One Week Completed....

We've made it a full week! Things have been going very well. It's really not as difficult as we thought it might be. Most of the time she is just as happy as she was before so it's not bad taking her out and trying to be as normal as possible. Possibly only 17 more weeks to go! Hopefully a lot less than not, but not getting my hopes up.

If you're reading this because you have a child who will be going into a Spica Cast or know someone who will be, I thought I'd give you a few tips of what has really helped.

1. Definately have a bean bag chair. Harlow has been sleeping in it at night, it seems to be more comfortable than lying in bed. She also eats in it & watches tv in it.

2. Spica Casts differ greatly in how they are put on, but an umbrella stroller works great when they are "frog-legged". We fold up a blanket and put in behind her lower back so keep her from sinking back into it.

3. Get back to your normal routine as soon as you can. When you make it seem like the cast isn't a big deal, your toddler will too.

4. Encourage your toddler to learn to crawl. So them how to army crawl. You might not think they will be able to pull the big cast, but you will be pleasantly surprised. Harlow was crawling just 4 days after her surgery. Now it's been a week and she is crawling like its no big deal.

5. As much as you want to give into their every want, don't. You cannot let them throw all the discipline they've already learned out the window. I'm not saying they can't have more special treatment than they used too, but don't give in to everything. Harlow is very spoiled and I won't lie, she's more spoiled now that she's in the cast. However, she is still expected to use the manners she was taught. She still says "Please", "Sorry", & "Thank You" when appropriate. She also isn't allowed to hit, smack, or bite when she is frustrated. Some things are never ok.

6. Be sure to stock up on lots of activities that they can play with laying on the floor or sitting in a chair. Coloring books, white boards, little toy figures, books, etc. Toddlers get bored quickly and they get bored even quicker when they are just sitting around all day.

That's all the tips I can think of at the moment, but I'll continue to add more throughout this journey.