Kids, moods, and food

[Alexandra 55]

I'm sure all kids get cranky when they're hungry. My daughter Gillian takes it to new heights, though, and I'm just wondering if this is normal or something I need to ask her doctor about.

G doesn't eat much, and before meals sometimes she can turn into a BEAR of the worst order. Worse, she'll resist eating and say she isn't hungry; she'll blame her mood on being tired or something that happened at school. But we know that after even a few bites of something, her happy disposition will return.

My 4 y.o. gets cranky when she's hungry too, of course, but to what I would consider a normal degree. Gillian's behavior is infantile, literally. We all know how it is to feed a baby who is so crazed with hunger s/he can't calm down enough to eat, right? We recognize that is beyond the baby's power to control, but I don't think we see the same thing in kids who are almost 7. So what I'm wondering is if perhaps there are some blood-sugar issues I should be worrying about. Maybe Gillian's blood sugar is really dropping into some super-low zone before a meal or something?

It doesn't happen all the time and I'm not really aware of it having been a big issue until the last few months. I mean, it sort of seems to have gotten more extreme since her 6th birthday, but again, it's not an everyday occurrence.

Sorry for the novel, but I can't see calling up our doctor just to run this by her before getting a few more opinions. There's nothing else going on with Gillian physically; she's growing quickly, of course, and could eat a better diet I'm sure.

So am I overanalyzing a normal reaction to being hungry? Or could there be more going on? Any insights from parents here? Thanks!!

[paula 4]

Alex,

I know what you are talking about.

My 9 yr old is in the same category as G. When he is acting his worst, its always b/c he hasnt eaten in a very long time - and sometimes he refuses to eat when he is in this condition. My goodness... the hollering & crying at any little thing. After a couple of bites, he is back to normal.

Mike is the same way though (not the hollering and crying part - but he's a real BEAR until he eats).

My other 2 kids do not seem to have this issue.

hmmmm...

now you have me wondering!

Cant wait to hear what your pedi. says!

[kellymoos 4]

I know when I had diabetes, I would be a total crab..until I ate!! I as an adult would even say that I wasn't hungry...I had my 2 year old checked for it and was supposed to do more testing in January, but I have checked it on my own and he is fine....That is a good thought and it can't hurt to have blood work done just in case. Good Luck to you!