Spica Temper Tantrums

Today was a special day.  Special in that it eSPECIALly sucked because Evan only took a 25 minute nap.

Nap time has always been an important event for Evan, but it is uber important now that he has a broken leg.  Fatigue and exhaustion plus lack of movement and control equals major temper tantrums and constant whining.

The 25 minute nap was a result of a doctor's appointment at 11:00am and a car ride home that didn't last for 2 hours so Evan could sleep.  I thought for sure Evan would continue to sleep in the car once we got home, but he woke right up.  Any mother knows how scary a short nap truly is.  Not long enough to keep your kid sane for the rest of the day, yet too long for the kid to take a "real" nap at home.

Sleeeeeep, Spica baby... sleeeeeep

Now, let me be clear.  Evan is a very well-adjusted kid.  Without a cast he is usually good-natured and keeps busy.  I can usually handle non-cast Evan with a 25 minute nap.  With this Spica cast he is a different baby.  He gets frustrated even easier now, and he gets mad over very simple things.  He doesn't know how to communicate his anger except to hit his head repeatedly with his hands (as if to say, "I! Can't! Take! This! Any! More!") and cry.  And cry.  And whine.  And cry some more.

I had read on another mother's blog that her son had some major temper tantrums due to his Spica cast.  I remember a chill going up my spine and thinking, "Oh GOD.  I hope that doesn't happen to Evan..."  Oh, to be so naive and wishful.

After Evan woke up from his 25 minute nap (and after a tiring diaper change), I fed him lunch, and then I fed myself lunch.  I listened to him whine and cry as I ate.  Then I decided to try to take him upstairs to his bed room to see if he would just get some good sleep.  As soon as we hit the bed, he exploded.  I mean, he cried as if he was watching his favorite toy getting dismembered right in front of him.  He gasped and screamed and pushed and hyperventilated.  I never saw my son do such a thing.  It was kind of mind boggling.  I was feeling frustrated and sorry for him.  I can't begin to imagine how Evan must feel half the time.  I panicked for a moment, thinking I might never get him to stop.  But then I got my act together, picked him up, and just walked around the upstairs.  That's the thing when you have a baby in a Spica cast: you can't just drop him in the crib and let him "cry it out."  At least I can't.  I feel I have a duty to just be there with him, especially during the hardest times.  I figure we can work through it together.

After 5 minutes, he managed calm down.  I began to read him books and he finally stopped.  But trust me when I say, I will NOT be messing with naptime anytime soon.  Now that the dust has settled and Evan is in bed for the night, I feel like I've been hit by a bus.

My tip for parents dealing with a Spica cast on their baby?  Rest is crucial.  Try to stick with your routine as if your life depended on it.  It will make your day so much easier if you do.

~Nikki