Tyler's Thoughts

So I was looking at a friends baby on facebook and Tyler wanted to see pictures of him as a baby. He loved seeing himself as a baby. Especially when Pop was holding him. He loves his Pop. He explained to me how cute he was. He explained that they fixed his heart in some. He learned about the feeding tube that he went home with and how some kids need help eating in the beginning so their body can get stronger. This is the only one he didn't like explaining, "That is really mean of them to put me in a box." I told them that they needed to take him across the bridge to a new hospital and the box made sure he was safe to which he replied, "that way I was able to go under the ocean and see the fish in my box." Made me laugh to which I said, "how cool is that?"

It is always hard to know how much to explain to the a child or show them. I don't think Tyler ever saw himself as a baby in the hospital. Child Life Specialists brought a doll and fake hospital bed, etc into his room prior to his surgery and asked if Tyler would be more at ease with them explaining things. I knew his DS would make him the most at ease. He is not one to want to learn about what is going to happen to him while in the hospital. This ended up be a great way, removed from the hospital and needles to show him all the nurses that helped him and how they helped his heart. He loved seeing people visit and hold him and asked questions and loved seeing himself as a baby. How I love living by the spirit. Sometimes you just know what is right for your child and how to teach them.