How did your kids handle the change(s) in you?

[Heatherr 149]

Hmmm, upset to see Mom happy? Not a good sign, is he getting signals from someone else? Or perhaps he is insecure about himself? Tough age, most important piece of advice I can offer from the police side of things, DONT let him control you! I see this all the time kids that manipulate and control parents in trouble. You must take control status in parental relationship

c&p that ^^^^^^

I don't think that is it at all. Wow. Kids love us unconditionally and get comfort from routines and everything being normal. All of a sudden, Mom is changing fairly drastically, and it can totally cause some distress, how can it not? My kids are all supportive, though my 6yo keeps asking when I'm going to have the surgery. He thinks I am going to simply come home skinny as well. It is so cute. The one who is having the tough time is my 9yo daughter. She's happy for me, but she's been quite open about her feelings. She has told me on more than one occasion that she is going to miss the old me and she gets teary. I comfort her and tell her it'll be slow, so she will hardly notice that I'm any different to her. It has nothing to do with lack of parenting or a need to be her friend. It has everything to do with good parenting and my role in helping her ease through a stressful situation. I've been doing it since she was born....you know....the first time she slept with the lights out, the first time she stayed with a babysitter, her first scraped knee, her first day at school and will continue to do so until the day I drop her off at college and beyond.

[Heatherr 149]

Having said that, my older sons, 12yo and 11yo, seem hardly distracted by it all. In fact, I use it as ammunition to make my 12yo son gag. I say to him all the time "Hey, Michael, I'm gonna be hot next year." And he does the typical 12yo response "Ewwwww, Mommmmmmmmm, gross! I can't think of you that way." It so gives me pleasure to tease him with it all.

[treequeen 13]

I ask my son if he wants to ask any questions and then answer them to the best of my ability without causing him distress. He seems ok right now as we wait for a surgery date. After will be interesting...I am hoping I am one of the lucky ppl who doesn't suffer too much afterward...and can keep my hormones in check so he won't have to deal with mood swings.