frustration

We had a few sweet weeks where my buddy was communicating well, eating at the big table, happy and (almost) behaving.  He was also sleeping through the night.  Ahhhhh... it was so nice.  Needless to say, we aren't there anymore. 

My buddy has reached max-frustration level.  I really don't know what to do for him.  There are several things that can set him off like when the music in the car isn't what he wants.  If we are out for a walk and monkey bear gets too far ahead of him.  When he wants to watch TV and it's turned off.  And, of course, anytime I say, "no". 

His reaction these days is to throw himself on the ground while complaining.  My buddy will also bang his head on the ground or hit himself in the head.  And there is no shortage of throwing and screaming.  He doesn't want to hear anything you have to say and the only thing I can do is just hug him.  I understand that this is typical behavior in younger kids but it just more painful to watch your almost 3 year old acting this way.

Some days he really tries to tell me things, but even with the signs he can be hard to understand.  My buddy says only the ending sound to words.  So horse and shoes sounds the same.  As does bike, walk, and truck.  Those times when he tries to tell me something new and I actually get it, we are both so proud.

The latest manifestation is his refusal to eat anything that isn't a cracker.  I make my buddy a meal - one that he typically loves and would eat every last bite of - he will nibble a little then spit it out and throw it across the room.  Then he says, "eat" and does his little, "hmmmmmm" like he is thinking of what he wants to eat.  The only time he does eat is when I get him a snack and he sits down on the ground in front of the TV.  (I know ... mother-of-the-year award here I come.)

It's been about a week with no fruit, no protein, little veges, and lots of milk and crackers.  I can't even get my buddy to eat a vitamin.  I've hear so many moms say, "Jimmy won't graduate High School doing (insert undesired behavior here)."  Meaning, don't sweat it because it will pass just like everything eventually does. But I can picture my buddy being 18 and sitting in front of the TV eating crackers.

Do I take the pressure off and just let him eat only crackers hoping he'll change his mind and join us for a meal?  Do I get super strict and only offer him food if he is sitting at the table?  Does his high chair pulled up to the table not really work for him?   Maybe there is nothing different I can do.