October 11-18, 2008 Disney Magic Parrothead Pirates in Paradise Chapter 11

[cdhheidi]

Hey Gail- Take it easy and relax some, dont want you to get more sick or run yourself ragged before the cruise

Heidi- Has Sean always had a hard time interacting with his peers? Im asking because I worry about this with Chris. I know its going to be a little while before school (not that long) but that is one thing I worry about for him. I know that I did when I was in school (due to the anxiety I suffer from) but i almost see Chris heading in that direction. He does Great with adults and older kids, but with younger kids or kids his age he is more aprehensive.

In Sean's case I think it is more because of his health issues over the years. I mean, if you think about it, over 30 surgeries, many of them pretty serious (15 of them were cardiac catheterizations with 5 stents placed, basically angioplasties) he has been through far more than a typical 11 yr old. Until 2 yrs ago he had a central line that was always attached to him, hanging from his chest and could break (and HAS broken!) so WE needed to have someone who knew what to do with him if that happened. Thus it was partly our "fault" so to speak that he had a bit of parental attachment so to speak?

Now that he has a port, we are able to give him the freedom to be away from us more. We can take the needle out when we are not infusing his TPN (IV nutrition). He also is usually not on Oxygen, so doesn't need us with him for that either. He is also better able to deal with his feeding pump when it beeps, he knows how to deal with MOST of the problems it has when it alarms empty, or has a kink or no food alarm so we dont have to be ever present as much. Some families have home nursing for kids like him, for various reasons we chose not to.

Because of his limitations over the years, he is emotionally a bit immature, probably more like a 9, maybe 10 yr old in some ways? Some ways even a 7 or 8! LOL But don't all kids vary emotionally at times? LOL! Experience wise he is an old soul... he has interesting ways of coping, and really has come a LONG LONG way this last year. His favorite way lately of meeting new people (forwarned is forarmed! LOL!) is to shake hands, then try to twist your arm! LOL! We tell him not to do that with older people, and that he needs to be careful not to go too hard because you never know when someone has a health issue that you are unaware of....

Give Chris time... this cruise will be good for him I am sure! Personally I think it is far more important that kids get along well with people of all ages... and the people I would rather they learn good behavior from are those who have already LEARNED good behaviors! LOL!

 

[tazgirl1981]

Shauna, have you thought about preschool? Now that he's potty trained, it might be a good idea!! I know you're a SAHM, but it's always good for the kids to interact with kids thier own age. It's like I told the lady I sit for, I can teach the ABC's, the 123's and how to write their names, but I can't BE a 4 year old. I can share, a 4 yo can't. Plus they learn so much more, like standing in line, waiting thier turn, routine, etc. Even if you homeschool, it's always good to have interaction with other kids!! Have you looked into a Moms Club in your area? the boys and I were in one for YEARS. They have different activities for the moms and kids. I know this would be hard for you, but it would be a great way to meet other Moms and get ideas!!! Sorry for ratteling! LOL HTH!

Michele- I have thought about preschool. I dont mind him going to school and I really do think that it would be good for him to learn those basics that a mother just simply cannot teach (one must learn from their peers) but I do worry about the school system here. We are looking into the private school that does Pre-K thru Senior but its REALLY expensive. So we are looking into it still. I do need to look into a moms club. Its funny that you just said that, I was thinking that just the other day, It would help Christopher and myself out in a lot of ways but I am TERRIFIED of just walking in to meet new people (something that I am working very hard to overcome) I think that I would do it though if it really did help both Chris and myself because even though i would be terrified, I would be more worried about causing Chris to miss out on some valuable time with other kids

 

[cdhheidi]

Heidi, I don't think we have a choice in the sign out priveleges. I think all 11 yo's are aloud. We plan on setting some sort of rule though....calling and leaving a message in the room, stopping in the room, or knowing where we are and coming to us to tell us what the next plan is. We let them do this 2 years ago, but at the time, we still had a pager for Connor, so we would get a page that would say something like..."the boys are going up for ice cream" At least we knew where they were going. I think with them leaving us a message at the room, we'll be okay. I wonder if we can pick up messages at any house phone? we are going to have a ton of questions about that when we get there!

Interesting... maybe it has changed then? On our cruise last year we had to give Kaj sign out priveleges... he was 12 at the time. I thought I read (and it may have changed with the Magic going to CA for the summer) that OQ was for the kids to sign themselves in and out and for 10-14, but that the 10-12's in the lab you still could have them need to be picked up? I hope we can work something out somehow!!! If nothing else, Sean will probably not want to wander around on his own anyway and want us to HAVE a pager...

 

[kritter]

Kristin- I have laundry that I need to put away as well but before i do that, we have to bring it back home from DMIL'S where we wash it at I guess i should do that tonight since we are leaving tomorrow (well Chris and myself are leaving)...Hubby might need some of those towels this week

I just got it all put away. I'm having my house cleaned tomorrow so I needed to make sure it was all picked up!!!!!!!

 

[tazgirl1981]

Well we are getting ready to head home. Im going to TRY to get on when I get home, although I cannot promise too much tonight since we have to wake up early to head to the airport. I will however post from Disney while we are there (Laptop is packed in suitcase already).

If I dont talk to you all again, have a good night and I will post when I can

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Michele- I have thought about preschool. I dont mind him going to school and I really do think that it would be good for him to learn those basics that a mother just simply cannot teach (one must learn from their peers) but I do worry about the school system here. We are looking into the private school that does Pre-K thru Senior but its REALLY expensive. So we are looking into it still. I do need to look into a moms club. Its funny that you just said that, I was thinking that just the other day, It would help Christopher and myself out in a lot of ways but I am TERRIFIED of just walking in to meet new people (something that I am working very hard to overcome) I think that I would do it though if it really did help both Chris and myself because even though i would be terrified, I would be more worried about causing Chris to miss out on some valuable time with other kids

Shauna, the group I belonged to for years was www.momsclub.org You can find a local chapter, give them a call and just talk to them at first. they sometimes meet in public places, so you could scope them out first to see what you think! Like, they might meet at a McD's for lunch. You could go and see what it's about without letting someone know it's you! Before you call, make a list of the questions you want to ask, things you would like to say or information they might need to know...like your address and phone number. Then when you call, you'll have a cheat sheet to look at if you get tounge tied!! I gleened a TON of information from the women that were in this group with us. And I hope I was able to share something useful as well! LOL Let me know if you'ld like more info!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

I am off to bed for the night. There's a good book and a soft bed waiting for me!!! See you in the morning!!!!

 

[pinkygirl]

Well we are getting ready to head home. Im going to TRY to get on when I get home, although I cannot promise too much tonight since we have to wake up early to head to the airport. I will however post from Disney while we are there (Laptop is packed in suitcase already).

If I dont talk to you all again, have a good night and I will post when I can

Goodnight Shauna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! have a safe trip and have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pinkygirl]

I am off to bed for the night. There's a good book and a soft bed waiting for me!!! See you in the morning!!!!

goodnight Michele!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pinkygirl]

is it me????????? I come on and everyone leaves???????? LOL

Hi everyone who is still here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kritter]

I'm here.. Was working on that thing!!!!!!!

 

[pinkygirl]

I'm here.. Was working on that thing!!!!!!!

did you get the one I sent ya??
are you going to call? or do you want me to call you?

 

[tazgirl1981]

Ok I am home and was able to steal Mikes computer for a little bit so that I can get on here before I do head to bed. I wont be on too long but at least I do get to get on before actual bedtime.

Thanks Michele for the advice. I might check it out Sounds like it would really help

heidi- Wow poor guy, sounds like Sean has been thru a lot in his life. I understand why he would have trouble with those his own age, let alone anyone since he has been thru much more than even some of us adults have had to gone thru I do think that the Cruise will be good for Chris, and I dont mind him having older friends, it has always been the case with me as well. I have hardly if EVER had any friends my age and although I still dont...doesnt mean that I am not a good friend to those that I have. I have learned how to be mature (but can act my own age occassionally) doesnt hurt anything I dont think it is the worst thing in life, as long as you have friends (age isnt anything but a number)

Hey Nancy Im here for a little bit

 

[choco_latae]

Ok I am home and was able to steal Mikes computer for a little bit so that I can get on here before I do head to bed. I wont be on too long but at least I do get to get on before actual bedtime.

:

Hi everyone. Im not sailing in Oct. But my daughter is. Im going with them in May. Just wanted to say everyone take lots of pictures , Id love to see them when you get back. Also Hi to Tazgirl, she is my daughter. Its only because of her that we get to go on this cruise. Thanks hon.

 

[tazgirl1981]

Hey mom..welcome to my addiction LOL The people here are great and they talk a lot more than us over on the May forum Im sure they dont mind you posting here

 

[kritter]

did you get the one I sent ya??
are you going to call? or do you want me to call you?

Calling,, now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[choco_latae]

Hey mom..welcome to my addiction LOL The people here are great and they talk a lot more than us over on the May forum Im sure they dont mind you posting here

Oh good. Im glad noone minds. I agree, not many do much talking on the other one. Well I will find the friends here, I guess. Hey we are all Disney people.

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

Hi everyone. Im not sailing in Oct. But my daughter is. Im going with them in May. Just wanted to say everyone take lots of pictures , Id love to see them when you get back. Also Hi to Tazgirl, she is my daughter. Its only because of her that we get to go on this cruise. Thanks hon.

Hey there. We all cannot thank you enough for having an internet connection at your house so you can satisfy your daughter's DIS addiction

 

[tazgirl1981]

Denis you are too funny...Its all her fault, I blame her for my computer addiction Just kidding mom!!

We LOVE to chat over here...you might just have to switch cruise threads

 

[choco_latae]

Hey there. We all cannot thank you enough for having an internet connection at your house so you can satisfy your daughter's DIS addiction

You are so welcome but she doesnt live with me. She lives three hours away. Though I will see her soon. I live in Cocoa which is close to Disney.