Tough Love

I'm sure many of you have heard that saying. "Gotta have tough love." Steve and I have read NUMEROUS books on parenting. We have strong willed children (hehe, I don't know where that comes from :) and, at one point, we were looking for all the answers. Can't say we found them. But anyway, Brooke had occupational therapy yesterday. Great lady and very smart (I've come a long way with therapists). She made some wonderful points for us to ponder. They keep treating Brooke for "oral aversion." Which means she won't put things in her mouth, is scared of texture and we need to "retrain" her. Steve and I didn't feel this was a problem. So we showed the therapist. Give Brooke a grape. She plays with it, brings it to her lips, but does not put it in her mouth. Give her a rubber super ball. In the mouth it goes. She chews on it! Takes it out, yells "look mom" and shoves the whole ball back in. Give her cotton candy, plays with it, brings it to her lips and back on the floor. Give her a cotton ball, right in her mouth. Stumped??? She sat and watched Brooke, coaxed her and said, "your daughter is very smart. It may just be time for tough love." Her suggestion, turn off her feedings for 1-2 days and see what she does when she gets really hungry. In theory that sounds good. As a medical minded person that makes sense. As a mom, it makes my stomach turn! I understand tough love to an extent. My children aren't that old. We've disciplined children, taken away privileges, toys, TV, go carts. I think one of the hardest things we've had to do was tell our 7 year old, who is not fond of medical things, that she HAS to be a bone marrow donor and there are no options. Through that we saw God's Grace! What a wonderful amazing experience. But now we are asked to stop feeding a child so MAYBE she will feed herself. The therapist said, "you have to be ready and strong." I don't think of myself as weak, but I've decided after 24 hours of pondering, I'm not that strong. There are too many what ifs running through my mind. My God can calm the sea's and heal the sick, I'm pretty sure He can, in His time, get a kid to eat.

With all that said, Brooke did munch on a Cheetos and drink watered down milk. She also still enjoys the super ball :) We will try but in smaller dosages.

Just before I sat down to write this I opened a book "Jesus Calling." For today it said "Walk with Me along the path of trust." And that was just the first line!! Thank you Jesus!! It talks about whispering "I trust you Jesus." Isn't He amazing! I've learned when my gut says, "I'm not sure this is right," it's probably not my gut. It's God nudging me saying, "trust in Me." We have trusted in Him to take care of her. At times we have begged Him to heal her and let us keep her and He always ceases to amaze us. Why do we think this will be any different?

Wow, I got long winded again! I need to set a limit on my "venting." :) Brooke did have her CT and did great. We will wait results. We did get a call from a surgeon about her last CT but I will fill you in next time. Lets hope this one is free and clear :)

Psalm 9: 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.