When do you wear your mask?
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
ITeach,
Love your attitude about kids being much more intelligent than we sometimes give them credit for. I have always been of the same belief. I give children, as well as adults, respect for who they are individually and don't treat them like some people treated me as a child; ie, children should be seen and not heard.
I don't think there should be secrets like this kept from your children, no matter how old they are, unless they are infants. Once a child is old enough to understand what it is all about, you can tell them anything. I would even suggest letting them feel the air come out, explaining that mommy or daddy's throat doesn't cooperate when she/he sleeps and the air makes the throat happier and lets mommy or daddy sleep much better. I would even ask them if they'd like to try on the mask to see how they look in it. They might feel very important if you share the experience with them.
As for my kids, I told the story about how we all had a humongous laugh when I came home in June with the first mask which the DME just gave me until my Oracle would come in in a few days, which was just a stock nasal mask. I put it on for them and we laughed so hard. Then one of my boys wanted to get the digital camera, which is where I drew the line. But my kids are 22, 19 and 12, so it's a bit different. But it's all in how comfortable you are with wearing it that will/can come across in your presentation to your children. If you are a nervous wreck that they'll laugh or be afraid, they will pick up on some type of fear in you and it could make for an unpleasant experience or unnecessarily worry them. If you present it in a light and relaxed manner, that is how they will probably receive it.
I am a firm believe that you can say anything at all to anyone if it's said correctly. I have followed that belief my whole life and it has always worked for me. Tact and honesty I believe go hand in hand and won't lead you in the wrong direction. If you hide that you wear the mask from young children and then they happen to walk in and see you in it, that will probably be something that will stick in their heads for the rest of their lives as a traumatic experience. Could be frightening to young children. So my suggestion would be to be upfront and honest and make your presentation as relaxed as you possibly can come across. And a bit of levity never hurts, too.
Love your attitude about kids being much more intelligent than we sometimes give them credit for. I have always been of the same belief. I give children, as well as adults, respect for who they are individually and don't treat them like some people treated me as a child; ie, children should be seen and not heard.
I don't think there should be secrets like this kept from your children, no matter how old they are, unless they are infants. Once a child is old enough to understand what it is all about, you can tell them anything. I would even suggest letting them feel the air come out, explaining that mommy or daddy's throat doesn't cooperate when she/he sleeps and the air makes the throat happier and lets mommy or daddy sleep much better. I would even ask them if they'd like to try on the mask to see how they look in it. They might feel very important if you share the experience with them.
As for my kids, I told the story about how we all had a humongous laugh when I came home in June with the first mask which the DME just gave me until my Oracle would come in in a few days, which was just a stock nasal mask. I put it on for them and we laughed so hard. Then one of my boys wanted to get the digital camera, which is where I drew the line. But my kids are 22, 19 and 12, so it's a bit different. But it's all in how comfortable you are with wearing it that will/can come across in your presentation to your children. If you are a nervous wreck that they'll laugh or be afraid, they will pick up on some type of fear in you and it could make for an unpleasant experience or unnecessarily worry them. If you present it in a light and relaxed manner, that is how they will probably receive it.
I am a firm believe that you can say anything at all to anyone if it's said correctly. I have followed that belief my whole life and it has always worked for me. Tact and honesty I believe go hand in hand and won't lead you in the wrong direction. If you hide that you wear the mask from young children and then they happen to walk in and see you in it, that will probably be something that will stick in their heads for the rest of their lives as a traumatic experience. Could be frightening to young children. So my suggestion would be to be upfront and honest and make your presentation as relaxed as you possibly can come across. And a bit of levity never hurts, too.
L o R i
I put it on (hey only two nights now!) when I'm ready to go to sleep. I talk too much! Have to wait until the last second! It has been really, really funny trying to get my mask adjusted (final ones that is) when I can't talk because my cpap is on!
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| Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose for rain out/PapCap Headgear and chin strap | ||||
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
No way you talk too much, or your posts would look like mine usually do (LOL). But I can totally relate to that.sleepyred wrote:I put it on (hey only two nights now!) when I'm ready to go to sleep. I talk too much! Have to wait until the last second! It has been really, really funny trying to get my mask adjusted (final ones that is) when I can't talk because my cpap is on!
L o R i
I wear mine for naps and sleep.....
The day I brought it home I introduced it to my 13 and 5 yearold. I am confused by people thinking their children would freak out. ( but you know your kids/grandkids better than me) Both of my children are very curious about everything so they wanted to see it asked what it does and how it worked. I pushed the comfortlite simple interface over their noses with the machine on and had them try to talk... they thought it was great and try to make me talk when I wake up on the couch after a nap with it on. They also know it is not a toy and they leave it alone. ... They also got a kick out of watching me blow up a twin sized airbed with it
The day I brought it home I introduced it to my 13 and 5 yearold. I am confused by people thinking their children would freak out. ( but you know your kids/grandkids better than me) Both of my children are very curious about everything so they wanted to see it asked what it does and how it worked. I pushed the comfortlite simple interface over their noses with the machine on and had them try to talk... they thought it was great and try to make me talk when I wake up on the couch after a nap with it on. They also know it is not a toy and they leave it alone. ... They also got a kick out of watching me blow up a twin sized airbed with it
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Like Grabaham and others, I wear my mask anytime I sleep, even if it is just a 20 minute power nap.
I put my mask on when I'm ready to go to sleep. Note that this is not the same as putting it on when I go to bed! A bed is a multi-purpose piece of furniture. It just happens that sleep is the most common activitiy.
I put my mask on when I'm ready to go to sleep. Note that this is not the same as putting it on when I go to bed! A bed is a multi-purpose piece of furniture. It just happens that sleep is the most common activitiy.
The CPAPer formerly known as WAFlowers
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York