How did you explain cpap to your kiddos?

[Victoria]

My appointment with the RT and DME is Monday afternoon, so I assume that I'll be trying out all my new cpap gear on Monday night. I have yet to mention anything about cpap to my four kiddos, however. Not that I'm trying to avoid it or anything, I just haven't gotten around to it, and I'm thinking maybe I should say something before they barge in on Tuesday morning and wonder whats up with all the mask and hose gear...They knew that I went for a sleep study, and we explained it by saying that some doctors were going to see if they could help mom not to snore so much. (This explanation was greeted with a cheer, and hopes that mom would no longer be falling asleep on the couch while they try to watch Sponge Bob.) But I haven't as yet brought up the mask and machine topic. I guess I'll probably just keep it simple, but I would love to hear from other parents who have had this conversation....in case anyone has a super-terrific analogy or something to tell the kids.... thanks!

[JeffH]

Don't have any kids, but if it were me I'd get a flexible hose (something small you can pinch together and stop air flow). I'd let them breath thru this and then pinch it shut and then explain to them that is what happens to your air way and cpap is going to blow air in your airway strong enough to keep it open so you can breath right.

FWIW

JeffH

[Linus]

Explain it to them. Show them the equipment. Make it interesting. That is how I did it. I even let them try on my mask to see how it fits. The only comment I got is that I looked like an elephant. Discussion is the best thing you can do.

[john_dozer]

You could stick to the story about it stopping you from snoring. It would be true and snoring is relatively benign and chances are it won't upset the kids. Obviously, I wouldn't tell them you need it so your ticker won't explode one day.

But it really depends on the childrens' age.

My 7 year old nephew walked in on my showing off my new gear to my brother. He looked shocked and almost a little scared. I told him simply that 'I don't breath properly when I sleep and this helps me.' The shocked look disappeared and he ran off to play with some toys. I think I could have said anything really and he would have been reassured I think.

[goose]

My kids are grown and gone, but......
Depending on their ages just explain it honestly in the most simple terms they'll be able to understand. Being open and keeping a discussion going is the best idea!!!! You'll know how much detail they can deal with....
If they show any curiosity let them try on the mask (probably won't fit if their young). You can also make it fun if you have a camera
It's important to allay any fears and let them know it will help mom's health.
An analogy would also depend on age - but Jeff's is pretty good.....Close off the air, make it difficult to take a breath and explain that this is what happens to you all night.....and the machine keeps the air coming.....

By the by -- Welcome to the forum!!!!



As you've already found, it's a great place to get information about our common affliction. Be sure to visit the lightbulb for our collective wisdom and the "new users" icon at the top of each page......Tons of good info!!!!

Good luck - Take care
cheers
goose

[SleepGuy]

My kids "got" it pretty fast.

I just explained that When I sleep the back of my throat closes off and I can stop breathing.

This machine helps me breathe when I sleep.

Ever since they've called it dad's "sleeping machine" and get really worried about the idea of me napping or sleeping without it.

And they like how it smells and enjoy cuddling up with me in bed sometimes (not so much anymore now that they're bigger).

[wlk]

Explain it to them. Show them the equipment. Make it interesting. That is how I did it. I even let them try on my mask to see how it fits. The only comment I got is that I looked like an elephant. Discussion is the best thing you can do.

Yes, excellent advice.

I had not even gotten to the snoring part of the explanation when my 6 yr old made the intuitive leap " Daddy, will this machine make you quit snoring? I hope so! Your snoring wakes me up a lot!" (and his room is down the hall!

He came to me a couple of days later and thanked me for helping improve his sleep by not snoring!

[sleepycarol]

Although my kids are grown I have grandkids. When I first received my equipment I knew that Ihad some explaining to do as they often stay the night. Before I saw them I had it all hooked up (they could help you) and was a little apprehensive when it came time to explain as they ranged in age from 10 down to 2. I simply explained that grandma didn't breathe good (I have asthma so they understood that part -- although of course we know the two are not connected ) at night. The machine was going to help with this problem. Since my granddaughter have often slept with me when grandpa is working away from home then have woke me up "to start breathing." I let them try the mask on, let them feel the air coming from the hose, turn the machine off and on, and explained it was not a toy and they mustn't play with it as it was expensive. They have never bothered my machine, etc. and realize it is something I do.

It was about a year after I got my equipment that their other grandma had a sleep test done and is now on a cpap and she couldn't figure out why it didn't bother the grandkids.

[jda1000]

Well, sure - kiddos are great and raising them well the world's most creative challenge and all that, but storks aren't bringing them anymore.

So first things first: how and when do the single folk here explain the Darth Vader dress-up kit to playmates, if any?

If I ever catch up on my sleep, I might start dating again...

"SWM with CPAP seeks S/DWF with or without external breathing device. My AHI is consistently under 5. Yours?"

"Turbocharged SWM seeks...."

"SWM seeks SWF with Darth Vader fixation...."

Perhaps it is best to just wait until that first magical evening is winding down, and then blithely open the bedside cabinet, drag out the mask and hose, and explain the cords and clamps on the headboard have multiple uses......

[Grems4ever]

Couple of comments here...

First, my kids didn't have a problem with it since my dad has CPAP and they've been around it their entire life.

Next, saving one from napping during "Sponge-Bob" isn't therapy, its more like torture. Someone should alert the Geneva convention.

Finally, the "Darth Vader" syndrome isn't that bad. Anakin wasn't that bad looking before the suit. If a partner is worth your time, they'll see what lies beneath the mask.

David

[OldLincoln]

1. Why not just tell them you are from another planet and if you don't do CPAP your scales, claws and fangs will begin to show and scare people.

2. Tell them you were naughty as a kid and this is what happens to naughty kids when they get older.

3. Tell them you used up all your super powers and are trying to get them back.

4. Tell them you got a "D" once in school and you know what happens then?

5. Tell them you stayed awake all night to see Santa come down the chimney and he put a spell on you.

This is fun, Weeee, to much coffee again......

[Grems4ever]

Besides, who can resist the temptation to say, "________________, I am your father." The line works so much better when the breathing effects are there.

After the first night of CPAP, my wife made a comment along the lines of knowing what sleeping with Darth Vader must have been like.

[LoQ]

You've already prepped them. I think I would just show them the equipment when you first bring it home, and with a very positive attitude, tell them it's going to help you with your sleeping problem. The thing is, if you present it as a negative, it's going to be a negative to them. Otherwise, they are going to accept it as normal.

Tell them it's like a pilot's mask that helps the pilot to breath when the air is "thin." It looks pretty much like that in some cases. Maybe show them a picture of a pilot's mask first and tell them it's pretty much like that except you don't have to wear a hard helmet but a smaller softer device to hold the mask on.

One interesting thing I've noticed about kids is that they don't see medical aids the same way we do. They think motorized wheelchairs are the greatest thing since sliced bread, but many adults feel very sorry for people having to use them. I've seen kids react similarly to other medical equipment. Anything new and different is going to be interesting to children.

[Shellie_p]

I just told em that I had to have this machine to be able to sleep right at night. And they were cool with it. And answer any questions they had.
They were newborn, 3 and 8 when I started on CPAP.

Then my best friend tried on my mask/headgear and went goofing through the house making trumpeting(elephant) sounds (she had the mask and hose on) and had the kids giggling like mad.
They are now well trained that if they see me doze off without my machine to wake me.
I find that the kids can handle most things WAY easier then we think if you just sit down with them and talk about it. It also teaches them too, if you cant answer a question for them to see you go online, call the doc etc. to get questions answered. My 15 year old is so used to it that she went for asurgical consult recently and she amazed the doctor at the sheer # of questions and her tenacity of pushing for answers. He said he wasnt used to teens acting that way.

[2paps]

My 3 yr old grandson likes to help us put our masks together & hook our hoses to the machines when he stays over. He is not bothered at all by the equipment.