else. When he’s bad, use this wooden spoon as you see fit. No more than 25 hits of either for my baby each day.”
Love the hat. Why are other people so ignorant???? ugh. Off with their heads.
I’m betting those teachers would prefer your boy and his sweet mama any day over some situations. Hope the first week behind you went well for everyone!
A sweet child I can’t wait to meet. Glad you drew good teachers.