We try to stay positive here at R.O.C.K.
It is even in our founder, Danna Korn's, whole basis for the approach we as ROCK parents are to take with
facing a gluten free lifestyle with our celiac children.
Positive thinking is the only true way to get through any struggle in life, be it: school, work, illness, etc.
We know that, but sometimes it gets complicated doesn't it?
Sometimes we don't all say the right things or we minimize the feelings of others. As a parent it is easy to allow the eternal kissing of boo boos to make it better overshadow the real feelings that our children are trying to express. We sometimes will minimize our children's issue by hushing their expression of feelings with either too soft of an approach or too harsh of one. The balance is hard to achieve, for sure.
The truth is that even when our children are being tough little soldiers about having to be different or eat differently, their comments during a R.O.C.K. meeting are usually not as blase about the whole experience. In fact, in a recent meeting we had a sharing time and out of 9 children, only 1 said she didn't miss eating gluten and we aren't so sure that wasn't due to her mom watching.
And why wouldn't they miss it? It is a loss of their normalcy and all losses create a grief process. Unfortunately, for those who cannot ever eat gluten again, no matter how long you have been gluten free, a challenge will present itself that makes you briefly revisit those old feelings of grief. And the gamut of grief can be over the loss of a particular taste you miss to a loss of not being able to participate in eating out somewhere with friends or family. For sure as time goes on and more products introduce themselves, our lives have gotten much easier. However, the mental and social stigma we can feel is very real.
So how do we get to a positive outlook on a daily basis, and more importantly, how do we as parents deal with our children's Gluten Grief? Here are some examples or tips that may help:
1. Join a Support Group - You are not alone and neither will your child be alone. Strength can be found in relating to others who have walked the same path.
2. Turn to Family & Friends - No one likes to bend anyone's ear, but opening up can allow healing and can educate others around you. Remember to end the conversation on a positive note without discounting the person talking.
3. Talk to a Dietitian or Health Coach - Nothing helps like getting a cheering section behind your accomplishments, a coach to push when needed, nor the ability to vent when no family or friends seem to understand.
All of this is a small part of a new presentation, "Good Gluten Grief", which has been developed for the Charleston and Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Expo . If you or someone you know would benefit from this presentation, please visit www.charlestongfafexpo.blogspot.com or www.charlottegfexpo.blogspot.com for information on how to register to attend.
It is even in our founder, Danna Korn's, whole basis for the approach we as ROCK parents are to take with
facing a gluten free lifestyle with our celiac children.
Positive thinking is the only true way to get through any struggle in life, be it: school, work, illness, etc.
We know that, but sometimes it gets complicated doesn't it?
Sometimes we don't all say the right things or we minimize the feelings of others. As a parent it is easy to allow the eternal kissing of boo boos to make it better overshadow the real feelings that our children are trying to express. We sometimes will minimize our children's issue by hushing their expression of feelings with either too soft of an approach or too harsh of one. The balance is hard to achieve, for sure.
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| Copyright Charles Schultz |
The truth is that even when our children are being tough little soldiers about having to be different or eat differently, their comments during a R.O.C.K. meeting are usually not as blase about the whole experience. In fact, in a recent meeting we had a sharing time and out of 9 children, only 1 said she didn't miss eating gluten and we aren't so sure that wasn't due to her mom watching.
And why wouldn't they miss it? It is a loss of their normalcy and all losses create a grief process. Unfortunately, for those who cannot ever eat gluten again, no matter how long you have been gluten free, a challenge will present itself that makes you briefly revisit those old feelings of grief. And the gamut of grief can be over the loss of a particular taste you miss to a loss of not being able to participate in eating out somewhere with friends or family. For sure as time goes on and more products introduce themselves, our lives have gotten much easier. However, the mental and social stigma we can feel is very real.
So how do we get to a positive outlook on a daily basis, and more importantly, how do we as parents deal with our children's Gluten Grief? Here are some examples or tips that may help:
1. Join a Support Group - You are not alone and neither will your child be alone. Strength can be found in relating to others who have walked the same path.
2. Turn to Family & Friends - No one likes to bend anyone's ear, but opening up can allow healing and can educate others around you. Remember to end the conversation on a positive note without discounting the person talking.
3. Talk to a Dietitian or Health Coach - Nothing helps like getting a cheering section behind your accomplishments, a coach to push when needed, nor the ability to vent when no family or friends seem to understand.
All of this is a small part of a new presentation, "Good Gluten Grief", which has been developed for the Charleston and Charlotte Gluten/Allergen Free Expo . If you or someone you know would benefit from this presentation, please visit www.charlestongfafexpo.blogspot.com or www.charlottegfexpo.blogspot.com for information on how to register to attend.
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