It’s almost that time…There’s nothing better than showing up to Christmas dinner only to find that your cousin’s daughter has the flu.
Family gatherings are sometimes the best parts of the year – and often, it’s the only time you see certain family members. Thats why setting boundaries can be difficult. When you or your child have an illness that can be exacerbated by getting sick, avoiding sick people is so important. But so difficult.
Coming from a person who had to completely skip some events, risk looking flaky or rude, and deal with disappointed kids, I get it.
Here are some tips to help:
Educate your family about yours/your child’s syndrome. Explain your symptoms, how they make you feel, and how they might interfere with your day.
Explain your triggers. That heavy perfume your great aunt wears, the dairy in the pie, or the virus someone knowingly brings in.. they all pose a risk to your health.
Explain your flares. No one wants to know that they ignored your boundaries about your health and then caused you to be sick for a week. Tell them that when they sneak in the milk because they think it’s no big deal, that you have to call out of work, chain yourself to the toilet and cry all day. 😅 Especially when it comes to PANS/PANDAS, these flares can be extreme, don’t hold back.
For extended family, I highly recommend being “that person” and passing out a little info on cardstock. Just a quick reminder that “you coming around with a fever could cause pain and suffering for our family, please be considerate”
I’d love to hear your stories. Do people respect your boundaries set to keep your family healthy?
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