Re: A comment to break the ice about my son's band

[Guest guest]

I always just start out with a joke! I knock on his helmet and say " we are

getting him ready for the NFL early! " ...then I say, just kidding, he is wearing

it to help reshape his head and I explain his torticollis too. People are always

nice and they think he is cute in it. Their questions are usually about how

long he wears it and whether or not it hurts him. Also, I put his name right on

the front and that seems to loosen people up too...they call him by name all the

time. People are just curious, so I jump in so they don't have to feel

uncomfortable asking.

>

> My son has been in a DOC Band for 3 weeks now. I have had a couple different

conversations with neighbors or other people that I know only as casual

acquaintances. During those conversations, I have been holding Tyler and he has

been wearing his band. I can sense that the people are probably looking at this

thing and wondering what it is, but they feel too uncomfortable to ask. And I

don't know what to say to broach the subject. I certainly don't mind talking

about it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about a casual or quick

comment that I could say that would explain his helmet without making the other

person feel awkward?

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughter is a graduate of the band but I found that people were too scared to

ask. I had children ask about it all the time. If an adult did ask about the

band, it was usually " Oh, did she have a fall? " Other adults that approached me

already knew about the band because they knew a child that wore one. My daughter

also has worn glasses since she was 8 months old due to having catracts. It

makes me laugh when people ask me if they are real. If you want people to know

why Tyler is wearing his band just tell them. Most people are interested to know

why and then they won't feel as awkward about it.

Good Luck

>

> My son has been in a DOC Band for 3 weeks now. I have had a couple different

conversations with neighbors or other people that I know only as casual

acquaintances. During those conversations, I have been holding Tyler and he has

been wearing his band. I can sense that the people are probably looking at this

thing and wondering what it is, but they feel too uncomfortable to ask. And I

don't know what to say to broach the subject. I certainly don't mind talking

about it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about a casual or quick

comment that I could say that would explain his helmet without making the other

person feel awkward?

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We experienced the same awkwardness and after a while I decided to initiate the

conversation if I noticed curious stares. I was always very open and willing to

talk about it (saw it as an opportunity to educate). I would just say " The

helmet helps her re-shape her head " . But in most cases people would just ask

about it and I was happy to let them know. I never had to deal with any rude

people and I found that whenever I would initiate a conversation about it, they

became very interested to learn more. It helps to have it decorated - it looks

more like a cute accessory and less like a medical device.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Ana

>

> My son has been in a DOC Band for 3 weeks now. I have had a couple different

conversations with neighbors or other people that I know only as casual

acquaintances. During those conversations, I have been holding Tyler and he has

been wearing his band. I can sense that the people are probably looking at this

thing and wondering what it is, but they feel too uncomfortable to ask. And I

don't know what to say to broach the subject. I certainly don't mind talking

about it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about a casual or quick

comment that I could say that would explain his helmet without making the other

person feel awkward?

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I preferred bringing it up over ignoring it. It made me feel like the whole

conversation was awkward if I didn't get the band issue right out in the open at

the start. If the other person didn't ask, I'd usually say, " Do you like my new

hat? " as if my son were asking. Of course, the person would say " yes " , and I'd

make some joke about it being the most expensive hat I'd ever bought, then

they'd usually ask when he got it or what it's for once they knew it was okay to

talk about. If they didn't take the bait, I'd dive right in and tell them about

it anyway. Most people are curious but are afraid they might make you feel badly

if they bring it up or are nervous that they are going to say the wrong thing

(As the saying goes: if you don't have anything nice to say...), so they are

just waiting for the invitation to talk about it. Do expect some " dumb "

questions about your baby being accident prone or you being overprotective.

Don't take them to heart. People just say whatever comes to mind because they

don't understand what the band is. They usually mean well and are trying not to

offend you!

>

> My son has been in a DOC Band for 3 weeks now. I have had a couple different

conversations with neighbors or other people that I know only as casual

acquaintances. During those conversations, I have been holding Tyler and he has

been wearing his band. I can sense that the people are probably looking at this

thing and wondering what it is, but they feel too uncomfortable to ask. And I

don't know what to say to broach the subject. I certainly don't mind talking

about it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about a casual or quick

comment that I could say that would explain his helmet without making the other

person feel awkward?

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Your comments have hit the way I'm feeling right on the head. These

conversations I've had where it was ignored (like the white elephant in the

room), were so awkward. I love your suggestion. It's just the kind of thing I

was looking for! I will have to try it next time.

Thanks so much!

> >

> > My son has been in a DOC Band for 3 weeks now. I have had a couple

different conversations with neighbors or other people that I know only as

casual acquaintances. During those conversations, I have been holding Tyler and

he has been wearing his band. I can sense that the people are probably looking

at this thing and wondering what it is, but they feel too uncomfortable to ask.

And I don't know what to say to broach the subject. I certainly don't mind

talking about it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about a casual or

quick comment that I could say that would explain his helmet without making the

other person feel awkward?

> >

> > Thanks in advance!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My son has had his for over 2 months now. I'm so used to it I actually forget

until I notice someone staring or even asking. So that will help the awkwardness

I guess since you become so used to it that you aren't looking for anyone to

notice like we first did. But anyway, I normally just say have you seen one of

these before and just do a quick explanation. Some people are like oh I've

always wondered when I see other babies with it. Other kids help break the ice

too, they aren't too shy to ask. I even had a boy once come up and say I had one

of those because my head was crooked! He said it like nothing! Too cute

>

> My son has been in a DOC Band for 3 weeks now. I have had a couple different

conversations with neighbors or other people that I know only as casual

acquaintances. During those conversations, I have been holding Tyler and he has

been wearing his band. I can sense that the people are probably looking at this

thing and wondering what it is, but they feel too uncomfortable to ask. And I

don't know what to say to broach the subject. I certainly don't mind talking

about it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about a casual or quick

comment that I could say that would explain his helmet without making the other

person feel awkward?

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>