Breakfast: It's All About Control

I just ran across an old post about breakfast and realized I've not posted how DuckyBoy's breakfast-at-school issue has resolved itself.

First of all, the caring attention of his speech therapist has gone a long way. I think she was instrumental in his being allowed to eat breakfast in the classroom, and also it's part of his IEP now so we've got a leg up for next year. We're lucky to have her on our team! (I attended a citywide meeting for parents of special-ed kids last night that makes me feel the need to post about how lucky we are in general, but that's coming soon.)

A few weeks ago, DB started to get up in time to want something to eat (and with time to eat it) before he had to get dressed and go wait for the bus. (Clarification: Before I dress him. For those who wonder.)

Since leaving the dairy-free diet behind at the beginning of the year, he's become hooked on Eggo mini waffles; they are pretty addictive. (I'm delighted that this week he agreed to try, and he likes, the French-toast version. Any food variety is a success in my book.)

But I know him. He'll get to school and be hungry again. Wait, maybe that's me. I used to eat breakfast and then, after my subway ride, get a coffee and donut from the coffee cart guy on the way into the office building. But anyway. If he's used to eating when he gets to school, his body will send those habit-hunger cues, at least sometimes.

Ah, sometimes. That's where it gets hard. When he'd eat at home, and I'd pack a little something just in case, he'd complain the teachers made him eat it. If I didn't pack, they'd say he was hungry.

I finally printed up a set of "Get Out Of Breafast Free" cards. Just a sheet of paper and cut them apart. They also say, "DB ate breakfast at home this morning!" and have my name.

Now I pack a school-appropriate breakfast (has to be dry and not crumbly) no matter what, and if he eats breakfast at home, I slip one of those papers in (I write in the date as well.)

I have not heard a word about breakfast since. I think giving DB the control, the choice, made all the difference.

Some days the extra breakfast comes home, some days not. I don't even know if he's ever shown any of the cards to his teachers! Doesn't matter. The issue is solved.

If you want me to scan one of the cards, leave a comment and I'll be happy to. Maybe I can even get Husband to upload the whole Word doc as a PDF; all I did was print them on colorful paper, then cut 'em apart.