What would you do - children's tummy troubles?
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2023 7:10 am
My daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease last year, so she has a legitimate reason for complaining of tummy aches. We went gluten-free as a family but unfortunately gluten still sneaks in somehow. I have typically allowed her to go lay down until it passes, but this can be disruptive if it happens during a block of school time. Would you still have your child do school in this instance? I have told her recently that she can still read her school books even if she is laying down.
Here's my dilemma though- her younger brother (age 7) complains of HIS tummy hurting a lot even though he has tested negative for celiac. This seemed to start when we went gluten-free. We've been to the doctor, treat him for constipation, etc. So my question isn't so much about what to do for him, but how much to entertain his complaints. I'm not always sure if his tummy really does hurt or if he just wants me to tell him to go lay down like his sister, thus getting out of chores or school. I don't want to NOT believe him, but I don't really know what else to do for him. And it does often seem like when he forgets about it, he is just fine. It has certainly not kept him from doing any FUN things. But I also don't want to him to feel like his complaints are ignored and he is not being taken care of if his tummy really DOES hurt.
I have started talking to them both about how many people have to learn how to still function in their day even when they don't feel good, and trying to use this as a teaching moment.
So I guess my question is how much would you make a child still do when they complain of chronic tummy aches with no good reason that I know of? Would you let them lay down? Would you still require a level of school and chores?
Here's my dilemma though- her younger brother (age 7) complains of HIS tummy hurting a lot even though he has tested negative for celiac. This seemed to start when we went gluten-free. We've been to the doctor, treat him for constipation, etc. So my question isn't so much about what to do for him, but how much to entertain his complaints. I'm not always sure if his tummy really does hurt or if he just wants me to tell him to go lay down like his sister, thus getting out of chores or school. I don't want to NOT believe him, but I don't really know what else to do for him. And it does often seem like when he forgets about it, he is just fine. It has certainly not kept him from doing any FUN things. But I also don't want to him to feel like his complaints are ignored and he is not being taken care of if his tummy really DOES hurt.
I have started talking to them both about how many people have to learn how to still function in their day even when they don't feel good, and trying to use this as a teaching moment.
So I guess my question is how much would you make a child still do when they complain of chronic tummy aches with no good reason that I know of? Would you let them lay down? Would you still require a level of school and chores?