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How to cope with SPD and 2 young Kids?

4 replies

mumof3tobe · 16/05/2009 22:26

I have a DS 5.2yrs, a DD 3.5yrs and am nearly 26 weeks pregnant. I have had SPD with last two pregnancy's but had a lot of family help and it was easier to cope with DS as I was working part time. This time i'm in another country away from family and friends and not working. I have been a SAHM for nearly 2yrs now so don't have a problem usually with entertaining the kids and housework.

However my SPD this time seems to be worse and both DC are very active and I feel as if i'm neglecting them and the housework! I'm not that bothered about the house as it'll get done when it gets done and have told DH to help out or i'm getting a cleaner in while i'm like this.
But I do feel for the kids as I feel like a couch potato at times and wish I could play with them more.
Also i'm not able to bend down and clear up their toys as usuall so borrow DD pram and am on my hands and knees picking up toys. I have started to get them to help out more with clearing up and are usually pretty good.
I am going to make an appointment with a chiropractor this week and hope he can help.

So if anyone has any hints or tips on how to entertain kids while not having to get on the floor or sit at the kitchen table or stand around for too long, i'm more than up for listening.

Sorry for the long post.

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EyeoftheStorm · 16/05/2009 23:00

I am in same position as you - DS 5, DD 3, 22 weeks pregnant - experiencing SPD for first time. Sitting on couch and doing as little as possible seems to be keeping it in check but had some agonising days I would prefer not to repeat so being very strict with self.

Having same feelings of guilt about not playing with DCs/pulling my weight. What has worked so far is working through pile of books on couch, sticker books, TV/DVds, putting on music and getting them to dance and applauding like crazy, making them run around the room and shouting different actions eg hop/crawl/jog etc, hanging blanket between chairs and getting them to put on 'show' with their toys (anything that involves me being the audience really)

It's also made me realise how much I do for DCs without thinking about it and how much they are capable of doing for themselves. DS is pretty good and will do things for DD like getting snacks, turn tap on after she's been to toilet.

It feels a long time till the new baby arives though, doesn't it?

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mumof3tobe · 16/05/2009 23:11

Thanks for the post Eyeofthestorm.
My DH doesn't like DC toys in the sitting room and they are upstairs in the playroom. But am thinking about letting DC take them all down so I can watch them play. They don't tend to play upstairs anyway and bring a little down at a time. That should keep them happy for a while.
This will defo be my last pregnancy as I also had very bad morning sickness/nausea for the 1st 3 months and here in Canada there was I drug I took and it's not dangerous for the baby. So that did help a little.

DS is pretty good as well and snacks are in their reach (possibly not a good thing - but it's only for a short time).

It does feel like a long time until baby arrives and i'm hoping to go early. But was on time with both DC. So might not happen. Knowing that the pain will go once baby it here is keeping me going.
We will get through this!!

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EyeoftheStorm · 16/05/2009 23:18

Did the chiropractor work for you in your other pregnancies? I was thinking about seeing a physiotherapist but have no experience of them either.

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mumof3tobe · 16/05/2009 23:33

I didn't try anything with DS as was working full time and just thought it was one of those things that happened. With DD I tried physio at work as they had an Occupational Health Department and the physio their was really good and have deep massages which helped. But I took my maternity leave as early as I could so coudn't use it when I really needed it. So tried the NHS and they gave me one session with some simple exercises that I knew would not work and said if I need more to come back later. So she was useless.
So I tried the Chiropractor and he really got into moving things about and aligning me more and that did help. I only needed to go a couple of times but I was near the end before I went.

I'm in Canada now and the SPD has started a lot earlier so I'm hoping to start with the Chiropractor and see what it's like. It will be a bit costly but if it means more time with the kids and not feeling helpless then i'll do it!