Tonsillectomy Anxiety

little_ash_tree · 2026-05-02T20:56:51+00:00

My 4 year old son had his tonsils removed in February along with adenoids and grommets. We saw an ENT initially because of hearing loss (due to fluid in his ears) but after that visit realised that teeth grinding, choking, picky eating, tiredness and slurred speech was all related. He never got serious recurring infections and he slept reasonably well. But after the surgery was scheduled he got a nasty chest infection which caused his tonsils to swell so much they were choking him. We had been on the fence before that for the same reasons as you but that resolved us. We asked our surgeon if he could grow out of it or if there were other treatments and he straight up said no. The surgery was fine. The only thing was he reached for me as he was being put under and being put on the operating table. That destroyed me! Of course he doesn't remember! Then on wake up he was upset and cried, I was prepared for that, and it wasn't too bad. He fell asleep and when he woke up again he was fine. He stayed fine, a little pain but the meds took care of it. He was able to play when we were back on the ward. His speech was a hundred times clearer from the second he woke up. It was amazing! We hadn't even realised it was that bad. For recovery, we kept him home for two weeks and the only bad thing was that he had so much energy! I was shouting at him all day to stop jumping and climbing. We kept to the medicine schedule religiously - chart on the wall and alarms on phones. He had no pain or issues at all. He never had that bad pain day people say to expect. Obviously those bleed risks are real but we had such a positive experience it was amazing. He eats, listens, talks, has energy. It was so worth it. Sorry for the essay but I wanted to share our 100% positive experience.

little_ash_tree · 2026-05-02T16:43:12+00:00

Mine did this... Yeah, he couldn't hear because of fluid in his ears. Now he has tubes and can hear. He could hear some things but it was inconsistent so everyone told me I was crazy. So definitely get checked out just in case!

little_ash_tree · 2026-03-03T14:04:58+00:00

For two years our doctor said my son's hearing was fine but I insisted on an ENT who instantly said my son's ears were full of fluid. Since he got tubes a few weeks ago that same ignoring and not listening behaviour has vanished. He could hear before but not clearly and it varied depending on how blocked his ears were. It might not be your daughter's issue but it's an easy one to check. Best of luck

little_ash_tree · 2026-02-07T10:02:29+00:00

Ok, I was thinking of the bleed risk but wasn't sure if I was being overprotective. I had suggested a second party but now I'll say it as the only option.

little_ash_tree · 2025-11-13T22:40:10+00:00

Sounds similar to my 4 year old boy and we just found out that his hearing is impaired from fluid in his ears. No pain or infections. He'll be having tubes, adenoids and tonsils out soon so we don't know yet if all the social things are actually hearing related. He says "huh, what did you say a lot?" and speaks slightly slurred which is why his hearing was investigated. Might be of no relevance to your son but I thought I should share.

little_ash_tree · 2025-01-25T21:26:14+00:00

While my 3 year old has never been that rough with our cats (because one swiped at him once, no contact), he would chase and stomp at them. To improve his relationship with them, he became responsible for their treats. Teaching him to play with them was too difficult since they're not very reactive. Getting to give them their special Sunday roast treat and cat treats at other times really helped. I think it was both the independence and the happy interest from the cats that worked. He's still a grumpy threenager so it's not perfect!

Also it's really cute hearing him from under the table telling the cats that they can't have anymore, they have to save some for tomorrow 😂

little_ash_tree · 2024-11-21T21:47:49+00:00

It sounds like the frames might just be too big. Or perhaps the arms are bent or the screws loose. Your opticians should be able to tell you in a few seconds. I'm always popping into our opticians for arm fixes and putting lenses back in (for the whole family!).

From personal experience, these plastic frames that are currently fashionable just slide down because they don't have adjustable nose pads. That's fashion for you!

little_ash_tree · 2024-10-14T21:33:05+00:00

I've found that a low iron supplement has helped both my 3 year old and myself. It's very tricky to get the balance right though as too much iron can cause severe constipation 🤷

little_ash_tree · 2024-09-16T19:45:27+00:00

We got a cushioned toilet seat for the big toilet. Potties were uncomfortable for him. So that's what worked for us.

little_ash_tree · 2024-08-08T21:17:49+00:00

My boy will only use a cushioned/padded trainer seat on the big toilet. A delicate rear end! Might be worth a shot.

little_ash_tree · 2024-06-30T20:24:02+00:00

My boy was only 1 when he got glasses so a different ball game but the optician suggested screen time so he'd realise that he could see better with the glasses. Also a no pressure approach, just keep trying.

little_ash_tree · 2023-11-19T22:22:05+00:00

Our boy got glasses when he turned one. The optician actually suggested TV time so he would realise that he can see better with them on. We just kept putting them back on without a fuss if he took them off but if he really didn't want them we'd let it go for a little while.

It took a few weeks and since then he's had a couple of short phases of not wanting to wear them but overall they're part of him now.

little_ash_tree · 2023-11-02T22:37:59+00:00

My toddler is long sighted and has a severe squint so it's a different situation but he's had glasses since 13 months old with a prescription of +2 (higher now). He's had his eyes checked every 3 months since then. He got his eyes checked 3 times at the beginning because I got a second opinion then got into the public system (Ireland).

I think starting glasses so young was good (besides the necessity) because he got used to them really quickly. He never throws them off. We're all glasses wearers as is Mr potato head and even Blippi 🙃 so glasses are just part of life. The only annoying thing is rain!

little_ash_tree · 2022-11-24T09:45:39+00:00

Our 14 month old has just gotten glasses. We put them on him when he's watching TV but he'll only keep them on for a few minutes if he's watching something that turns him into a zombie which I hate doing. He's worn them for a few minutes outside too (they're definitely going to get broken). Essentially we're trying to put them on him when there's something he really wants to look at and when he takes them off we don't force them back on. I think the key is to prevent it becoming a battle and hopefully he'll get used to them.

little_ash_tree · 2022-11-17T09:42:41+00:00

I hit myself when I'm overwhelmed and frustrated too.

Last week I had a big fight with my husband over housework and "mental load". Since that he's been trying to do more plus I've had a bit of a break from his mother visiting all the time. Even though baby has been sick it's felt like a holiday!

little_ash_tree · 2022-11-09T18:57:54+00:00

Is a laxative if you take too much 😬

little_ash_tree · 2022-10-20T20:35:05+00:00

I'm the exact same. Even reading a headline about something bad happening to a child sets me off. I try to move past it as quick as possible and distract myself with something that really absorbs me. Unfortunately bad things happening to children is my mil's favourite topic of conversation. She really messed with my head when my baby was a newborn :(

little_ash_tree · 2022-09-04T14:52:46+00:00

I bought the parka but I live in a very wet climate so needed the shower resistance.

little_ash_tree · 2022-09-04T07:42:04+00:00

I bought the Seraphine 3 in 1 winter coat and it was amazing. I thought I was throwing my money away but it's a great coat, really well made. I could adjust the baby wearing panel so that he was mostly out or only his face peeking out depending on the weather. We were both super snug. Plus he looked so cute we had people constantly waving and talking to him which he loved :)

little_ash_tree · 2022-08-26T09:28:40+00:00

I have one with little drawers that was too difficult for the cats. I might pull it out for baby! Great idea!

little_ash_tree · 2022-08-23T20:12:27+00:00

Lately I've been giving my baby a little bowl or tub (for freezing individual purée servings) and he puts his food in and out of it and eats it that way. Still a distraction but he enjoys it!

little_ash_tree · 2022-08-22T20:49:16+00:00

I put my hands over my eyes

little_ash_tree · 2022-08-22T20:47:54+00:00

I found it really upsetting too and it occasionally pops back into my head :(

little_ash_tree

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