Day 22: The Spoon Theory

A few days I ago I posted about Invisible Disabilities Week and I wrote about The Spoon Theory, which is written by Christine Miserandino.   It is beautifully written and an excellent way to explain what it is like to live every day in pain.  Some days we may not be able to do everything we want to do so we have to pick and choose what we do.  

I have used the spoon theory when explaining my pain to our 3 kids.  Ashleigh lives with pain every day so she already understands.   I gave the spoons to Noah and asked him what he does when he wakes up in the morning.  I do not remember what he said, but I told him no, you get out of bed and that takes a spoon.  Bathroom takes a spoon.  Getting dress for the day takes a spoon.  Shower would be another spoon.  We went through my entire day.  Every time I went up or down these stairs that took a spoon.  Made dinner took a spoon.  So, now he is down to 2 spoons.  It is 7p.  I asked him what do you want to do.  He said video games.  I asked that takes a spoon.  He also wanted to play with Ethan.  I told him that you need a spoon to get to bed.  If you do both, then you won't have enough spoons to get to bed.  Noah understood why I am laying in bed by 8p.  I still will go do something that has to be done like get their clothes for the next day.

Have you explained the Spoon Theory to anyone?  I would love to hear how you explained it.  I am grateful that this was written because it was a way for me to explain what it is like to live every day in pain.
Melissa