Parenting in Pain
Parenting Blog Humor — By Jeff on June 14, 2010 at 11:10 amThe Stay at Home Dad life is filled with many fantastic moments. But when daddy-o goes down with an injury, that parenting world becomes, well, kinda sucky.
A week ago this morning, the Mouse and I worked outside for nearly 4 hours. We reorganized the shed, weeded, and cleaned the gutters. Getting that much accomplished felt good. My body, not so much. Almost immediately, I felt pain in my lower back. I’m nearly 6′ 5″ and have had back issues in the past, so it was to be expected after working that hard. Tuesday was better, I even went to the gym once the kids were in bed. Wednesday morning I awoke as normal, but my condition changed rapidly. In the car taking the Bear to school, I felt a tightness in my back. It got tighter driving the Mouse to gymnastics class. 30 minutes into the class I was calling, emailing and texting the Mrs. pleading for help. I even admitted to her that I had to see a doctor. I don’t think those words have ever come out of my mouth. Even with pneumonia last year, I was dragged to the doctor’s office and then to the ER. I managed to drive the Mouse home, then while she and I watched the fantastic Dirty Sock Funtime Band DVD (review coming as soon as my thoughts are cogent) in bed, the Mrs. came to my rescue. I got x-rays and have been 90% immobile since Wednesday afternoon. Something is wrong. Really wrong.
Thankfully, the Mrs. has a job with much flexibility, because to be home alone with a 3-year old when I’m one shooting pain away from collapsing to the floor ain’t ideal. After five days trapped inside with me, the Mrs. has gleefully returned to work, thanks to my mom who is now manning the fort. She’ll be staying with us for a few days to entertain my youngest. It’s nice that my predicament can have positive results for the kids – they get their Mom mom for 72 hours!
Fortunately, I happened to pick up the book Fathers & Daughers & Sports in the library on Tuesday, just before the new One Story and Atlantic Monthly showed up. All that reading, along with the World Cup (available on ESPN3.com – thank you very much!), has kept me from being completely bored to tears.
I’m making progress, meaning I can stand up, but the sharp pain is still there. I’ve got an appointment with a specialist scheduled for Friday. I’m hoping it is something, something that can be fixed. That open-faced turkey sandwich in the hospital was delicious, after all.
How do you cope when you’re down for the count with tiny tots running amok?
5 Comments
Hey Jeff–(I’m Christina from Cool Mom Picks and we met at Kindiefest this year)—I’m so sorry to hear you are in so much pain! Take it easy and try to make a game of “let’s take care of daddy” with the kids. When I was exhausted from pregnancy or a newborn, I’d lie down and let the kids play “doctor” on me. It’s amazing how much fun they can have with an ace bandage and a toy doctor’s kit.
Don’t worry about overdoing tv/computer/wii time while you are getting better—guilt is a useless emotion when we’re sick!.
Also throw on CD’s (I know you have plenty!) and have the kids put on a dance party/dance contest (complete with costumes if they have a dress-up box they can access easily), or an American Idol-esque singing “contest”. Stock up on snacks/food they can get from the refrigerator/pantry themselves. Play lots of easy board games or card games that don’t require you jumping around. Play-dough, Legos, building blocks can all be accessed from the couch or floor.
Also, are there any 10-12 year olds that you like in the neighborhood that could come by to be a “daddy’s helper” for a few hours? For me, I could get away paying someone just a couple of dollars an hour to play with the kids in the same or next room (I’d be home with them)—they got valuable babysitting “experience” and a few dollars spending money. If they are super reliable, or a little older, they may even be able to take the kids outside to play in the yard for a while.
Take care and hope you are back on your feet again soon.
Thanks Christina, this is awesome stuff. My girls are always up for a dress up/ballet/dance & music show. Such activity only requires me to lay down, which is what I’m doing tons of already, and watch! Play-dough is my kryptonite, so that is out.
Any thoughts of limiting TV/Movie time is indeed out the door. That’s the sick policy in the house, which usually is only in effective for when the girls are ill. Nothing makes you better faster than snuggling on the couch watching Willy Wonka, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, after all.
Jeff – I’m sorry to hear that the intense pain continues for you. There is hope! Today I was able to make it though the grocery store without even once thinking about my leg — first time in 1.5 months!
Last year I was knocked out with the flu. TV “rules” were out the window, not just for them, but for me too. Your kids are compassionate. They know that you can’t do your normal activities; they’ll pitch in. Mine love to make me tea (lukewarm, but …) in the microwave. Bring things to me.
You have a flip, right? Get them to make a movie! That’s always a fun thing here. The footage may be incredibly boring to you, but the activity is fun for them. They can even incorporate Legos, dolls, dress-up and more in said movie.
Pretend you are on a trip somewhere. You can find some streaming music/shows to learn about the place. They can make paper decorations. Make fake passports and “stamp” them. Take a movie of them in the vacation spot of their choosing.
Snacks at our house are all self-serve — a little preparation beforehand from someone who can stand, then that’s that. Grab a yogurt, an apple, baby carrots, celery, grapes, a cheesestick. Water is the drink in our house, so no pouring needed.
I hope that you start to feel better soon. It stinks to be knocked down.
Gwyneth, the idea of a homemade flip video with their dolls and toys is awesome. As much as they play with the flip, no one ever thought of staging something with their stuffed animals and doll babies. And the passport/traveling idea is swell also. You really should have your own blog or something. haha. Thanks!
Wow, all great ideas. Makes me think I’m long overdue to throw my back out. I know my wife would be wildly happy if I tackled some stuff in the yard… hmmmm. Kidding aside, I really hope you wake up feeling better each day. I feel even more grateful now that I know you took the time, while in such pain, to review and link my music. Thank you so much.
Oh, and you can’t go wrong with the Lidsville Box Set http://www.amazon.com/Lidsville-Complete-Charles-Nelson-Reilly/dp/B0006SSO2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1276584452&sr=8-1