[TabithaA]

I have a 4-year old son with whom I am having a very difficult time trying to discipline. Anytime I exert my authority, he resorts to kicking, screaming, biting, pinching, throwing things. For example, tonight I told him to start picking up his toys in his room. Before I had finished the sentence, he started screaming that he didn't want to. Then, he moved onto the fake crying saying it would make him sick (very dramatic, btw). I picked him up and he started the arm flailing and leg kicking thing, while screaming and crying. I told him, that he had to clean his room and that I would help him.
I told him to put his toys into his toybox. And I started picking up his toys. He started throwing toys at me. I firmly told him that he is not to throw toys at mommy, that it could hurt mommy. He threw some more, so I told him every toy he throws gets taken away and he can't play with it. Didn't phase him one bit...he actually thought it was funny and would throw a toy and say "Take it away, Mommy"
I was getting more and more frustrated, so I took a break, shut his door and walked into my room. He started kicking the door to his room and throwing some of his toys at the wall. After he had quieted down some I went back into his room, and the "game" started again. He kept laughing at my attempts to make him listen. When I told him he had to sit on his bed until I told him he could get up, he would run and jump on the bed and then would get off and do it again.
At one point he got so angry he just started hitting me over and over again, so I had to physically restrain him in my arms til he calmed down.
I broke down and started crying because I didn't know what else to do. I've read books, and have tried every discipline method. They all seem to work in the beginning, until he thinks it's a game and doesn't care anymore whether he's in trouble or not. I'm at my wit's end.
I've had suggestions to remove certain foods from his diet, such as wheat and sugar. I don't give him a lot of sugar to begin with, but maybe what I do give him is too much for him. Of course, I'm not sure what types of candies/snacks he gets at daycare, though I'll ask tomorrow. Has anyone had any form of sucess with dietary changes and behavorial problems?

[mollymae]

I removed aspartame from my oldest child's diet and it had a dramatic effect. He's 12 now but he'll still bounce of the wall if he eats or drinks any. It's hidden in loads of things low calorie or sugar free drinks, sugar free gum and lollies it's even in some ketchups and sauces. He also takes fish oils to help him concentrate and focus.

[Samual]

There was a big study on diet effecting behavior, it was two years ago now. They took children that had parents who believed certain things in food changed the behavior of their diet. The first day they told the parents they children would be given foods containing the trigger, but in reality the children were given foods which did not contain the trigger, but all natural foods. All the parents complained about their children being extremely hyperactive.

The next week the parents were told that the children wouldn't be exposed to the triggers, just fruit, veg and meat. In reality they were only given foods containing the trigger and all parents said that the children were all extremely well behaved and they could tell they had only been fed natural foods.

[2girls]

As they say "you are what you eat"
I have a close friend who is in the reversal process right now with her son's severe Autism. He is on a GFCF diet (Gluten Free/Casein Free) diet. They also supplement with many other things so the process is much more complicated, however it is working beyond belief.
I have another close friend who's son was diagnosed with ADHD and rather than putting him on meds, she changed his diet. She took out all artifical sweetners, colors, dyes and refined sugars. His behavior has improved and he hasn't had to take any meds for his condition.
Good luck with your decisions, it's really a lifestyle change for the whole family if you decide to go that route. But the way I see it, you have nothing to loose by giving it a chance.

[TabithaA]

Thank you everyone! One of my good friends has an ADHD child and she said once she removed the preservatives and artificial coloring, she could really tell a difference. I think I'll start simple by removing sugars and artificial sweeteners. Should be able to tell a difference in about two weeks or so. I know I feel different when I go without coffee or eat too much sugars, so I can only imagine how he's feeling. If it doesn't work with the sugars and artificial sweeteners, I'll move onto artificial colors and preservatives. I'll update you in about 2wks or so. Thanks again!