another wonderful day

[princess73]

So today is the 4th day (I think) that my left jaw left leg and left arm hurt worse than the right. Yesterday I noticed that I am dragging my left leg when I walk. This morning my 7 yr old called me a couch potato! OUCH! Who does she think took her to swim lessons last night? And who does her laundry, dishes, all her meals, etc. I think she has no clue how bad she hurt my feelings. Any advice?

[princess73]

Thank you for the tips. Now that I am not working, I spend 5 times more "quality" time with my girls, 7&10. I do a lot more now than I did when I was feeling good, because I am home all the time (I was working 45-50 hrs/wk). My 7 yr old usually acts so much older (likes to cook, do dishes, etc) that I forget she is 7 and will still think like a 7 yr old sometimes. You are wise to tell me to let it go. Now that I am over the hurt a little, I realize that coming from a 7 yr old, this meant nothing. Whereas if my hubby had said it, it would have meant a lot more. Thanks for the thoughts!

[ELT]

I meant, helping wash a sink load of dishes or something.  I used to have lots of fun with my mum when we baked a box cake mix, and washed up after.  She'd blow suds at me and stuff.  It made me feel like a big girl.

I didn't mean make her do the laundry, LOL.  Sorry for the confusion.

Erica

[Daysie]

I have been going through all the MS symptoms for three years with a now 6 and almost 5 year old.  It was really hard in the beginning for them to understand why I couldn't do what I use to.  Taking them to the park, go for bike rides, etc.

I talked to them one day and told them that my body is not working that well anymore and that I sometimes have a lot of pain.  THey have seen me go to Docs a lot and get that something is wrong.

Now on days that I feel like I need the couch, we play board games, playdoh, or watch movies together.

Essentially, they just need to know that you are still there and they want to spend time with you.  Be careful NOT to give them more responsibilities that they should have at this age.  This too is difficult, because we sometimes need help, but it is not there job to take care of us.  
Be honest with them on their level, love them and ask for compassion.

Don't take it personal.  My little girl told me a year ago that I am not as beautiful as my friends.  OUCH.  Last week she told me that I am more beautiful than any Disney princess.  Kids are fickle!

Hang in there.  But always take care of yourself first.

A big shoulder to you!

Daysie

[MCBCON]

Haver help you with everything for a day.  I know it will make so much more difficult.

Either that or just realize it happens to all parents.  not just those with MS

[ELT]

To start off with, I really am sorry you aren't feeling up to snuff.  I hope you recover some energy, like enough to keep up with the seven year old? LOL

On another note, 7 yr olds think?  Wait 'til she's a teenager.  Wow.  LOL  I have one of them.

Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly, but they CAN be rather ME oriented.  LOL

No, she has no idea she hurt your feelings, and she isn't old enough to properly understand, she would only feel anger and guilt.  Best to just let her know you aren't always able to do as much as some mothers (like her friends mums) but that you want to be able to do as much as you can.  So, sometimes you may need extra rest, it's not that you are lazy, just that your body gets tired far more easily and quickly as most ppls bodies.

Ask her to help you with some chores, easy ones, around the house.  Do them together, and make it fun.  Opens doors of communication lots.  You'll need that when she's a teenager.  Mine will be 20 this summer.

Good luck

Erica