Please stop thinking you are losing it. You are going through something so stressful that few people will EVER be able to understand it. even those who work with our kids don't really "get it" because they are not the Mom. I am so amazed and impressed wth all you do and how cool you are through all of it. The nonstop stress and HUGE issues/problems of the last big while (sure not a little while, Know what I mean??) are the reason you feel like you are losing it. PLEASE do the things that take care of YOU. If you are sick, have a stroke, etc...., then Q has no one really. So take your vitamins, eat well, exercise whenever you can. Meditate when possible (it is amazingly helpful - use guided meditations, I can send you some links/names of wonderful programs), and be sure to take a probiotic supplement (will help with stress related tummy issues, etc....).
As far as eating, sure you need another project. But consider the zone diet plan. NOT NOT NOT as a diet. I don't believe in them because they are the easiest ways to tear apart your body (ten yrs of gaining 15 lbs per winter and losing it in the summer resulted in a heart attack for my father in law. That was the one big factor accordng to his heart doctor - the diet to get "in shape" and it was never more than 15 lbs either way but it tore up his heart and he had a low stress lifestyle at that point!).
The zone has you balance your meals/snacks into a 40% carb, 30% fat, 30% protein ratio. If nothing else, do what my mother did and have protein powder and juice or coffee (pref juice) first thing in the am, it makes a HUGE difference. But eating this way will help clear your mind, and help your body operate at its best. I thought it was hooey when I first heard about it. I did it because it was soemthing the six people I worked with did, and it was a way to be part of the team with-o going on some crazy donut only diet or something. I was SHOCKED and AMAZED. I thought clearer, felt better, had fewer migraines, got more done, had more energy, life was a lot better. And still is as long as I follow it for the msot part.
My mom tried it for a year. SHe has a liver disease that causes lesions on her liver. The docs all said they would never heal. She really cut out the stress (easy with an empty nest), and followed this diet. Her liver got BETTER, as in some lesions healed. they redid her biopsy because they thought they did it wrong, but nope, it truly did heal. Her doctor actually wrote this up and now has most of his patients doing this. He has seen positive results in every patient who has followed the eating plan - and he can tell when they don't.
So I am NOT just suggesting this on a whim. You don't have to go overboard, just make sure you ahve some protein when you have carbs, and try to cut back on the fat. Want chips and salsa? Have some cream cheese with it. want a candy bar for a snack? Have 2 oz lean deli meat or chicken breast with half a snickers (that is actually in one of the books!). want to grab a fast food bfast? Try an egg mcmuffin - it is higher in fat but otherwise is right on the $$ for a zone meal! Need the convenience of frozen dinners? Stouffers has a chicken breast and mashed potatoes in mushroom gravy that is just right for a meal, well, a bit low on veggies but still good for when you need a fast meal at home, Know what I mean??
I hoep the doctor helps tomorrow, and that thanksgiving isn't too difficult. I am sorry he doesn't get to do birthday things with his cousins. Could you do a one on one small party with the birthday kid and difficult child? Maybe just cake and a walk, but enough so that Q feels he is "part" of things? It would be good for Q, and teach the cousins to include him in ways that they can.
As far as eating, sure you need another project. But consider the zone diet plan. NOT NOT NOT as a diet. I don't believe in them because they are the easiest ways to tear apart your body (ten yrs of gaining 15 lbs per winter and losing it in the summer resulted in a heart attack for my father in law. That was the one big factor accordng to his heart doctor - the diet to get "in shape" and it was never more than 15 lbs either way but it tore up his heart and he had a low stress lifestyle at that point!).
The zone has you balance your meals/snacks into a 40% carb, 30% fat, 30% protein ratio. If nothing else, do what my mother did and have protein powder and juice or coffee (pref juice) first thing in the am, it makes a HUGE difference. But eating this way will help clear your mind, and help your body operate at its best. I thought it was hooey when I first heard about it. I did it because it was soemthing the six people I worked with did, and it was a way to be part of the team with-o going on some crazy donut only diet or something. I was SHOCKED and AMAZED. I thought clearer, felt better, had fewer migraines, got more done, had more energy, life was a lot better. And still is as long as I follow it for the msot part.
My mom tried it for a year. SHe has a liver disease that causes lesions on her liver. The docs all said they would never heal. She really cut out the stress (easy with an empty nest), and followed this diet. Her liver got BETTER, as in some lesions healed. they redid her biopsy because they thought they did it wrong, but nope, it truly did heal. Her doctor actually wrote this up and now has most of his patients doing this. He has seen positive results in every patient who has followed the eating plan - and he can tell when they don't.
So I am NOT just suggesting this on a whim. You don't have to go overboard, just make sure you ahve some protein when you have carbs, and try to cut back on the fat. Want chips and salsa? Have some cream cheese with it. want a candy bar for a snack? Have 2 oz lean deli meat or chicken breast with half a snickers (that is actually in one of the books!). want to grab a fast food bfast? Try an egg mcmuffin - it is higher in fat but otherwise is right on the $$ for a zone meal! Need the convenience of frozen dinners? Stouffers has a chicken breast and mashed potatoes in mushroom gravy that is just right for a meal, well, a bit low on veggies but still good for when you need a fast meal at home, Know what I mean??
I hoep the doctor helps tomorrow, and that thanksgiving isn't too difficult. I am sorry he doesn't get to do birthday things with his cousins. Could you do a one on one small party with the birthday kid and difficult child? Maybe just cake and a walk, but enough so that Q feels he is "part" of things? It would be good for Q, and teach the cousins to include him in ways that they can.