The Lodger and Us

Sometimes you enjoy spending time with your child. I'd even go as far as saying most of the time it's enjoyable. But then there are those other times... It's 5am. I know because I've checked the phone, undetected, hopefully, as The Silent Shuffle Monster makes his way through the darkness. The Lodger is awake.  I always check the time in trying to understand this next crazy symptom of Prader-Willi Syndrome.  The dreaded early waking.  I not sure on the specific reasons or causes for this. Possibly hunger or a low blood sugar level or possibly anxiety relating to the ' Will they remember to give me breakfast?' A consistent worry in the world of PWS. Ive captured this moment before, the waking and slow approach, It happens like this. The Lodger wakes, reaches out turns off his sleep apnoea machine and carefully removes his mask. He then slips carefully from the bed making sure not to wake  Walter  and pulling the covers back up on him. Imp...

"If you get in your buggy, you can have a bar!" said a Mum to her little girl. I overheard this on our walk down to the village today.  I can't remember who advised us or maybe we read it somewhere in the early days but since The Lodger has been born, we have never used food as blackmail. It's something I would've been guilty of, as a way to pacify my lovely niece before The Lodger arrived. I wouldn't even have thought twice about it pre Lodger. It's natural. It's something people do everyday. Food is used as reward and punishment. 'No treats for you if you're bold', 'Be good and you can have something nice'! Food is motivating. It's not just children, it's Adults too!   'If I eat healthy Monday to Friday, I can allow myself a treat at the weekend.', I've been so good lately, I can have a slice of cake.' It's getting harder now. The Lodger is becoming a lot more food aware. It could ...