I’ve recently received some hate mail from people who have accused me of being “too rigid and structured” with the schedule that I have for the magoo.  Apparently I am an “uptight” mother who is “unwilling to be flexible.”

I miss out on activities, gatherings, playgroups, etc. because I am a prisoner to the schedule I set for my son. 

Awesome.  Thanks.

Supposedly the pictures that I have of Jackson on my website are encouraging to people.  Seeing Jackson is encouraging to people.  He “looks good,” and “healthy.”  To that, I say “yes, he is.”  We’re in a very good place with his feedings right now.

But how the hell do you think we got there?  To this point we’re at now.  How?

How do you think we, Paul and I, figured out HOW to get our child healthy, nourished, and looking “good,”??? 

Answer: We found what works for him.   

Jackson needs schedule, order, routine, consistency in order to eat.  This means he needs scheduled naps with a sound machine on, in a darkened room so that he sleeps.  When he sleeps well, he eats well. 

Imagine that!

He is not one who can fall asleep anywhere, like my sweet stranger friend‘s precious Maddy can do…  I am waiting for the day when Matt and Maddy travel to DC and Maddy can teach Jackson how to fall asleep anywhere.  (hint, hint, nudge, nudge Matt).

Jackson is also not one who can eat anywhere or anything from just anyone.  If he doesn’t know you, he will not take his bottle from you.  If his sound machine is not on during his bottle feeds, he will not take his bottle from you.  If you don’t distract him with toys or some sort of entertainment while he eats in his highchair, he’ll scream to get out and refuse that meal.

My son has taught me this about him over the last 14 months. 

I know what works for my son. 

Do I miss out occasionally on things due to the fact that I don’t have the luxury of being flexible with my child?  Yes.  Does it bother me?  No.  I’d rather have my son look like this

and be healthy… than this

and not.

The saddest part about this, to me, is the fact that I’m even writing this stupid post… justifying myself to these people… as if I need to explain how or why I raise my son the way I do. 

But I’m pissed.  I’m angry… infuriated even.  I’m pissed that this hate is coming from mothers…

I’m pissed that mothers judge other mothers. 

And I’m pissed that people don’t just frickin ask me “how’s Jackson doing?” or “how are his feedings going now?” and just assume that our “issues are over.”

So here I am.  Addressing this issue of my own, and telling you that you have no right.  You have no right to judge me, or assume to know squat about what Paul and I have been through with our son… or the battle we have fought and continue to fight in order for him to eat. 

Don’t tell me I’m not flexible when I have twisted myself into the shape of a pretzel for my son.

How dare you.