Newbie

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone!

I've spent the last day reading topics and messages with the group

and realize we are not alone in this. This is something I have been

looking for, parents who can relate to similar situations and their

personal advice, whether it works or not.

My background: I'm a new step-mom to an 12yo Asperger boy and a 10yo

girl. They live with their NM(natural mother) and live with us every

other weekend. I have been in their lives for 5 years, they are very

accepting of me, I love them like they were my own, however I'm not

trying to replace their mom. I'm someone they can rely on and trust

and have a great relationship with them, especially the 10yo, step-

daughter.

Where my husband, their NF(natural father), and I are struggling is

everything we try and work on with both kids for the time we have

them is totally undone by the lack of parenting with the NM and so

called boyfriend. Where our concerns have grown with , due

to beginning of puberty, going to middle school next year,

underweight to a lack of variety of food, a lack of muscle

development and toe-walking,this is only the beginning.

I'm becoming more involved in assisting my husband in this decision

process, because there hasn't been a sense of urgency to get him the

proper help or assistance. It is believed that he does not need any

kind of medication, ok to sit and watch shows repetatively, only eat

certain things and not try new things, and not try new activities.

Both kids do not like to try anything new! When I was their age, we

were never dependant on the computer, tv or video games. We were

reading, playing outside or games, or playing with our own toys.

At this point we are requesting information from the school and see

when he was last evaluated and set up a meeting with them, to try

and prepare for public middle school or do we find him a charter

school? How do we try and incorporate new foods?? For the longest

time he would eat pizza by taking the cheese off of it. Now he eats

it with the cheese on it. He used to love macaroni and red sauce,

however we have now resorted back to plain macaroni and butter. We

are fortunate he like milk, of course soda and popcorn chicken and

fries. No red meat though. I can't even get him to try a little

taste w/o it being 'NO THANK YOU'! Another thing, he continuosly

asks or repeats the same things over and over.

I'm sorry to babble. I'm hoping for some advice and look forward to

writing more and becoming part of the group!

Kim