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  • anyone on with a parent who has a handicap, chronic illness, etc? my mom has parkinson's, and recently my 2.10 y/o dd has become aware of her disability (ie doesn't walk well, etc). wondering how you handle grandparents that look/act "different." i know she's too young to explain why grandma can't do all the fun things her other grandma can do with her and why she needs help walking, etc. - i know it makes my mom feel badly and i feel badly, too, that dd is scared of her. when she gets older i'll explain more, just wondering how to handle this with a toddler. thanks.

    6 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]
    05.03.08, 05:13 PM [ Flag ]
    • my mom had a massive stroke, cannot walk, talk has feeding tube and in wheelchair...ive explained it all to my kids 3&5. they are scared to visit her (she is bound to a nursing home) but they go. my older one just started reading so he likes to sit and read to her, my younger does splits and dance moves for her.

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      05.03.08, 05:17 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • ^^^or i think it's important to tell the truth to your children and have them visit as much a spossible.

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        05.03.08, 05:19 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • I explained it to my dc's when they were 2/3. Just tell them what's wrong, that grandma really loves you/wishes she could hug you - that she's the same except for the physical things/not to be afraid. Encourage interraction. GL!

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      05.03.08, 05:17 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • My mil was very very ill the last year of her life and I was really surprised how little my dcs noticed/cared, they weren't scared, even when she could barely move and had a breathing tube. We all just acted like it was normal.

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      05.03.08, 05:21 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • np:hmmm acted like it was normal? that seems strange to me....why not be honest?

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        05.03.08, 05:22 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • That was how il's wanted it, we just went over and played as normal. We weren't dishonest, dcs didn't ask. If they asked why she had a tube we'd say it was to help her breathe, or whatever. But kids pick up on the emotions of those around them. We weren't upset/anxious, so they weren't, kwim? If you and your mom are feeling really bad about her condition the kids pick up on that.

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          05.03.08, 05:24 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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