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Post by puddleduck on Sept 24, 2008 15:04:38 GMT -5
Hi there, I wanted to let all mums and others who are in regular contact with kids that the Endometriosis SHE Trust UK has produced two superb booklets: one for 3-6 year-olds called "Why is Mummy Poorly?" and another for 7-11 year-olds called "Why is Mum Ill?". They are available shortly from the SHE Trust office (ring 08707 743665) for £1.00 each. Neither of these two booklets go into detail about the endo itself: they simply explain that mum has a sore tum due to endo which means sometimes she can't play with her kids and feels grumpy. It also explains that sometimes she will have to have an operation. They highlight the fact that it's not the child's fault and that mum doesn't have anything more serious... I received a copy of each one this morning with the recent newsletter, and they're great: everything is explained in simple terms with colour illustrations. The booklets have been worked on by children, parents, teachers and the Trust using a grant from the Children's Link in Lincolnshire. The support from the Children's Link enabled the Trust to use professional graphic designers. I'm sure you'll agree that there is nothing else like these and this is a really worthwhile project. I'll certainly find the booklets very handy to explain my "off days" to puzzled little people!
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Post by ouchy on Sept 24, 2008 15:09:55 GMT -5
hum. I personally don't think it's something I'd want to explain to a little one. I know I won't be telling baby ouchy what's wrong with mommy other than "Mommy doesn't feel good" or something.
But for those who do want to explain it to youngsters, thanks for posting this, pd. I hope it will come in handy for those who do.
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Post by ouchy on Sept 24, 2008 15:11:06 GMT -5
Actually, I'd hope that no one would tell baby ouchy about having endometriosis, either. School or elsewhere. I'd be really mad. I don't know why that strikes me like that. I'd hoped she'd learn about periods before endometriosis. And hopefully, that talk won't come until she's about 9.
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Post by JackMcFarland on Sept 24, 2008 15:56:30 GMT -5
Well, actually.... I think it's important for our daughters to know what Endo is... especially since as mothers we have it. When our daughters get their periods, I think it's important to fully explain the disease. 7-11 is a much better age for a child to comprehend the situation and disease. Besides, I think it's a great opportunity to teach young girls how their body works. And Ouhcy.... just by what my 7 year old niece knows from school... you might want to push that age up. She'll be asking you questions before she's 9. My sister and brother in law have had talks with all their older children... ranging in ages from 7-12. The girls also know that Aunt Tess has a disease inside her tummy - they started asking when they got worried b/c I was having surgery & in the hospital so often.
In my opinion... as soon as they can comprehend in their terms... its time for a chat.
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Post by JackMcFarland on Sept 24, 2008 15:57:54 GMT -5
OH! And when your 5 year old comes home screaming the word "PENIS" bc she learned it from her friend in pre-k... don't be surprised. LMAO.
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Post by ouchy on Sept 24, 2008 17:15:56 GMT -5
LMAO. I'm sure we'll teach her "penis" at the same time she learns the term "vulva" or "labia." Probably within the next year. I just wouldn't want a teacher or other caretaker to explain endo. That seems weird to me.
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Post by JackMcFarland on Sept 24, 2008 20:19:33 GMT -5
would a teacher even know endo enough to explain it? I think as a mommy u know when the time is right to explain... But I think that our girls runfortunately going to learn abt endo when they learn abt the birds and the bees
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Post by ouchy on Sept 24, 2008 20:27:09 GMT -5
I don't know. I definitely wouldn't want someone else explaining about endo to my kids, though. Book or not. Unless it's in biology class like I learned about it. But she'll know about it WAY before then.
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Post by JackMcFarland on Sept 24, 2008 21:30:47 GMT -5
Well, that was when, though? And if she's old enough to take a Biology class... she's old enough to learn about Endo. What if you didn't have it? Would it make a difference? I'm like you... I'd rather personally tell my children about such things, but there are parents who are too selfish to go off and talk to their kids. So, I guess if they learn about health issues in school, at least it's a controlled environment?
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Post by cass on Sept 24, 2008 22:11:13 GMT -5
whats the difference between learning about sex and periods at school and learning about an illness associated with periods such as endo?
id be happy for my childs school to to talk about it in a health class. I wished i had of learnt it at school as my my mum knew nothing about it and if i had of known that my pain was not normal then i think i would have been proactive in getting a cure.
a teacher only has to acknowledge endo when talking about periods and say that severe pain is not normal and if you do have these symptoms then see you dr and hand out a pamphlet on endo. They dont need to be a subject matter expert.
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Post by ouchy on Sept 24, 2008 22:40:57 GMT -5
Well, that was when, though? And if she's old enough to take a Biology class... she's old enough to learn about Endo. What if you didn't have it? Would it make a difference? I'm like you... I'd rather personally tell my children about such things, but there are parents who are too selfish to go off and talk to their kids. So, I guess if they learn about health issues in school, at least it's a controlled environment? I have no problem with her learning about it in biology. LOL. That's not considred a "kids' book" in my opinion. I would be mad if a teacher explained endo to her in say, elementary school or something...or even younger.
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Post by ouchy on Sept 24, 2008 22:42:11 GMT -5
This is all fine and good, and I have no problem with it being brought up when periods are discussed. But kindergarten, etc. is way too young for my daughter in my opinion. Obviously, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. Kindergarten, first grade, etc. will be too young to explain to baby ouchy about endometriosis. All she needs to know until learning about periods (which is when we'll discuss endo at our house) is that mommy doesn't feel good.
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Post by cass on Sept 24, 2008 23:23:24 GMT -5
i wasnt talking about kindergarten sheesh! thats just craziness! we did health and human development (sex ed) in grade 6 i think so last year of primary school and then we did health in high school in year 10 (about 15 ithink). i like the later years better for learning about endo as by then you have an understanding of your cycles and you know when something isnt right.
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Post by ouchy on Sept 25, 2008 1:09:50 GMT -5
^I agree, cass. The book referenced in the first post was for 3-6 year olds and then 7-11 year olds. That's why I said kindergarten.
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Post by cass on Sept 25, 2008 2:26:05 GMT -5
sorry my attention to detail is severly hampered by my exhaustion and lack of sleep! im sitting at my desk at work and my eyes are hanging outta my head. i feel like i could collapse and sleep on the floor.
i was interstate in Queensland for work for the last 4 days and gothome late last night and had no sleep cause fiance is interstate for work and im a giant loser and cant sleep when im home alone and become an insomniac! i have my eyes closed as im typing this so fotgive the sp erros. ok im going now... sleep.... need skepp!@@
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