E.D.
Oh boy. I read your title and shuddered, as my sister had a brace for scoliosis...in middle school. I'm so happy for your son (and you!) that he gets to do his brace wearing before the age of fitting-in-above-all-else hits.
((When I was a teeny one, my skull was all sorts of funky and my mama had to put me in a special forming helmet for many months. I don't have even a faint recollection of it now (and my skull is wonderfully shaped, thanks be).))
Now, I'm not sure my sister's brace was the same as your son's will be. In fact, the one your son will wear looks much more flexible and comfortable. For my sister (impatient, intolerant, stubborn), sensory stuff was BIG. And, apart from the social stigma that resulted from being 'different', the actual rubbing, chaffing, and general discomfort of having something around her skin - it drove her up the wall. And reasonably so. Heck, I feel uncomfortable wearing a bra all day...let alone a brace.
Some things that might help?
- looking into infant/toddler massage. Perhaps it would would help your son to find comfort and relaxation? A little rub down after a bath?
- helping him focus on different parts of his body. "Let's stretch our toes. One, two, three, four, FIVE toes! How long can we make our legs? Here, I'll help you...stretch (that's it!)...stretch...(wonderful!)...stretch those legs...(fantastic job baby!)"
- these little ones are in an imitation zone. Would it help if you wore something around your waste for some days before he gets his own? And then if you introduce it as a tool that's going to help him grow up strong? Not sure if that would work, and I'm sure it's not a sustainable plan, but to help with the initial transition? If he sees his mommy do it, he might be more excited about his own?
- I could be wrong, but this might just be as h*** o* you as it is for him. We do take on our children's discomforts, no? As such, and if so, be alert to your own needs and limitations. Self care is a must in any/every situation, and is especially important during transition, stress, and times when we must reach deep inside of us for a long haul.
- Every day will be different. The only constant is change. Your babe might seem at his wits END for a while, and then, as suddenly as it came, he might just get used to it. A part of the day. Matter of fact. Like brushing our teeth. Or wearing a diaper. Or putting on socks. And, as with all of those things, during different developmental phases, our kids react/interact with their body and environment differently.
- Do exactly what you're already doing: Reach out, find folks who understand, be real, be heard.
- If you are in a partnership, make sure to stay on the same page and try to help each other to help your son. In our home, stressful situations with our kids have been rough on our relationship. We've needed to up our level of responsibility to ourselves and each other.
I'm sending one million cups of tea and hugs. I hope this ends up being less of an issue than one expects. Best of luck!!!
