June 10, 2016
Dear Addie,
There was a time where seeing my child covered in this much earth would've sent me into a sheer panic. Even now, the first thoughts that cross my mind are "how will I clean all this off of you and your clothes? Will I be able to get those stains out? And - I should take you home for a tubby immediately!"
But then I think how sad it would be to rob you of something that brings you so much joy. This big mess of mud brings you happiness and calmness in what is otherwise a life of constant movement and stimulation.
Darling, you may not realize this, but your little body does not process movement or things you touch with as much sensitivity as others. Which is funny, because you are super sensitive to things you hear (more on that to come)!
Because you "under process" (medically called under sensitive sensory processing), things you touch, you really love the feeling and texture of intense sensations, like a big, puddle of sticky, thick, goopy mud - covering you head to toe!
To make matters better (or worse), you have an added complexity to this type of fun. AJ, you have what is called a Pica deficiency which makes you want to excessively put things in your mouth in your constant search to supplement your body with more iron. You don't even realize that is why you eat dirt, chomp on ice, and chew on rocks. That soupy mess of muddy Mother Nature is as much a craving to you, as a nice big glass of red wine is to me after a long day - super enticing!
The fact is that your body lacks a tremendous amount of iron, and although we do our best to supplement that with your diet, your brain is smart enough to know that dirt has the minerals you lack. Although I don't condone you eating fistfuls of dirt and mud, I most certainly understand why you crave it.
So again I ask, why would I rob you of something that provides you so much sensory input that you desperately seek and need?
I'm not a doctor, I'm just your mother and have lived through a few years of this behavior now, so I hope I've explained this well for you. Let's be serious you're not hurting anyone!
Sweetheart, one of the best things about motherhood is when I get to witness my children experience pure joy. So my sweet girl, although we may not share the same love and affection for mud - I get it (and perhaps I'm missing out).
Keep playing Addie, there will always be enough soap and water when you are through.
Love,
Mom
Comments