Growing Pains in Children

Growing pains in children can affect up to a quarter of all children at some stage. The condition can be distressing, but is self limiting and goes away on its own eventually. The real concern about the diagnosis is that the term is often used as a throw away term for any leg pain in children and there are a few potentially serious problems that can be dismissed as growing pains.

The true syndrome of growing pains is a bad cramp like pain in the upper calf muscles just behind the knee that usually wakes the child from sleep and lasts around 20 minutes. It is most common in the 4-5 years age group, but can occur up to 12 years of age. The pain does not affect activities the next day. The pains do not occur during the day and if they do, something else needs to be considered. The pain is also not deep in the bone or in the knee joint and if it is, something else needs to be considered. There is also no specific tender spot, so if there is something else needs to be considered.

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If the symptoms do not match the classic criteria for growing pains (in the upper calf and at night), then the differential diagnosis needs to consider a juvenile type of arthritis in the knee joint; a pain referral from the hip; or a bone cancer if the pain is deep in the bone.

The cause of the problem is not known with a number of theories being proposed, including biochemical disturbances, hormonal imbalances and musculoskeletal fatigue. No evidence has been found yet to support any cause.

Parents and the child need to be reassured about the benign and self-limiting nature of this condition. When a child wakes with the pain, then simple rubbing or massage of the leg is usually all that is needed to get the child back to sleep. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory drugs at bed time can help. The condition is self limiting and will resolve on its own eventually.

Growing Pains in Children

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Dr Seuss - Growing Up, Reading Out Loud to Children and Running Amok

How many people don't have memories of Dr. Seuss while they were growing up? Most people (at least in the United States) have at least some exposure to his books, whether it was "To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street" to "The Lorax." It was part of curriculum or library time at most schools. Can you fill in the blank? One Fish, Two Fish, ___________. Yeah, I thought so.

"The Lorax" though has a special place in a lot of people's hearts. It was written in 1971, a time when a great majority of the people on the planet weren't especially concerned with the environment or dwindling natural resources or species going extinct, but there was Theodore Geisel trying to imprint this sort of stuff into the minds of children. But it wasn't just children, it was also adults that read this classic. I just bought a copy a couple years ago myself, as the copy I read to my children was falling apart.

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And the message is just as impactful today as it was when he wrote it. Maybe even more so. We hear about global warming, and whether you buy into the concept or not, you should wonder why Glacier National Park is almost out of glaciers. I mean, something has to be happening when we may have to consider changing the name of a park to reflect the new reality.

And the message towards the end of the book is applicable to anyone on either side of the climate change issue. (Or any issue really.) "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." It's a message of personal responsibility, which everyone needs to take to heart. I have always emphasized this message to my children and led by example in volunteering and donating money to causes that touched my heart and soul.

All that thanks for Theodore "Dr. Seuss" Geisel. His whimsical rhyming style and his nonsensical rhetoric made reading these books a pleasure and elicited squeals of delight from my children with their punderful wit. Thinking was a bonus.

Dr Seuss - Growing Up, Reading Out Loud to Children and Running Amok

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Custody Agreements - Changing Your Parenting Plan As Your Children Grow

Visitation schedules and parenting plans were created for the benefit of children.  Many parents seem to forget that.  A child has a natural right to spend time with both parents.  The parent's divorce or separation should affect that right as little as possible.

When working on your parenting and visitation agreement, you must consider each child's individual needs.  All children have some similar basic needs: food, shelter, clothing and education, just to mention a few.  However, as children grow, their needs change.  The needs of a 6 month old infant are totally different than those of a 5 year old or a 13 year old kid.  When working on your parenting and visitation agreement, you must consider each child's individual needs.

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As a result of your divorce or separation, your children have already gone through a lot of changes.  Changes in general, as you well know, can be very challenging for anyone, most especially for kids. When planning a visitation calendar you should try to maintain your children's basic routine.  The fewer changes your children have to undergo, the safer and therefore more confident they will feel.  School, soccer, karate, swimming, and ballet classes should be continued and incorporated to your parenting agreement. Their extracurricular activities should remain the same, if at all possible.

Each child experiences a different developmental and emotional stage, depending on their age.  The older kids are, the more you should take into account their preferences.  When working on your parenting and visitation schedule you should consider your older kids' needs first.  Younger kids tend to adapt to changes easier.

Teenagers are already going through enough changes as a result of their identification and personality development.  Teenagers can become fearful, shy, isolated, anxious or depressed, as they go through this phase of life.  They can exhibit behavioral problems, mood swings and anger issues that can be aggravated by an unwanted or unsolicited visitation schedule.  Any visitation calendar should be made with your kid's needs in mind first.  Everything else, must be considered in terms of how is it going to benefit or affect the children's current schedule.  Of course, the parents' working schedule, job and home locations will have to be considered, as well.

Once you have come with a fair and convenient parenting and visitation plan, you should keep it for as much time possible.  You must be aware however, that the schedule is going to go through many changes as your children grow.  Be aware of your children's moods and reaction during each transitional age.  If you notice a problematic or a drastic change in behavior, it might be because it is time for a change in the visitation schedule.  There are many times when teenagers prefer to go to a baseball game with their friends rather than visiting a parent.  Do not take it personally.  Remember, custody and visitation schedules are not about you, they are about your kids.

If you're thinking about changing your parenting and visitation plan, the best practice is to listen to your children's opinion before you move to request the change.

Custody Agreements - Changing Your Parenting Plan As Your Children Grow

Grow Calendar 2011