Playgroup woes?

[averygoodun42]

I'm worried about Babe. We just came back from the first playgroup in months. He asked me (darn near begged me) to leave early (after about an hour), but that was understandable as it was noisy and Babe does not like noise. Actually, that's one of the things that's worrying me is his growing sensitivity to noise. The phone rang the other day and he nearly panicked, granted that it was a surprise (our phone doesn't ring much these days). There are other, more common noises that he shies away from as well, like the mixer, the range hood fan, etc. The only noisy thing he doesn't object to is the vacuum cleaner. Even the tv he's more likely to turn down than up. (Which is a blessing, I realize!)

But now he's curled up on the couch, still in his coat (he doesn't want to take it off), covered with a blanket and looks ready to nap! For most people, that's normal, but for Babe...

Maybe it's because we actually had to wake him up this morning to get to the playgroup on time. He didn't get his required amount of sleep. I hope that's it. I hope it has nothing to do with his cough (mild, but persistent).

On the plus side, this playgroup looks and feels very promising. Even though all of the other mothers have older children, and Babe is the oldest of the group by at least 6 months, all but one are foreigners (the other one being American but not a native New Englander) and seem very nice and... I think I'll fit in okay.

And until it got too noisy and rowdy, Babe seemed okay with the kids as well.

But I'm worried!

ETA: Bah. He has a fever. His jaw, ear and head are hurting and he's miserable. :-( I've called the doctor's office and am waiting for the nurse to call back.

He usually takes being ill with little issue, but he's crying from it now. *sniffles* I don't want my baby to be in pain! (And actually, right now he's asleep again. The poor kid.)

Comments

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

If you have any worries at all, go and get him checked over by the doctor, if nothing else, it will settle your mind. The doctor won't hink you are silly..

However, if he hasn't been going to playgroup for a while, and is a child who is sensitive to noise, then the likelihood is that he is overstimulated, and thus needs his quiet time under the blanket. Couple that with a cough that hangs on, and well - how would you feel?

Next time you go to the playgroup, be prepared to leave early. Perhaps even leave while Babe is still having a good time. That way, he's more likely to want to go back. You can stretch it by ten minutes each time.

*hugs*

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Since he said he's not feeling sick, and he also said yes to my wondering if he was overwhelmed, I think that is all it is. I'm just sad and worried at how a vivacious and outgoing boy has turned so introverted (and I know that it's all my fault, being the hermit I am).

And thank you for the advice. Sounds good!

[ginny-weasley31.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor kiddo. I'm sure he's fine, just too much stimulation for the poor little guy. And maybe continuing to go back to playgroup on a regular basis will help him to become a bit more accustomed to the noise and activity of the others.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I expect so. He is on the warm side, but that's probably as much from sleeping in his coat as anything. ;-)

I hope that regular meetings will acclimate him to society. Otherwise, preschool's going to be a disaster.

[muggle-prof.livejournal.com]

I'd discuss the sensitivity to noise with his pediatrician at the next appointment, but as you said, you've got to get him used to being around others before he heads off to school, so I'd keep up with playgroup in the meantime.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Yeah, although the visit to the doc may take place sooner than later. He has a fever and his jaw, ear and head are hurting. I'm waiting for a call-back from the doctor's office. :-(

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Oops - sounds like an ear infection or something. Plenty of paracetamol, and I hope the doc thinks it's worth knocking on the head with antibiotics (if that's appropriate). Poor baby. An poor mum. It's so hard when the babies are ill. *hugs*
You are not at fault, and not a bad mother for not realising immediately that he was unwell. You're not psychic. You're doing what's necessary now, and that is what counts.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought so too, but it wasn't. He woke up at 3 with his fever gone and in fine spirits, nothing hurting anymore. I'm wondering if maybe a molar is coming in.

It is awful seeing one's baby ill, isn't it? And actually, I don't feel like a bad mother at all today. I was there to cuddle him, offer him medicine and, as you said, do what's necessary. No, my insecutities about motherhood usually are more in the developmental arena. Health and lack thereof are old-hat to me, and I know, deep down believe, that it's not my fault, so there's no foul.

But Babe not using the potty and refusing to even be changed? That's a guilt-trip waiting to happen. ;-D

[cck-brit.livejournal.com]

Hope you have heard back from the nurse. If not, be persistent! Hubby has been waiting eight hours for a call back.

As for the playgroup, son1 was always very anxious with many children around. He improved when he started preschool.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Yes, we have. I took him in to the doc and everything's fine. Yay!

I think that Babe just wasn't feeling well. Normally he is a social little dude, although that has been mellowing, what with being around my a-social attitudes (and fears) all the time. So called sins of the father, you know... ;-P