growing pains.
No, not the tv show. Although that’s the first thing I would’ve thought of!
{SCREAM}
{loud crying and sobbing coming from the boy’s room}
Suddenly my door opened and Eli frantically told me,
“Mom! Silas is crying in our bed.”
It literally sounded like he had broken a bone or was seriously injured. I found him lying on his back, his legs pulled tightly against his chest, tossing and turning violently.
Crying out in pain,
“Mom! My leg hurts!”
To be honest, I was somewhat dumbfounded. Within seconds, Dusty entered the room {since he heard the commotion too} and immediatly seemed to know the source of the problem. Enthusiastically he proclaimed, {trying to get Silas excited},
“Silas! Do you know what that is? Those are growing pains. That means your legs are growing and you are getting taller! Can you believe it? Daddy had the same thing when he was a little boy and I know exactly what it feels like.”
So, while Dusty was talking with him - what did I do? Googled it, of course!
SYMPTOMS:
Growing pains are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Usually both legs hurt. Some children may also experience abdominal pain or headache during episodes of growing pains.
Growing pains often strike in the late afternoon or early evening and disappear by morning. Sometimes the pain awakens a child in the middle of the night.
HELPING YOUR CHILD:
* massaging the area
* stretching
* placing a heating pad on the area
giving ibuprofen or acetaminophen
The best part of the story was what happened afterwards. So, I got Silas settled and back in bed. He was still crying and I attempted to calm him. I began massaging his legs where he showed me {interestingly, on his right thigh and left calf}. As I was massaging his legs, I could tell it was soothing him. Then he mentioned,
“I think a little drink would make me feel better.”
Me to Eli - “Hey, Eli. Can you go grab Silas some water from the fridge?”
“Yes sir, Mom! I mean, yes ma’am! At your service.”
Eli came back shortly with the drink of water. Silas took a sip.
“I think medicine will help too. Eli, can you tell daddy I need some medicine?”
“Is that the kind of medicine I like?”
“Yes, Silas. It’s the kind you like.”
After a few more minutes...
“Hey Eli. How about you rub my leg for me?” {Eli then began rubbing his leg}
“Okay, perfect. But could you try not to use your nails when you do it?”
I looked at him -- he was laying on his pillow with his hands behind his head, totally relaxed while Eli was rubbing his legs. Hysterical and ridiculous all in one. I guess it did the trick because I proceeded to go back to bed and didn’t hear a peep the rest of the night.
Maybe I should say I’m having growing pains. Heck, I’ll take a massage and a drink at my beck and call anytime! I’m telling you - this parenting thing is a constant learning experience. I definitely hope this doesn’t become a nightly thing.
One thing’s for sure - he could stand to grow a few inches. I hope his growing pains results is some major growth :) Poor kid! I hope at his next doctor’s appointment he bumps above his 15th percentile for height.
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| wondering if he grew. I think he'll need more than a ruler for that ;) |
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| love him more than life. |
1 Comments
I had those too when I was little!!! My daddy used to massage my legs and tummy. It's uncomfortable for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the fact that now I can see your boys in my head doing and saying these things instead of just reading the story. ;)