Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group new to forum and mom of 21/2yr.

hi all AS friends
I'm a 31 with AS . the Dr. told me about 6 months ago and it been hard lately to keep up with my 2 1/2 old boy it hard to get my feet and hands to work in the morning let alone run after him.

anything you parents out there can tell me to help me throw the sometimes long and painful days it would help.

thanks

lisey

ps. i am on mobic and sulfazine

Hi Lisey

I cant help you with ideas on chasing your little one, but I did want to welcome you to KA......Best darn place to be if you have AS...or even if you dont.

I dont have AS, but my son Eric does. He pops in here every now and again hiding behind the user name of Mascot.

Some one will come along soon to help you. We have a few moms here chasing little ones.

Again,

Lori

Hi Lisey and Welcome to KA!

Stick around and I'm sure you will find you are in good company here trying to keep up with AS and kids. I can relate with your AS but don't have the added challenge of trying to keep up with little kids. Occasionally, I have to run around after my crazy dog but that's a different challenge altogether! I hope you'll enjoy this wonderful group of fellow spondylitics.. they are really the best!

Take care,

mig

WELCOME LISEY.This is the best site for AS.My children are all grown up so the have to keep dad out of trouble.
Bradford

To the world you may be one person,but,to one person you may be the world.

Hi Lisey,

WELCOME to KickAS

Hugs,
Sinta

Hi, Lisey. I am a newcomer here, too, but these are the greatest bunch of folks I could ever imagine! I can't help you out with your question ~ unless, of course, you live within driving distance. Then maybe I could relieve you for awhile!
:-)
Hope you stick around here.

Hi Lisey,

Sorry no help on the keeping up with children, do not have any of my own. But welcome to Kickas, great site for AS... learning, support, laughter and more.

Think about getting on azulfadine rather than sulfasalazine... better acting, this is the enteric coated version. More of the acting agent gets to the intestines.

Take care,

Tim

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional

Hi Lisey and welcome to Kickas. This site is wonderful as you have been told already and full of great friendly and informative people!

I'm the mum of a seven yr old, a three yr old and a twenty month old. If any one lets you know how to make it any easier dealing with AS and looking after littlies then I'd also be interest in knowing also.
Although my 20 mth old has only just started walking I will be buying one of those leash things for him as he at times runs faster than me and on a bad day I just won't be able to catch up with him.
I can't carry my kids as it hurts too much and causes too much pain! I sit down to cuddle and only carry in urgent situations such as an accident and they need to be carried because the tiny, tiny scratch on their knee is to them, life threatening!
My kids soon learn to come to me and that I can't always run to their side if they trip over!
I sometimes look at myself and think how do I do it, but I do and always will. I'm lucky at the moment as I'm out of a flare and in a small amount of discomfort so I'm very happy! It helps to have people around you to call on when it is required and family to stay over when needed. I live away from family so rely soley on my husband for help and if he's not there then I grin and bear it. The only thing that helps when I'm that bad is this site and the support I receive! I learn new things all the time and even though I can struggle at times I know that all the members here can understand me and what I go through and what we all go through!
Come and join us in the womans forum sometime as there are things that you may be able to relate to, and information you may want for yourself.

If you have come this far with a two yr old then you also can tell us the secrets that help you be a good Mum.

Sal


Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu

Hi Lisey,
I have two daughters 12 and 15. They are not so little any more but I remember those days very clearly. A two and a half year child can test anyone, so you have to be very clever when parenting with a chronic illness. But here are a few suggestions:

1. You didn't say whether or not you are doing this with a partner, do you have anyone to help you? First of all, try to get someone else to help with key issues. My Ana hated shoes and getting them on her was a struggle so I just let the nanny deal with it. I would get her up and dress her in the morning, but leave that shoe fight to someone else. It was too hard on my hands. I had a friend who took her daughter to day care in her 'jamies with a bag of clothes and let the day care staff dress her.

2. Try to make sure he gets lots a physical exercise every day. Two year olds need to run and jump and climb. Join a playgroup, hire a neighbor kid after school or ask someone in the family to take him outside for active play. They are easier to deal with if they get exercise. When I stopped working we got involved with play groups. As a group we took kids to parks, museums, pools and classes. I got to talk with other Moms and the kids had fun and got their energy out. To this day they love to be on the go. Another benefit of being with other Moms was that they could lend a helping hand. Ana was forever climbing too high and asking me to get her down. I couldn't do that climbing but the other Mom's did and she always got rescued.

3. Never underestimate how much the child can understand. Before my daughter could even talk she figured out that I had physical limitations and used that against me. If it was time to leave a park to go home and she didn't want to go she used the old dead weight trick. I must have looked ridiculous trying to get her to the car. Finally I figured out that I just had to out-think her. I went up to a total stranger, explained the situation, and asked him to pick her up and put her in my arms. He stared at me, dumfounded but I repeated myself and he handed me my daughter. She looked at me as it to say "What the He#% just happened here?" I only had to do that twice and I never had that problem again. If your son presents problems like that just try to appoach it from a different angle.

4. Sleep when they sleep.

5. Keep food simple. Fruit, raw vegies, rice. That cuts down on prep time and it is very good for them.

6. Talk to him about what you can and can't do. He know there is something going on and it will make him feel more secure if the subject is out in the open.

Thats all I can think of now, if you have any specific problems I would be happy to to problem solve with you. Enjoy your baby. You are very lucky to have him. I am grateful every day that I have these two wonderful girls in my life.

Hi Lisey, welcome to KA!

I don't have any kids, but you've already had what looks like very good advice to me. You'll soon find that the support and genuine compassion from the people here is second to none! Looking forward to seeing you in the Women's Forum, where we can talk about those things that make the guys wish they were anywhere else.

Hugs,

Kat