? on coloring and brag on sleep

[hjdong]

First, the question. Recently, whenever I give Jamie crayons and paper, instead of him happily coloring by himself for 15 minutes and me getting some work done, it has become, "Momma, make a . . ." And I am expected to sit there and draw for him. Now, on the one hand, it's great that he has put together the criblling with pictures, and when prompted will draw something and tell me what it is. However, drawing used to be a great individual activity (with some, "Wow, what a good . . .) and now he definately isn't happy unless I'm drawing too. I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions besides enjoy yourself drawing.

Now, for the sleep. I've posted a couple of times on Jamie's sleep problems - doesn't sleep through the night, won't go to sleep by himself - normal stuff except for his age. Well, I am pleased to report that for the past month, I've been able to leave him after ten minutes of lights out and he will go to sleep on his own (with minimal crying, but up to a half an hour of talking to himself) and sleep through the night. It's been marvelous. Nap has been less successful - he will frequently play for an hour, and about once a week, he won't nap at all. But, today when I left for nap he said momma twice and then silence. For the first 15 minutes I kept listening for the playing, and nothing. He went to sleep! Can I just say how much I love sleep!

[Mommie2MadLyn]

Oh boy! Sorry...I don't have any suggestions, because we are going through the same thing! DD never colors by herself anymore! She always wants me to "draw a..."

And thats great news about the sleeping progress! Madison has never been the best either with sleep. Naps are hit or miss, and she STILL doesn't sleep through the night! She always wakes up at least one time in the night! Someday we will sleep again, right?

[wendmatt]

Have you tried coloring books? I got one at a garage sale last week and Ems loved it, so I went out and got a Sesame Street ABC one, which is also a big hit. She mostly just scribbles all over it, but it keeps her happy.
Congrats on the sleeping, we've had HUGE sleep probs with Emily so I understand what a fab thing it is to get a full nights sleep. I still have to rock or drive Em to sleep for naps but she'll usually go down at night after 30 mins of chattering and reading.....having said that it was 8.30 and I finally went in and rocked/sang and then rubbed her tum till she went to sleep tonight as she wouldn't settle.

BTW what did your specialist say about the constipation? I'm still worried about using milk of magnesia all the time.

[hjdong]

I have tried coloring books, he just wants me to color them. But thanks for the idea.

We saw a gastro-ent. and he said to make sure he drinks 20-40 oz. of water of juice, preferably water, a day. Well, good luck with that. Jamie has no interest in water or juice, just milk. So, I won't give him any milk (which is constipating) until dinner time. This means I spend most of the day offering him other drinks while he asks for milk. And MAYBE I get him to drink about 10 oz. I really need to find a juice he likes, but I hate the thought of him consuming all that sugar. I also make him jello - I figure that's pretty much just water, but again, high in sugar.

And then, of course, a high fiber diet. What I've found works really well for us: figs, spinach, beans, smoothies with wheat bran or oat bran in them, and corn.

He also gave us some Miralax and said give it to him the first time he misses a BM (I generally wait about 1 1/2 days and stuff him with fiber the 2nd 1/2 a day, even though once a day is his norm because sometimes with the high fiber it resolves itself). Then, give it again the 2nd day. By the 3rd day, call him for an appointment. Even though my regular Dr. would most likely let it go longer, he said with kids prone to consitpation, it's important to resolve it quickly.

HTH,

ETA: I forgot, Mandarin oranges are magic!

[wendmatt]

Thanks Holly, there are lots of ideas for me to try there. There is no way in a million years I could get Em to drink 40oz of any fluid. It's become a battle of wills to get her to drink even small amounts! Our deal at snack time is one bite, one sip!!
Thanks again for taking the time to give me that info, I'll try mandarins for breakfast.