You're singing my song ladies!!!

There was a comedian, Lewis C.K., who did a bit where he talks about the frustrations of feeding a toddler. He talked animately about how we, as parents, have a biological NEED to feed our children, and yet they consistently refuse to eat. I used to laugh my BUTT of during that bit (of course, I only had my oldest daughter at that point, and she was "average"). Then I birthed my SPD daughter......

And if one more parent tries to tell me "When she gets hungry enough, she'll eat" my head may very well explode.

My daughter is in the second grade. One of the OLDEST kids in the second grade, and is the smallest by a LONG shot. Her teacher has noticed. Her Dr has noticed. My best friends daughter who is a year older than mine now towers over my DD.

Food frustration is something we are all too familiar with at this house.

Her specialist suggested that I simply put something on her plate that she wouldn't normally eat (along side foods she WOULD eat, of which there are about 4). She advised me to place the plate in front of DD and say "You don't HAVE to eat these green beans, but they're here if you change your mind." And not say another word about it. She said I may have to do it for weeks and weeks before she would even consider trying.

I laughed in her face. She obviously doesn't know my daughter.

I am BEYOND proud to be able to say that DD LOVES green beans!!!!!!! Of course, it took the better part of 2 months for her to try one. And she only ate one. Then two. Then three. Now there are no complaints when she sees them on her plate.

She still goes 2 days without a decent meal sometimes.

But I force myself to look back at where we were 6 months ago. We ARE making progress. SHE is making progress.

This area of SPD has proven to be the most difficult for me. I feel your pain. Don't give up. Celebrate the victories and work through the pitfalls. Good luck to you and best wishes!