Toddler Thursday: Mommy can't pick you up
Sarah K.K. gets extra props for filing today's Toddler Thursday post, given what she has been through. I'm sure any mom who's had a Cesarean section with the second child can relate:
Just a short post today, as I'm at home recovering from some emergency surgery over the weekend. But it's exactly that that raises my question. One side effect of the surgery is that I can't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for at least a couple of weeks. This, of course, means I can't pick up my almost-2-year-old, and he and I are both a little bit confused.
When I got home Tuesday, we told Isaac he had to be careful because "Mommy has an owie tummy." But then later, he didn't want to come over and give me a hug. We weren't sure if we over-emphasized the whole "owie" issue or if he was just really tired and fussy. Or both.
So mostly I'm curious for those parents out there who have had limitations on lifting after surgery or childbirth: How did you explain to your little ones that you weren't as mobile as usual or that you couldn't pick them up?
Comments
When my older son was a toddler I met someone who was in just that bind. Somehow she taught her first child who was not yet one year old to climb out of his crib himself. It boggled my mind.
SKK, so sorry--and I will forgive you for not posting about DWTS this week. Heal quickly!
Posted by: Dahlink | April 15, 2010 5:20 PM
Thanks, Dahlink! Hoping to be back in the blog saddle pretty soon. I did watch DWTS from my hospital bed, though. :)
A friend of mine had abdominal surgery when her son was 2 and mentioned that she got a lightweight stepstool and used that to have him climb into the crib (and then moved it away from the crib). I hadn't thought of that, but depending on how long this limitation lasts, I might end up trying it!
Posted by: SarahKK | April 15, 2010 6:45 PM
I don't have any magic tips, but this happened to me just this past January. I had to have an emergency appendectomy, and my 20-month old son was not at all happy about me not being able to pick him up. I made it about 2 weeks before I caved and started carrying him around probably before I should have (nothing bad resulted as far as I know).
We tried to sit on the couch a lot together, and I would block my stomach with pillows. I would kneel down and give him hugs. Honestly, though, he was a little off at home and at daycare until things were back to normal. Good luck and heal quick!
Posted by: Meg | April 16, 2010 10:09 AM
My first son was a little older (around 30 months) when I decided to 'break' him of his desire to be carried because I was 4 months along with my second. Maybe because of his age he didn't mind just holding me hand. But I made sure to spend lots of time cuddling on the couch with him.
Posted by: MadCow | April 16, 2010 7:13 PM
I just got home today from a C-section and have a 2 year old.
I, thankfully, knew ahead of time that I would not be able to lift my 2 year old when I got home. I stopped carrying him about a month back. It was really hard on him as we transitioned. My line of explanation is that the doctor told mommy she is not allowed to pick you up, but I can hold you in the chair on cuddle on the couch. He went to many doctor appointments with me - to the point that he said doctor when my mom brought him to the hospital for a visit.
We also have a bunch of step stools to assist him getting in and out of bed on his own and to get up and down to the sink.
We will see how well it goes once he realizes that I am able to carry his little brother.
Posted by: Charlotte | April 16, 2010 11:15 PM