Suggestions for a Fun Summer for My Kid's While I Recover from Surgery

K.,

I had a brain malformation diagnosed 16 years ago this month when my children were 11 and 15. I had surgery 2 weeks later at Northwestern. It was such a scary experience and my malformation was quite large, but I have to let you know everything was successful. I have had no problems since then. I would be happy to encourage and support you. I am sure there are a lot more medical advances since then, so your experience will probably be less scary than mine. I will pray for you.

K.,

I hope all goes well with your surgery. If you're stuck in-doors, I'd set up a tent inside (or in a shady backyard) and transport the fun and games there. Arts and crafts projects with scraps and odds and ends can be fun too.

S.
Mom to Jerimiah and Samara

BUY A SMALL POOL FOR YOUR CHILDREN, ONE THAT YOU CAN HANDLE IN YOUR YARD.SPEND THE DAY WITH THEM PLAYING IN THE WATER. SET UP A PICNIC LUNCH AND JUST RELAX. THEY WILL MAKE THEIR OWN FUN AS I KNOW THEY ARE WELL BEHAVED. JUST DUPPLY THEM WITH OUTDOOR TOYS AND YOU WILL ALL BE FINE. ON RAINY DAYS, SHOW THEM A VIDEO, KIDS ARE VERSATILE. THEY WILL SURVIVE AND HAVE FUN. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ____@____.com

Hi K., I was on bedrest with my last pregnancy ( which I understand is different than your situation) for 6 months, which kept me inside and pretty immobile. I really enjoyed spending time with my 4 year old daughter doing crafts from orientaltrading.com and reading her a lot of books. We made it through and I wouldn't have made it without her. In the process she became an excellent reader. I wish you much luck and a speedy recovery! - S.

K.-

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. The other Mom, Barb, posted some great ideas. Turning a room in your house into a beach/ play area is a great idea!

My ideas aren't as great but things like teaching your 5 year old how to cook, doing fun science projects indoors and getting friends/ family to help with outdoor stuff can help a ton.

As a side note. Where do you live? I too have a 5-year old boy and a 1-year old girl. Maybe we can get our kids together and I can help?

Hope all goes well. Keep thinking positive and focus on you getting better.

Kind regards,
N.

Hope everything goes well...I know what you are going thru..I have what they call Chiari Malformation of the brain and need surgery, but trying to hold off as long as I can with help from meds until my boys get alittle older....luckly my boys are alittle older ages almost 9 and 6 and they can sit and play video games and ride their bikes out front and dont need so much supervision. But maybe you can get them board games, or maybe learning video games. Also children of that age like crafts, try going to Chalk board or hobby lobby or Micheals and let them pick out a couple crafts that they can do for their age...Good Luck to you and I will be praying for you...

Hi K.
Two summers ago I had to stay home for 6 months and not drive my then 3 year old and one year old. I had gotten pregnant with our third and needed to stop my seizure meds due to epilepsy and wasn't allowed to drive. It was difficult to be honest. We spent a lot of time in the yard. I set up a few umbrellas, some "baby" pools, sprinklers, a small climbing gym, a sandbox- actually a sand a water table. My yard is gated and safe. I let the kids have friends over once in awhile and stayed under the umbrella as much as I can. With my medicine I needed to stay out of direct sunlight. Also I was early in my pregnancy so I didn't feel that great at that point anyway. Also you can have your library send home books of your choice for you or the kids. They have a program for home bound people. Take advantage of this. Teach your kids chess. Play memory or candyland. I' m not sure how old your kids are.? Color, play bingo with sight words to prepare for school. Get popsicles, read books and most importantly explain to your kids, this is temporary and mommy will feel better soon and it will be okay. My kids were so young at the time I couldn't drive that they just went with it. I also have a fantatic best friend who made the effort to drive once a week from Batavia to Plainfield to share a drive to a park or the childenr's museum. We'd move the car seats and get in her van and go. THat was so so so nice to get out. My neighbor also drove us a few time and dropped us off at APplebees for a nice lunch. I called him and he came to get us (It was only a few blocks away) IT's a humbling experience, but you will heal and get through it, by next summer you 'll talk about how difficult it was and you will move on. Good luck with your surgery and don;'t be shy to ask for help.
S.

I hope everything goes well for you. Try computer games, nintendo, water table, pool, sandbox, slide, kids outside house, new games, toys and balls so they are excited about them, play doh, coloring books, paints, sidewalk chalk, pincics in the house or outside. Maybe your son can go spend some time with his friends at their houses. I would try to use your babysitter often. If she's old enough to drive she can take them to the pool or park.

First of all, I would suggest getting a teenager or family member to help you in the summer. I also would check your local theater, they sometimes have summer deals.

I would also look at day camps or so.

C. R

where are you? Should my daughter (age 5) and I come pick up your kids and take them to McD's or the park for a couple hours? How about if we bring over some meals and games?

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery........... Michaels has a great stock up sale this week (ends today)with lots of items for $1.00. I went there yesterday and got 15 or so paints, some sculpey, wooden frames for the kids to paint, some other wood things to paint, brushes, foamies and etc. Hobby Lobby has those t shirts that you can paint, tie dye, etc for 1.50 each. Stock up on some fun crafty things........ also, they can swim in your bath tub in their swim suits, blow bubbles in there (I think the bathroom is virtually indestructible :), you can set up a tent and have indoor camping, read books, draw play games............. The kids will be fine with however their summer is so focus on getting healthy

I was going to say set up a small pool outside, but the inside idea is great too!

I bet your son has some fun ideas, ask him what he'd like to do. If your husband can take you to the library (or just him), have him grab a stack of books to read and project books.

Invite friends over. Let your friends help you. Have them over for playdates, or let them take your kids.

Good luck with everything.

A couple of suggestions.... Wii fit-- good exercise and it's a blast for all ages! Also, some indoor water parks if you're up to is, as well as gymboree or park district classes that you can just sit and watch, or go home and nap!!! I know you can't drive now, but perhaps afterward? A lot of libraries have story time, which is usually free, and I'd check out the craft store for some things you can build or create together.

My husband and I also talked about making our own ball bit, with an inflatable pool (with slide) and some of those balls I'm sure you can find online.

I think it's most important that you ask friends and family for help as well. Even if it's just, 'please take the kids out for ice cream this afternoon, they're stir crazy and I need a break', I'm sure most people would also be amenable to play dates or to let your 5 year old tag along to the water park when they go.

Good luck with your summer and your surgery!