Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 It is hard to see that they struggle after playing. But I personally think it is best to let them just be normal as much as possible. They will stop when they need to - at least when they are little. Our older ones begin to act like us adults and push themselves too much sometimes. We have all been where you are, regretting that we let them play because we see the aftereffects. I remember when was still playing baseball and he was stiff and sore. I had tears in my eyes watching him struggle some days, but he always wanted to get out there. And so we let him. The dr assured us that he was not damaging his joints and so far that is true. Many of our kids here on the list play sports and do dance and many other things and afterwards they pay the price physically, but doing all that gives them so much pleasure that you hate to take it away from them. I think it is ok that you took him to the park and I hope that soon you have a proper diagnosis so that he can get on the right meds that will help him have less days of pain and swelling. Michele ( 18, spondy) Ever regret giving in??? My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) --------------------------------- New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Carey, I know that making these kinds of decisions can be difficult you want to let them play and have fun but then you see the side effects of increased pain later. We had this same type of problem yesterday with Aundrea. She was invited to go swimming with a friend. Mid-day in Arizona sun. Her doctor believes that the sun is exasperating Aundrea's condition and wants her to remain out of the sun between 10-5. Which means no outdoor recess and the whole playdate thing with friends. I will admit we have been pretty lax about this but now she is in a flare and it worsens after she has been outside...So, we told her she had to wait til at least 4:00. She was unhappy about this. She could go to her friends and play indoors and at 4:00 they could swim...So I lathered her in sunblock and off she went. She did come home with a rash on face and neck and this morning she had her usual stiffness, but I am sure it was better than if we let her go all afternoon. Soemtimes its not about just saying " no " but trying to find a middle ground. Perhaps a wagon ride to the park so that he doesn't have to walk quite so far? In the end, its like said...We do our best to let them be kids and my guess is that if we would withold those pleasures of being a kid it would hurt their heart more than it hurts their joints....Its all about finding a balance. Blessings, (Aundrea 10 systemic jra) > > My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. > > My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. > > 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. > > I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? > > After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. > > By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. > > I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! > > Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) > > > --------------------------------- > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 It is hard, at a young age, to realise that if it hurts, its time to stop. They seem to only realise this if its something they want not to be doing. This is something they can only learn from experience. Momma might know better, but if we impose, then they're not learning. Obviously, this doesn't mean just let them do whatever, but within reason, let them find their own limitations. The walk there and back on top of playing at the park possibly was a bit much. The wagon ride another poster suggested is a good idea. Other kids can participate too, so its not singling him out. At 5, was too big for a regular stroller, so we bought a jogging stroller. It doesn't have the stigma of a wheelchair, but will carry up to a 75 lb child. We use it when we go to a mall or an outing where there will be a lot of boring walking. That kind seems to hurt the worst. :-) My regret there is that we bought one with a fixed front wheel because it was cheaper, nowI wish we'd gone for better manueverability. Misty & (7, systemic) > > My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. > > My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. > > 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. > > I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? > > After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. > > By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. > > I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! > > Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) > > > --------------------------------- > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I second all the comments. He will find his balance and the exercise is good for the joints actually. But next time they are red and hot, use ice packs instead of warm packs. Warm packs actually increase the swelling and bring more redness and pain to the joints. We learned this one the hard way! e Carey <careynsa@...> wrote: My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) --------------------------------- New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 This e-mail comes at an interesting time. Hannah (age 9, still being diagnoned) had a 2 hour softball game tonight. She's only been home for about 1/2 hour and her knee is swollen and sore. She also played really hard this weekend. Our weather was beautiful (you never know about May in Wiscsonin) and I just could not make her stay inside. She needed help out of bed this a.m. because she was so sore. Her doctor said to encourage activity. On a separate note, I'm wondering if any your kids have had a bone scan. Hannah is scheduled for next week for a total bone scan (neck down). I'm wondering how traumatic this is on the kids and is it hard for them to lie still for long? Beth & Hannah, 9...Happy thoughts, be well. " Tepper, Michele " <MTepper@...> wrote: It is hard to see that they struggle after playing. But I personally think it is best to let them just be normal as much as possible. They will stop when they need to - at least when they are little. Our older ones begin to act like us adults and push themselves too much sometimes. We have all been where you are, regretting that we let them play because we see the aftereffects. I remember when was still playing baseball and he was stiff and sore. I had tears in my eyes watching him struggle some days, but he always wanted to get out there. And so we let him. The dr assured us that he was not damaging his joints and so far that is true. Many of our kids here on the list play sports and do dance and many other things and afterwards they pay the price physically, but doing all that gives them so much pleasure that you hate to take it away from them. I think it is ok that you took him to the park and I hope that soon you have a proper diagnosis so that he can get on the right meds that will help him have less days of pain and swelling. Michele ( 18, spondy) Ever regret giving in??? My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) --------------------------------- New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 My Mom actually thought of the wagon after we were already there. I also have a larger stroller still, that he would be able to fit in. Since were still new at all this, I'm finding it hard to balance things out. While I know he needs to play and be a kid, I'm not sure he really knows when to quit. Of course, he knows his limits better than I do. Thanks for the reply. *S* misty_o_c <misty_o_c@...> wrote: It is hard, at a young age, to realise that if it hurts, its time to stop. They seem to only realise this if its something they want not to be doing. This is something they can only learn from experience. Momma might know better, but if we impose, then they're not learning. Obviously, this doesn't mean just let them do whatever, but within reason, let them find their own limitations. The walk there and back on top of playing at the park possibly was a bit much. The wagon ride another poster suggested is a good idea. Other kids can participate too, so its not singling him out. At 5, was too big for a regular stroller, so we bought a jogging stroller. It doesn't have the stigma of a wheelchair, but will carry up to a 75 lb child. We use it when we go to a mall or an outing where there will be a lot of boring walking. That kind seems to hurt the worst. :-) My regret there is that we bought one with a fixed front wheel because it was cheaper, nowI wish we'd gone for better manueverability. Misty & (7, systemic) > > My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. > > My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. > > 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. > > I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? > > After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. > > By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. > > I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! > > Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) > > > --------------------------------- > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm sure once we get into a routine with all this, it will get better. It's just hard right now. He's at the age where he's not really my baby anymore and now this on top of everything. *S* Thanks. " Tepper, Michele " <MTepper@...> wrote: It is hard to see that they struggle after playing. But I personally think it is best to let them just be normal as much as possible. They will stop when they need to - at least when they are little. Our older ones begin to act like us adults and push themselves too much sometimes. We have all been where you are, regretting that we let them play because we see the aftereffects. I remember when was still playing baseball and he was stiff and sore. I had tears in my eyes watching him struggle some days, but he always wanted to get out there. And so we let him. The dr assured us that he was not damaging his joints and so far that is true. Many of our kids here on the list play sports and do dance and many other things and afterwards they pay the price physically, but doing all that gives them so much pleasure that you hate to take it away from them. I think it is ok that you took him to the park and I hope that soon you have a proper diagnosis so that he can get on the right meds that will help him have less days of pain and swelling. Michele ( 18, spondy) Ever regret giving in??? My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) --------------------------------- New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Thanks . you've all been so helpful. We'll definitely be taking the wagon next time and planning on going earlier in the day too. Texas is so hot and humid. *S* sonia1md <sonia1md@...> wrote: Carey, I know that making these kinds of decisions can be difficult you want to let them play and have fun but then you see the side effects of increased pain later. We had this same type of problem yesterday with Aundrea. She was invited to go swimming with a friend. Mid-day in Arizona sun. Her doctor believes that the sun is exasperating Aundrea's condition and wants her to remain out of the sun between 10-5. Which means no outdoor recess and the whole playdate thing with friends. I will admit we have been pretty lax about this but now she is in a flare and it worsens after she has been outside...So, we told her she had to wait til at least 4:00. She was unhappy about this. She could go to her friends and play indoors and at 4:00 they could swim...So I lathered her in sunblock and off she went. She did come home with a rash on face and neck and this morning she had her usual stiffness, but I am sure it was better than if we let her go all afternoon. Soemtimes its not about just saying " no " but trying to find a middle ground. Perhaps a wagon ride to the park so that he doesn't have to walk quite so far? In the end, its like said...We do our best to let them be kids and my guess is that if we would withold those pleasures of being a kid it would hurt their heart more than it hurts their joints....Its all about finding a balance. Blessings, (Aundrea 10 systemic jra) > > My brother called yesterday and asked if we wanted to go to the park. I wasn't sure about that since it was going to warm and humid, but Ben begged, so I gave in and we went. > > My brother wanted to park at the mall downtown and walk over to the park. " It's only a block or so " he says.....so I say ok. > > 2 1/2 blocks...Halfway there Ben tells me his legs are tired already. So my mom piggy backs him the rest of the way, since I can't carry him right now. We get into the park and off he runs with the rest of the kids, limping all the way. I was ready to run around and take him home. > > I spend the rest of the time trying to get him to slow down and not run and jump so much. But how do you stop a kid from being a kid? > > After a small snack, we walked over to a fountain and took some pictures. And luckily found an easier way back to the mall. We walked along the river, in the shade and had a Root-beer float at the Mall. Ben's limp got worse and worse. > > By the time we got home, his left knee was swollen and I put heat packs on them both, dosed him with Motrin and nagged him to sit down the rest of the day. > > I hate to see him push himself so far. He doesn't seem to know any limits yet. What do I do?? Any ideas? He's 5, I can't make him sit down and not play...it's just not right! > > Carey and Ben (5, still being diagnosed) > > > --------------------------------- > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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