I wish it was that simple - explaining to kids
 

We were trying to explain to my grandson (who lives with me/I take care of) what was wrong with Grammy 'cause he has definitely noticed and is asking about the meds and why Grammy keeps going to the doctor and if he's gonna get sick too..... - keeping in mind that he's 5 (although in my book he's a handsome genius of course - bragging rights there...).

I had read the spoon story but didn't think he could relate so I tried to come up with another idea to explain it to him.... and I thought I'd share it

I told him we'd play a game that would help him understand what was wrong with Grammy: then I had him get out his favorite game (Candy Land) and I got out two glasses the same size and filled them up (he's not old enough to understand conservation yet). I explained to him we would pretend this was our "energy" to play with - and each time we took a turn we had to take a drink of water and when the water was out, so was our energy and we couldn't play anymore. And so we started playing - when my turns came around I made a point to take large swallows (emptying my glass in 1/2 the time).... and ran out of "energy" before the game was over..... at which point his eyes gotta kinda of big and round and he said "Grammy that not fair this... this mureene gravy is eatting up all your energy.... here I'll share mine" Which broke my heart and made me smile at the same time when I had to explain to him that was very very nice of him but each of us had our own glass of "energy" and it's one of the few things we really can't share with someone else but the medicine Grammy was taking was helping to "refill" my glass. At which point he popped up and said "Like when I take a nap - it refills my energy glass" and I agreed. That's when my brilliant little guy said - "you know what Grammy, I think you should take more naps to refill your energy glass - it helps alot....."

We're still not sure he really understands but he doesn't seem as worried about it and has decided to share his favorite most special stuffy with me when I need a nap - but not at bedtime of course :p

How has anyone else explained to kids? Did it work?

I think you did a wonderful job of explaining to your little grandson...and he has the same kind heart as his gram!!

I agree. He's a litt;e guy and you put it into terms he understood, while at the same time not scaring him....wonderful job Grammy

I have 3 little boys 7/5/2. I actually started having symptoms when I was pregnant with my youngest, so he's never known a difference. My older boys, I actually had them hold their arms out in front for as long as they could and as their arms got tired that's how mommies whole body feels. They don't really understand but they accept the changes, and have become very helpful. Sometimes they say they wish I wasn't sick so we could do the things we used to. I haven't figured out how to be active with them, so when my older kids are at school my little one gets pretty bored. Preschool will definitely come early for him! I think the way you explained it is awesome! Hope your feeling well.
Jessica

Kids this age can understand much more that we think. In fact they sometimes understand and have a much healthier reaction than adults.
Your story reminds me of my son at that age.
When he was 5, his grandfather had a second heart attack, which we knew he will probably not recover from.
He asked many questions, so I decided to explain it to him in a very practical way. I explained that there are vessels that bring blood to the heart, and his are clogged. Just like pipes of water can be clogged. I reminded him of the time our water pipes were clogged and the plumber came to fix them. I then explained that if there is not enough blood to the heart it can't work properly. He was quite content with the explanation.
A few days later we had a dinner party at the hospital I worked in and we happened to sit next to the head of the CCU (a very strict old fashioned physician who would hardly greet you in the corridor). My son started a conversation asking him what he does, and he told him that he was a cardiologist and takes care of people with heart disease. "That's great", my son said," then you can take care of my grandfather. His heart vessels are clogged and you can probably open them, just like the plumber did with our pipes". Needless to say that from then on the head of the CCU would greet me every time he saw me, and say-what an amazing son you have.

alice md

". Needless to say that from then on the head of the CCU would greet me every time he saw me, and say-what an amazing son you have.[/QUOTE]


LOL - sometimes it takes a child to set an adult straight - very very intelligent lad you have there!!!

Sugrkiss:
Doing.... lol another thing I have yet to come up with a "good answer for" - either "How are you doing? or hope your doing well..."

I couldn't imagine tracking down that many little guys... lol I think I'm tired thinking about trying it!!!!! Hope you too are "doing"....