Kids, moods, and food

Alexandra · June 19, 2005

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 · June 19, 2005

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 · June 19, 2005

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!