My MS has been really bad recently and my little girl Poppy helps me loads. The poor little thing said to me yesterday ‘when will you get better and your MS go away?’ And I said sorry girlie it won’t go away. She looked so shocked and upset.
hi rebecca
how old is poppy?
just tell her that you feel lucky because you have her to brighten up the day.
i think she’ll appreciate your honesty but make sure that she has lots of little girl things to look forward to.
love to you both
carole x
Hi Rebecca my 4 yes at old Callum is the same he seem angey just now punches cushions when I’m not looking and hates leaving me. I feel so bad, he asked me to try other doctors. I just tell him I love him loads and he’s my special boy. Xx
She’s seven. So she knows there’s something wrong but doesn’t understand it. She looked so unhappy this morning and the lady who takes her to school said she was quiet but managed to cheer her up a bit. It’s so hard. She suggested buying a book poppy could write in if she had something she wanted to ask but doesn’t know how. Poppy had to write a story for homework and asked me to check it. I read it and it definitely had bits that resembled things that happen because of my MS. It made me so sad. I don’t want to let her down anymore she’s too young and it isn’t fair
Aww bless. My 6 yr old, Georgia made me cry the other day when I told her I couldn’t roller skate with her anymore. She said she hates MS and why can’t someone else’s mummy have it instead 
What can you say to that? :-/
Oh Rebecca and Amanda. That is sad,
My boys were 17 and 18 when I was diagnosed so it was much easier for me. It must be difficult when the kids are younger.
Just keep reassuring them that they make you happy and watching them do things that make them happy makes you happy.
So difficult though.
Take care.
Shazzie xx
Hi Rebecca My little boy is 8 and recently was getting really upset about my ms. I struggled as didn’t know to explain to him how I feel and what ms is like. My ms nurse when I told her gave me a book called kids guide to ms and it has made a difference, he now ask me questions and understands a little more how I’m feeling. He doesn’t seem to be as scared and upset now. We sat together and had a giggle at the illustrations in the book and it’s suggest tasks to try to understand some of the symptoms you can get with. I highly recommend it, your MS nurse would be able to get one for you. Polly x
Why have your children become so involved with your m.s.?
Because she sees me struggling and not being able to do things with her
I was 4 when my mom was diagnosed but they didnt tell me until I was 6/7. To be honest Im glad I did know as a child because I understood why my mom couldnt do things other moms could do without thinking that she just didnt want to! If i have kids I will tell them about my MS. Why hide it? Kids are smart and pick up on things!
I don’t see the point of trying to hide it. She is nearly 8 she wants to know why I can’t walk properly and do things with her.
I’m still waiting on DX but have had to tell my kids that I not welll at the moment. I can’t walk long distances any more and at the weekend I was beeten in a race by my two year old, 6 year old said I let him win - I didn’t. They need to know there is a reason why I can’t do some of the things I used to. I know telling them will be the hardest people to tell but I think it’s the right thing to do, kids pick up on alsorts of things and it’s better to be honest with them.
I agree they do need to know. Thank you to most of you for being understanding and supportive it’s hard seeing something you already fight with daily upset someone you love so much and who is so loving to me
The neuro who told me told my 4 year old as she came to see during visiting hours my dad and Callum left to let me see her. And then she asked if I wanted her to tell him she also has a 4 year old she wS lovely. X
I quite agree Rebecca 
I am not going to lie to my children about what I have. @ Zetland…my kids are not ‘involved’ in my MS. I have three, aged 21, 16 and 6, and none of them have to to anything for me, and I don’t ask them too either. They just all know I have limitations to what I can and cannot do.
My neuro said to get my daughter to help me more.She’s 14. I hate asking her for help. I don’t want her to be my carer, I want her to be my daughter.
She is brilliant and does so much already and I know that she’s under quite a lot of stress at school.
She was with me when I was first taken into hospital so she has known all about the diagnosis process and ms.
It’s not what I’d have chosen, it’s just the way life bites you on the bum
Thank you Jen for writing that it makes me feel so much better that it is the right thing that she knows what’s wrong with me. When you get people commenting the way Zetland has I start doubting myself.
Its a difficult one, and I think down to personal choice and circumstance.
I still haven’t told my kids. They are teenagers, going through GCSE’s and A Levels and it never seems to be the right time to land them with something like this. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, but to be fair, have been pretty rough for many years with an ME type diagnosis, suffer extreme migraines, and having an early menopause! I’ve been lucky enough to be a stay at home mum, and they are used to me not being properly well a lot of the time. Its relatively easy to pass most of my stuff off as hormones and migraine related, and being old and knackered!
Trouble is, I’m reluctant to tell them, or anyone (my husband knows and best friend and my sister. ) I’ve seen children so badly affected by there parent’s MS and the damage its done them. I know a few people with MS, and other bad health issues, and I’ve seen the children suffer as a result of having too much responsibility, to much information, and fear.
I’m sure that for some, many even, honesty is the best policy, but you have to make desisions based on your own experiences, circumstances, and values, and what’s right for one, may not be right for another. Yes children are adaptable, and timing and age can make it better or worse I guess, but once the cat is out of the bag, there’s no putting it back in.
When she sees me limping and not being able to grip things or cut up my own food it’s definitely best to be honest and it’s been helpful to her when children ask why I walk funny and can’t take her and pick her up from school much
Hi Rebecca, I think you are doing the right thing…ie right for YOU and your DAUGHTER. There are others who may not agree, do it differently…whatever.
I dont think Zetland meant anything bad, by asking her question.
Everyone has to sort out this mess the best way they can.
luv Polx