posted
Lyme disease is a rotten thing, but you can't let the fear of it bring your life to a standstill. The chances of encountering another Lyme infected tick are small. Find a good natural tick repellent and get out in the great outdoors. You need to be having happy experiences with your kids. Posts: 51 | From Reno, NV | Registered: Dec 2008
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
I know what you mean. We have a large area of weeds out in our back lot, and the kids love going back in that area to just stand there and throw rocks into the weeds.
But every time they go back there, I freak out and go running aafter them to make sure they don't get into the weeds (not easy to do when you feel like you're going to fall over).
I dread this coming summer.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I hate to say it, but my family hasn't gotten past the fear.
The ironic thing is, our children never played in the woods, or climbed trees, or even went through tall grass, yet our son still caught this illness, and became very sick from it (he is still 18 monthes after dx, having absence seizures, and occasionally admits to joint pain).
So going outside to play, even in our nice backyard, with well trimmed grass, gives me the heebee jeebies.
We treat our yard, spray the kids with bug repellant, and hope to God that there aren't any more bites.
Wish I could give more cheer than that, but with most of our family sick, it's hard to feel any desire to enjoy the great outdoors.
take care, kp
Posts: 394 | From tinton falls nj | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I'm trying to get over that myself. My now 6 yr old has been struggling with lyme for over 2 years now. (We have an appt with Dr. J in May).
I'm having my 7 yr old tested today, never saw a rash....last weekend she had what I thought was a virus, but this weekend complaining of knee pain. Hoping lightning hasn't struck twice. (My dog also has lyme disease).
As fearful as I am about my children contracting lyme (again), I'm more nervous about spraying pesticides all over the place? I'm more worried about the carcinogens in the spray...
Ayone worry about that?
-------------------- Mom to a 5 year old lymie.... Taking it one day at a time. Posts: 182 | From Ipswich, MA | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
My kids have reached an age where they're too old for the "naked tick checks", and whatever mom says isn't really taken seriously.
This, to me, is another one of those delicate parenting situations - like staying away from the wrong crowd or staying away from drugs.
If I nag too much, I just may look out the window to see them rolling around in tall grass with their long hair swinging wildly and socks & shoes tossed aside, lol.
My approach, with my kids, is to point out every once in awhile (probably almost daily, but it seems like much less frequently)some facts.
Facts like:
There are all kinds of things like ticks and snakes in that tall grass, and they carry all kinds of diseases.
A simple tick bite can cause years of misery and modern medicine may not be capable of identifying, never mind healing all our ills. (You see, mine are at the age where they challenge authority so I try to make this work for me.)
(I have tons of these. Also lots about driving, drugs, strangers, homework, you name it.)
I will remind them to check for ticks. I offer to check their backs and areas they can't see. I also offer back massages, during which I check for ticks.
Basically, I try to increase their awareness.
I can't keep them from enjoying the outdoors.
Then, like a true parent, I worry if it will be enough.
Also, we got a pool. They can have something "clean" to occupy alot of their summer time.
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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