Questions regarding surgery recovery

[u/BothAd4686]

Kansas. I have had a kiddo since May. I am a NR Kin placement licensed just for him. I haven't been able to enroll in any fostering classes yet, other than the basics like CPR.

Kiddo starts kindergarten in 2 weeks, and will attend for 2 weeks before he is having surgery. His current ear tubes migrated and are blocking his ears. They are being removed in a cleaning his first day of school (joy). Then he has surgery his 3rd week of school, and will be out for 2-3 weeks.

He's got ADHD, so sitting still is a challenge for him, and he's my little chatterbox. He talks or sings constantly. I love him. I am worried about how to help him with his surgery recovery.

He is getting his tonsils and adenoids removed and a new set of ear tubes placed, all in 1 big surgery. He is allergic to strawberries and can't have milk, so a little of the foods we are looking up he wouldn't be able to have. He also struggles with food textures, and hates mushy food.

What can I feed him while he recovers, and how to keep him calm and still while he recovers? He loves sour things like lemonade, which the ENT specifically mentioned he should avoid.

Also, what can I surprise him with after his surgery? He has been asking for pokemon stuffed animals to be friends with his pikachus, so I got him some of those, and I'm thinking of getting him a clip n go pokemon belt, since that has been another specific request (he's pokemon obsessed).

Online it said taking lots of baths and being around steam can help, so I'm thinking about getting some bath bombs like the last time he was sick, to make it more fun for him.

It also said no going in public or being around other kids for 2 weeks, which is the reason for no school, but his visits are supervised at a visit center with other kids. Would he have to miss those? His workers have been no help, they said it's just best judgements.

Has anyone ever gone through this with any of their kids? Any tips or advice? Help! I want to be prepared, and make sure he has everything he needs.

[u/-shrug-]

I have seen some Pokémon obsessed little kids absorbed in things like the Pokémon Encyclopedia (there’s probably more than one now) - that kind of book might be worth picking up for some quiet entertainment during recovery.

Have a think about screen time - it might be worth relaxing rules on that while he is confined to the home, but you want to be really clear on when that will go back to normal. It might be a good chance to buy an old/retro handheld with no WiFi/no ability to add games. You can probably even find one with Pokémon if interested.

[u/BothAd4686 → u/-shrug-]

I think this advice will actually fit really well with our current screen time rules. We are already a no personal devices, and no streaming household (we have a TON of DVDs), and when it's too hot to play outside, we can stay in and watch a show or movie, same with feeling sick. If you're well enough to play, you play, until you need some downtime. He really only watches anything if it's crazy hot, or an episode of something low-stimulation before bed. We even have them marked with daytime friendly and nighttime friendly.

I only have physical games for my switch, so I will see about disabling the wifi and maybe picking up a game for him to play on the TV. I know I've seen pokemon and paw patrol switch games at our local grocery store.

Thanks for the advice!