Telling your child about RSS

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry, I can't remember the individual who posted this question

and that this reply is so late, but I wanted to respond. In my humble

(non-parental) opinion, the more open you are with your child the

better. My parents always made sure that I knew why I was smaller

than everyone else in an age appropriate way (i.e. they added more and

increasingly complex information to my understanding of RSS as I got

older). I think it's imperative that your child have as much of an

understanding of RSS as their age will allow. In my case, it was

incredibly empowering for me to be able to tell people *why* I was the

way that I was when they would stare or ask questions. Whether it was

my peers or adults, it felt really good when I could combat

inappropriate or nasty questions with information. Giving your child

as much information as is age appropriate can help them deal with

difficult situations. Just my two cents...

~Hillary

21, RSS

[Guest guest]

Thankyou Thankyou Hillary.Some people in my family and my circle of friends tell

me that I tell Destiny too much. I am as honest with her as her age and

understanding will allow. It is after all her body and her future that we are

talking about. I see no reason to keep her out of the loop. It is hard as a

parent to ever know if you are doing the right thing. You just made me feel much

much better about my choice.

Telling your child about RSS

I'm sorry, I can't remember the individual who posted this question

and that this reply is so late, but I wanted to respond. In my humble

(non-parental) opinion, the more open you are with your child the

better. My parents always made sure that I knew why I was smaller

than everyone else in an age appropriate way (i.e. they added more and

increasingly complex information to my understanding of RSS as I got

older). I think it's imperative that your child have as much of an

understanding of RSS as their age will allow. In my case, it was

incredibly empowering for me to be able to tell people *why* I was the

way that I was when they would stare or ask questions. Whether it was

my peers or adults, it felt really good when I could combat

inappropriate or nasty questions with information. Giving your child

as much information as is age appropriate can help them deal with

difficult situations. Just my two cents...

~Hillary

21, RSS

[Guest guest]

Thank you for this very insightful information. My husband becomes

uncomfortable when people comment about our son being so " tiny " for

his age and my response is always that that he has RSS. Most people

don't know what it is and either drop it or humbly inquire more. I

also feel that talking about it in front of my children is good for

them so that it's a part of their lives - rather than a secret. We've

noticed too that people are quick to find something " worse " in their

lives to counter our situation and honestly - I'm fine with that

because the conversation then falls in their lap and I don't have to

be so voluntary with details. Thanks again for sharing your

thoughts - I concur with your way of thinking and it's very

enlightening to hear such positive collective reasoning.

-

> I'm sorry, I can't remember the individual who posted this question

> and that this reply is so late, but I wanted to respond. In my

humble

> (non-parental) opinion, the more open you are with your child the

> better. My parents always made sure that I knew why I was smaller

> than everyone else in an age appropriate way (i.e. they added more

and

> increasingly complex information to my understanding of RSS as I got

> older). I think it's imperative that your child have as much of an

> understanding of RSS as their age will allow. In my case, it was

> incredibly empowering for me to be able to tell people *why* I was

the

> way that I was when they would stare or ask questions. Whether it

was

> my peers or adults, it felt really good when I could combat

> inappropriate or nasty questions with information. Giving your

child

> as much information as is age appropriate can help them deal with

> difficult situations. Just my two cents...

>

> ~Hillary

> 21, RSS

[Guest guest]

Hillary -- I came on to the listserve quickly to post an email for

the convention, and just read these two emails, and you guys made me

CRY!!!! We parents are always second guessing our own decisions,

and thank you for making me feel better about always being honest

with (I have learned that she doesn't need to know every

medical detail, and talking with doctors outside the room is

sometimes OK).

Last year the kids in her class had shadow drawings made of each of

them. Each child then had to write 3 clues about themselves, one

false and two that were true.

's drawing had " I have one brother, I have RSS and some other

clue that was false that I can't remember. " It is just matter of

fact to her that she has RSS.

Another funny story. Beginning of school, each child was supposed

to draw an autobiographic drawing of themself -- a picture of

yourself doing something that was unique to you. The teacher called

me in to show me 's drawing before the Open House .... the

drawing was of bent over, bare bottom, getting her GH shot

in her bottom. HA!!! I was initially horrified -- oh my gosh, she

is scarred for life that she thinks of this. The teacher turned it

completely around reminding me that no, that this is just " 's

life " -- she gets a shot every night, like other kids play ball or

anything else.

> > I'm sorry, I can't remember the individual who posted this

question

> > and that this reply is so late, but I wanted to respond. In my

> humble

> > (non-parental) opinion, the more open you are with your child the

> > better. My parents always made sure that I knew why I was

smaller

> > than everyone else in an age appropriate way (i.e. they added

more

> and

> > increasingly complex information to my understanding of RSS as I

got

> > older). I think it's imperative that your child have as much of

an

> > understanding of RSS as their age will allow. In my case, it was

> > incredibly empowering for me to be able to tell people *why* I

was

> the

> > way that I was when they would stare or ask questions. Whether

it

> was

> > my peers or adults, it felt really good when I could combat

> > inappropriate or nasty questions with information. Giving your

> child

> > as much information as is age appropriate can help them deal with

> > difficult situations. Just my two cents...

> >

> > ~Hillary

> > 21, RSS