Entertaining kids andkeeping up with theirenergy can be a challenge,especially whenyou have arthritis. Butwith planning, a positiveattitude and some helpfrom others, you canenjoy your time with themwithout paying for it laterin joint pain andfatigue.
Bob Richardson, a physicaltherapist with DukeLifePoint Hospital in Henderson,North Carolina,and grandfather of seven,offers these suggestions.
TAKE A TEAMAPPROACH.Follow theold adage: themore the merrier. Keepingup with children iseasier when other familymembers or friends joinin the fun and give you abreak when you need tostop and rest.
BRING OUT THEBOARD GAMES.Whether it’s Candy Landfor the little ones orMonopoly or chess for olderkids, almost everyone likesboard games. Richardson’sfavorite: Jenga, ablock-stacking game thatinvolves problem-solvingskills. If small game piecesare difficult to manipulate,look for larger versionsof favorite games or, forsome games, have thekids move pieces for you.
BE A GOOD SPORT.Maybe you can’t kick a soccerball or shoot hoops, butthere are other sports youcan enjoy together, such asgolf (most kids love ridingin golf carts) or swimming.If they play sports, attendtheir games and be theirbiggest cheerleader.
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.Work in the garden withthem or go for a walk – go atyour own pace and let olderkids run ahead and comeback to you, says Richardson.His favorite: lying onthe grass (on a cushy mator chaise) and looking atthe stars on a clear night.
GET CRAFTY.Share your hobby witha child or grandchild.Knitting, quilting, sewingand woodworking are有趣的选择。
PICK UP A GOOD BOOK.Young children enjoybeing read to; older kidsmay, too. Afterward,讨论这本书。A fewquestions to start with:What did they like aboutit? Who was their favoritecharacter, and why?
会做饭。Teach kids tocookand toget dinner on the table.They will learn an importantlife skill and enjoy ameal they helped prepare.You can enlist their helpwith tasks that are painfulfor you, like stirringand cleanup.
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