Geri B

...so Miriam, what is your answer to your questions.....

romanojg

I used to think of a young child in a walking harness (strap) as looking like you were walking your dog. Then when my youngest son who was very active was little and we lived in Ca and at that time, there were a lot of kidnappings of little blue eyed, blonde haired kids, that someone distracted them for a second while someone else ran off with thier kid, well, I changed my mind and my son (the fourth) went into an wrist strap. It was better than him ending up on a milk carton. When my grandson was little, even though it was really rough on me due to back reasons, I carried him in a carseat, I have a siezure disorder and if I went down, I'd rather him be in the carseat with some protection than in my arms where he could get severly hurt. I've only had 4 in over 20 yrs but not guarntee I won't have another or some other problem. The point is, we don't know why people make the choices they do, rather its put their kids in daycare or our loved ones in a nursing home. I used to run a daycare and I know at least one mom who was a much better parent because she got that break away from her very hyper 2 yr old. I'd rather not ever be put in a nursing home but not at the expense of my kids hardships if that was the option. Life is hard and we all have to make hard decisions but have to remember that some have no other choice.

I agree that children don't get enough outside time, but then neither do adults according to the rapid rise in Vit D defency. I pray that no one suffers at the decisions that some one else makes on their part but it does happen; Unfortunetly. My grandkids have all the computer games etc, but they are limited on them and never if thier behavior and grades are up to what they should be.

Sorry for going on. Its just that I wanted to say not to judge without knowing why people do what they do. Rather we agree or not.

miriam

Where has CD been? I haven't seen any thing from him in a very long time.

Yes, I agree, what point applies to you?
I, too had an autism spectrum child and now some DGKs as well with varying degrees of issues - each have been dealt with differently. I tried the harness and it was a nightmare... Not judging...
One in-law chose assisted living - parents made other choices. None are easy, convenient or necessarily to everyone's advantage. As mentioned above, it is choices that have to be made then lived with.
Life gets dirty some times doesn't it.
Every choice has consequences.
I guess it is a matter of what makes you feel you did the right thing - but is it?

cjsews

Yea, times have changed since we were young. Some changes better some worse in my little mind. But then I do not live the life my parents or grandparents did at the age I am at now. Life was simpler yet harder back then. We have so much more accessible to us. I want the best of both ages. Sometimes it just does not work that way in these times. Too many laws and so much evil to worry about now. All we can do is give it our best and embrace the world we are in today

miriam

I've had the most disgusting evening cleaning up vomit... and not mine.

cjsews

Miriam, I guess that is one thing that has not changed through the ages. Hope better health comes soon to the poor soul you are caring for

elnan

Sounds like vertigo. I've had a lot of experience cleaning up and I'd much prefer that to having no control and suffering from a whirly world, been there too. May you find strength and patience as you need it.

miriam

Near as I can tell it was from trying to drink the dreaded thickened liquid while leaning side ways and a good gag then oops.

miriam

What direction in general do you think thins are trending? For you? Toward more institutions or more toward home? It seems like it is a topic people feel strongly about... Like I said I don't have good answers and the answers I have are subject to change.

BETTY62

You can't judge a lifestyle by what you see from the outside. Unless you see or know there is neglect or abuse, let families be. And just for the record, those older children you see in strollers and/or walkers may have disabilities and be unable to walk and the majority of the elderly in nursing homes are there because they have special needs that can't be provided to them at home and not because the families don't want to take care of them. Life is full of choices and we all get to make our own.