Comments on: A BREAKTHROUGH in the Elusive Sleep & Habitual Scratching http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:33:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: The New Parent http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-91 The New Parent Mon, 18 Jun 2007 05:07:57 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-91 Hi AM--after reading your last two very powerful posts I am filled with both sadness and joy. She sounds like she has much to deal with as do you. Children are so resilient. Sleep is so important for a parent and for the child. So much is better with it! Thinking of you both. Hi AM–after reading your last two very powerful posts I am filled with both sadness and joy. She sounds like she has much to deal with as do you. Children are so resilient. Sleep is so important for a parent and for the child. So much is better with it!

Thinking of you both.

]]> By: Shirley (Binky) http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-93 Shirley (Binky) Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:37:01 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-93 AM, Oh, I feel so sorry to hear about the situation you and your Angel went through; I really am. Here are some bear hugs for both of you *hugs, hugs, hugs x1000* I understand about the sleep deprivation part, and that always makes me extremely cranky during the day if I am only able to get only a few of nap winks the night before (these days, mostly because of Ian waking up to feed in the middle of the night, and decides to toss around and babble noisily for 1 hours before getting back to sleep). We have a nephew who lives in UK (Manchester) who also has eczema. I'm not sure about the acuteness of his condition and how he is doing now, but the last time we were there for a visit, I saw his mom bathed him with some medicated bath water for eczema treatment. I never asked his mom what causes eczema, so if you are comfortable to discuss this, could you share with me please? Thanks for sharing, AM. AM,

Oh, I feel so sorry to hear about the situation you and your Angel went through; I really am. Here are some bear hugs for both of you *hugs, hugs, hugs x1000* I understand about the sleep deprivation part, and that always makes me extremely cranky during the day if I am only able to get only a few of nap winks the night before (these days, mostly because of Ian waking up to feed in the middle of the night, and decides to toss around and babble noisily for 1 hours before getting back to sleep).

We have a nephew who lives in UK (Manchester) who also has eczema. I’m not sure about the acuteness of his condition and how he is doing now, but the last time we were there for a visit, I saw his mom bathed him with some medicated bath water for eczema treatment. I never asked his mom what causes eczema, so if you are comfortable to discuss this, could you share with me please?

Thanks for sharing, AM.

]]> By: jean http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-94 jean Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:26:19 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-94 Hi AM, I'm so glad to read that Angel now know that she can't scratch and instead rub it when she is feeling the itch. Praise the LORD! Will continue to keep you both in our prayer list. Take care, my friend! Hi AM, I’m so glad to read that Angel now know that she can’t scratch and instead rub it when she is feeling the itch. Praise the LORD!

Will continue to keep you both in our prayer list. Take care, my friend!

]]> By: jean http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-95 jean Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:28:43 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-95 Hi AM, I forgot to inform you that I have briefly written abt the Devotions books at : http://mommyjean.wordpress.com/2007/06/18/devotions-book/ http://mommyjean.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/devotions-book-2/ Hi AM,

I forgot to inform you that I have briefly written abt the Devotions books at :

http://mommyjean.wordpress.com/2007/06/18/devotions-book/

http://mommyjean.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/devotions-book-2/

]]> By: mom of cairo http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-96 mom of cairo Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:43:16 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-96 wow, 3 years, you poor strong thing you! lucky the special shirt works! i feel relieved just reading about it... i can imagine what you must have felt (or still feeling hahaha). a toast of carrot juice!!! may the itch go away soon! wow, 3 years, you poor strong thing you!
lucky the special shirt works!
i feel relieved just reading about it… i can imagine what you must have felt (or still feeling hahaha).

a toast of carrot juice!!! may the itch go away soon!

]]> By: Chun Xiang http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-97 Chun Xiang Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:00:07 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-97 Praise God that everything is better now. Will keep you in my prayers. Take care.. :D Praise God that everything is better now. Will keep you in my prayers. Take care.. :D

]]> By: alternative-mom http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-98 alternative-mom Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:45:53 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-98 Hi New Parent, thank you for your very kind thoughts. Yes, I admit it was hard dealing with it, both parents and child, and worse so for both the Angel and I at night. A sleep deprived mom is one who finds it hard to see the beauty all the time, but it went beyond being sleep deprived in this case. Nonetheless, I can almost say that it is 'over'. So, after all that hard work, I can now say, "It's worth it!" *smile* Hi New Parent, thank you for your very kind thoughts. Yes, I admit it was hard dealing with it, both parents and child, and worse so for both the Angel and I at night. A sleep deprived mom is one who finds it hard to see the beauty all the time, but it went beyond being sleep deprived in this case. Nonetheless, I can almost say that it is ‘over’. So, after all that hard work, I can now say, “It’s worth it!” *smile*

]]> By: alternative-mom http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-99 alternative-mom Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:10:01 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-99 Hi Shirley, thanks for your bear hugs! *Hugs back* Yes, it was not only dealing with sleep deprivation but all that frustration, heart pain, Angel's pain, and many more. I can live with less sleep but it sure WAS hard work every night before. I can't be more than happy that the Angel has such an enlightenment! I'm beyond words and truly grateful for such an amazing change of event in our lives. What I've been feeling for the pass few days is beyond words. I no longer get angry anymore. *smile* Thanks for sharing about your newphew. Is he using some E45 foaming bath milk? I'm not sure about the causes of eczema, and neither do the doctors. It is usually heredity or parents who are smokers. We do not belong to these two categories. Almost every specialistwe met are perplexed by the Angel's acute eczema. We have been advised by a Chinese physician (met briefly at a friend's house) that children with such problems have immature livers and kidneys, which is why they grow out of them as time pass. To date, we do not know the cause and I guess I spend more effort dealing with the flares and itch-scratch cycle than the cause because it could have been anything which we do not have control over. I do suspect that one of the causes is the environment. The Angel was truly beautiful in Norway. I believe the air, food and water have a huge role in eczema but I cannot be sure for now. I need to live in Norway longer to test it out. *smile* So many children suffer from eczema here and that also explain why people here understand and are definitely more empathetic to the parents and child. In Asian country, it is not really common and most people, frankly, are not empathetic enough to the situations. Do feel free to ask any questions! I'm not shy to talk about it at all. *smile* Hi Shirley, thanks for your bear hugs! *Hugs back* Yes, it was not only dealing with sleep deprivation but all that frustration, heart pain, Angel’s pain, and many more. I can live with less sleep but it sure WAS hard work every night before. I can’t be more than happy that the Angel has such an enlightenment! I’m beyond words and truly grateful for such an amazing change of event in our lives. What I’ve been feeling for the pass few days is beyond words. I no longer get angry anymore. *smile*

Thanks for sharing about your newphew. Is he using some E45 foaming bath milk? I’m not sure about the causes of eczema, and neither do the doctors. It is usually heredity or parents who are smokers. We do not belong to these two categories. Almost every specialistwe met are perplexed by the Angel’s acute eczema. We have been advised by a Chinese physician (met briefly at a friend’s house) that children with such problems have immature livers and kidneys, which is why they grow out of them as time pass.

To date, we do not know the cause and I guess I spend more effort dealing with the flares and itch-scratch cycle than the cause because it could have been anything which we do not have control over. I do suspect that one of the causes is the environment. The Angel was truly beautiful in Norway. I believe the air, food and water have a huge role in eczema but I cannot be sure for now. I need to live in Norway longer to test it out. *smile* So many children suffer from eczema here and that also explain why people here understand and are definitely more empathetic to the parents and child. In Asian country, it is not really common and most people, frankly, are not empathetic enough to the situations.

Do feel free to ask any questions! I’m not shy to talk about it at all. *smile*

]]> By: alternative-mom http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-100 alternative-mom Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:12:46 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-100 Hi Jean, thanks for sharing and yes, thank God! I truly, truly, truly grateful that the Angel had a revelation! It was the itch-scratch cycle that was causing all our nightmares! Thanks for remembering us. We are truly thankful! i'm really glad to have met you! *hugs* Thanks for sharing on the devotion book. I will hop off to read it. I need to catch up on blog reading! Hi Jean, thanks for sharing and yes, thank God! I truly, truly, truly grateful that the Angel had a revelation! It was the itch-scratch cycle that was causing all our nightmares! Thanks for remembering us. We are truly thankful! i’m really glad to have met you! *hugs*

Thanks for sharing on the devotion book. I will hop off to read it. I need to catch up on blog reading!

]]> By: alternative-mom http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-101 alternative-mom Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:18:10 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-101 Hi Mom of Cairo, yes, almost 3 years is no joke! We didn't buy the Special Tshirt but since the Angel has mooted the idea to me, we went to buy two big ones and I have showed her how to sew them together! Frankly, there really isn't any need for the tshirts now because it is her revelation that has enlightened her but I will still let her wear our homemade special tshirt. I thought her idea was brillant, especially coming from her! And with scratch, the itch-scratch cycle is almost gone. Definitely, a toast of carrot juice is the best! Thanks and here's to you, too! *smile* Hi Mom of Cairo, yes, almost 3 years is no joke! We didn’t buy the Special Tshirt but since the Angel has mooted the idea to me, we went to buy two big ones and I have showed her how to sew them together! Frankly, there really isn’t any need for the tshirts now because it is her revelation that has enlightened her but I will still let her wear our homemade special tshirt. I thought her idea was brillant, especially coming from her! And with scratch, the itch-scratch cycle is almost gone.

Definitely, a toast of carrot juice is the best! Thanks and here’s to you, too! *smile*

]]> By: alternative-mom http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-102 alternative-mom Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:19:46 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-102 Hi Chun Xiang, thanks for remembering us! Indeed, I have to give thanks to God! I simply can't express my gratitude! And hey, see you soon! *smile* Hi Chun Xiang, thanks for remembering us! Indeed, I have to give thanks to God! I simply can’t express my gratitude! And hey, see you soon! *smile*

]]> By: ky http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-108 ky Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:01:31 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-108 Indeed something to be very happy about! Sometimes, things do turn in a better way, just when you are giving up. Parenting is hard work, but the rewards are sweet. Hang in there! PS. Thanks for leaving a comment in my blog :) <strong>Hi ky, thanks for dropping by. =) You are right about how things turn out better just when we are giving up. Thanks for the encouragement! I do find myself in need of it often! =)</strong> Indeed something to be very happy about! Sometimes, things do turn in a better way, just when you are giving up. Parenting is hard work, but the rewards are sweet. Hang in there!

PS. Thanks for leaving a comment in my blog :)

Hi ky, thanks for dropping by. =) You are right about how things turn out better just when we are giving up. Thanks for the encouragement! I do find myself in need of it often! =)

]]> By: Pam in Colorado http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-114 Pam in Colorado Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:44:34 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-114 Oh my, what a time you have been through. I'm glad you are at the other side of this now. How wonderful for you that you can step back and parent from a different perspective now. Angel sounds like a dear and what a smarty (pants/dress/shorts - depending on what she is wearing ;) or so my little girls have decided this should be) she is. What a huge step for her in figuring this out and finding a way to work thorugh it. I'm so glad you hit your low point, it often is there that answers are found. I'm also so sorry that your family has had to go through this time. I'm sure there will be great stories one day from this, until that time sleep, sleep, sleep away. :) <strong>Hi, Pam in Colorado, thanks for understanding what a nightmare it has been indeed and I'm over the moon that it is my daughter herself who has had the revelation. It really makes a difference, for us to tell her and for her to figure it out, herself! But indeed, sleep hasn't been sweeter and the best part is, my stress is now almost completely gone and I can focus on more positive things rather than using up a lot of energy fighting all this stress!</strong> Oh my, what a time you have been through. I’m glad you are at the other side of this now. How wonderful for you that you can step back and parent from a different perspective now. Angel sounds like a dear and what a smarty (pants/dress/shorts - depending on what she is wearing ;) or so my little girls have decided this should be) she is. What a huge step for her in figuring this out and finding a way to work thorugh it.

I’m so glad you hit your low point, it often is there that answers are found. I’m also so sorry that your family has had to go through this time. I’m sure there will be great stories one day from this, until that time sleep, sleep, sleep away. :)

Hi, Pam in Colorado, thanks for understanding what a nightmare it has been indeed and I’m over the moon that it is my daughter herself who has had the revelation. It really makes a difference, for us to tell her and for her to figure it out, herself! But indeed, sleep hasn’t been sweeter and the best part is, my stress is now almost completely gone and I can focus on more positive things rather than using up a lot of energy fighting all this stress!

]]> By: Irene http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-122 Irene Sun, 24 Jun 2007 05:28:20 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-122 Oh my... 3 years. You are one strong woman. Hailey has mild eczema - on the inside of her elbows. And it drives me nuts that she has to scratch in order to sleep too. We've used dermamed (a natural alternative to cortisone cream) and it helps with the occasional breakout that she does get. It's so neat when kids figure out the answers themselves. =) <strong>Hi Irene, yes, you can say that again, it did drive me nuts, too, and sometimes still, when the Angel gets into her itch-scratch cycle. Absolutely right when you say that "it's so neat when kids figure out the answers themselves" .... it is internalised, isn't it! =)</strong> Oh my… 3 years. You are one strong woman. Hailey has mild eczema - on the inside of her elbows. And it drives me nuts that she has to scratch in order to sleep too.

We’ve used dermamed (a natural alternative to cortisone cream) and it helps with the occasional breakout that she does get.

It’s so neat when kids figure out the answers themselves. =)

Hi Irene, yes, you can say that again, it did drive me nuts, too, and sometimes still, when the Angel gets into her itch-scratch cycle. Absolutely right when you say that “it’s so neat when kids figure out the answers themselves” …. it is internalised, isn’t it! =)

]]> By: An Alternative Mom on….. » Blog Archive » Reflection http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-148 An Alternative Mom on….. » Blog Archive » Reflection Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:47:05 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-148 [...] as the Angel was turning three, she finally discovered for herself the ’solution’ to her habitual night scratching. She has finally released us of those endless nights which had rendered me helpless and hopeless [...] […] as the Angel was turning three, she finally discovered for herself the ’solution’ to her habitual night scratching. She has finally released us of those endless nights which had rendered me helpless and hopeless […]

]]> By: Lyndall http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-1738 Lyndall Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:16:25 +0000 http://alternative-mom.com/a-breakthrough-in-the-elusive-sleep-habitual-scratching/#comment-1738 Hi I have the same problem with my 6 year old daughter. She cannot and will not even try to go to sleep without me lying down with her and scratching her back. This can take anything from 10 minutes to 1 hour until she stops wriggling and falls asleep. It is incredibly frustrating waiting for that moment thinking about all the other things I'd rather be doing! She also has eczema although it is under control. She doesnt scratch much during the day yet at bedtime the so-called need to be scratched becomes a necessity. I cant help thinking it is more mental than physical. I explain to her that we'll put the special cream on her back to prevent the itch but she throws a fit and refuses the cream. This causes me to run out of patience and its difficult not to be harsh! We all know kids need firm boundaries and parents that do not allow them to beat the system to their own detriment, but how do you break a bad habit with a child that just wont sleep on her own without a backscratch! Hi I have the same problem with my 6 year old daughter. She cannot and will not even try to go to sleep without me lying down with her and scratching her back. This can take anything from 10 minutes to 1 hour until she stops wriggling and falls asleep. It is incredibly frustrating waiting for that moment thinking about all the other things I’d rather be doing! She also has eczema although it is under control. She doesnt scratch much during the day yet at bedtime the so-called need to be scratched becomes a necessity. I cant help thinking it is more mental than physical. I explain to her that we’ll put the special cream on her back to prevent the itch but she throws a fit and refuses the cream. This causes me to run out of patience and its difficult not to be harsh! We all know kids need firm boundaries and parents that do not allow them to beat the system to their own detriment, but how do you break a bad habit with a child that just wont sleep on her own without a backscratch!

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