Learning Independence with Medications

I am so proud of Thomas who has recently had to accept numerous changes of how and when he is given what medications. We doctors and parents understand that Tom’s anatomy and problems are unique, so we have to experiment with what meds routine works. But a little boy who is only seven can get really confused by his mama changing what was “the really important way to take your meds!” to some OTHER “really important way.” 

Right now, Thomas has to take one med and then wait five long minutes before taking another medication (in applesauce that feels very yucky in his mouth). The second medication dose even has to be calculated based on the macro grams of his anticipated meal! Once he has had the second med, then he may eat. He has to eat everything within 15 minutes or take another dose of that second med. He often saves food throughout the day to consolidate and eat it all at once with his meds: how many of us adults excercise that prudence and delayed gratification?

While Thomas needs oversight right now, I am trying to encourage independence from the start. My boy gets out his own timer to wait the five minutes and he is daily getting better about anticipating eating ahead of time (e.g., using those five minutes to gather or heat his food, set the table, say grace, and so forth). He adapts and overcomes so often! I could cry.