5 Tips From My 5-Year-Old About Migraines
My son is my guru. Over his little lifespan, my 5-year-old has taught me more about living with my migraines than any adult, self-help book, or fortune cookie. I’m thankful everyday for his nuggets of wisdom, because they come from a pure, unbiased place inside his heart. Here are some of my kid’s best tips I’ve collected over the years.
It will be okay
My migraine was coming. Along with a boiling pain, it also carried with it the guilt that I wouldn’t be able to be a mother to my son. Holding back tears, I told my then 4-year-old and husband that my head was hurting. “It will be okay,” his small voice told me. Those words removed my guilt and reminded me that even though my migraines aren’t okay, I will be.
I've got you
My brain was boiling, and I couldn’t move. My family tip-toed into the darkened room to offer their support. That's when my son pulled the bedcovers up to my shoulders and whispered, “I’ve got you.” I felt his compassion wash over me, and I replayed his words until my migraine abated. I can still hear his soft voice breathe that healing phrase. I use it as a mantra when I have exceptionally bad migraines. When suffering from migraine pain, it definitely helps to have someone who’s “got you.”
Sending love
I’m not always good a sharing my disorder. I keep aspects of my migraines to myself, but this further isolates me in a condition that’s already isolating. My son reminded me that finding support is key when he spontaneously declared, “You know how I can help my mom feel better? By sending her love.” His love is truly magical, and it’s good to remember to reach out and ask for help from all the others that love me, too.
Let it go
I was feeling down about dealing with a bad migraine run when my son decided to serenade me. He’d been Frozen with love for the song Let It Go, and the joy he had while singing, combined with the lyrics, brought me back to a moment where I had no migraine. Wait, what? Clearly, I needed to let it go and enjoy this pain-free moment with my son.
You will feel better
Some days all the medicine, cold compresses, and prayers to Chris Pine simply won’t work to stop my oncoming migraine. Once the pain starts, the only thing I crave (besides crackers and vanilla milkshakes) is the knowledge that the pain will subside. My little guy is great at reminding me that, “Mom, you will feel better.” He’s right. The height of my pain will subside, and I’ll be able to rejoin the world once more.
My little guru continues to offer me great wisdom on a daily basis. I hold it close because his honest viewpoint provides me perspective when I've lost mine. Living with migraines is no fun, but living with my son definitely is.
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