It hasn't always been easy or fun getting my children, who happen to have Migraines, ready for school each September. When they were in grade school, the supply list seemed endless. Notebooks, pens, pencils, colored markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, paper, and post-it notes in every different size you could imagine needed to be purchased; and Kleenex, lots and lots of Kleenex. New lunch boxes, new backpacks, light-up sneakers, juice boxes, you name it - they needed it.
Every year, a new doctor's note or school nurse instruction form had to be completed. You know, the note that allowed your child to get the correct medication at the correct time when a Migraine attack occurred, or any other condition they might need. That's the way our grammar schools work in this area. Thankfully for my children, their trips to the nurse were few and far between. But for some children, the nurse's office becomes a "second home" during their school day.
Middle school Migraineurs have a slightly different battle in front of them. Their school supply list is a bit shorter, but the doctor's note remains the same. Migraineurs at this age also need to bring their most positive, confident polished attitude with them to school. We all know how awful middle school can be. The emotional stress caused by starting new school year can wreak havoc with anyone. This age group seems to be especially unpleasant due to grades, puberty, bullying, and their all-important friends. All these issues can put any Migraineur under more stress, thereby making them more susceptible to certain triggers. Dehydration is a big trigger for both my children. Sleeping is another one. They both need to maintain a regular sleep pattern to help avoid a Migraine. In my opinion, it's a parent's job to understand the disease or condition our children have. This is a great age to start the process. Teaching them to recognize and avoid certain Migraine triggers, while learning how to deal and cope with new life stressors isn't easy, but it can be done. I hope they will thank us later! Or as I like to say, "I'll just put another dollar in the therapy jar!"
A teen Migraineur attending high school may have a difficult go of it too. Although the supply list is incredibly reduced (just the basics - books, notebooks, paper, pens, pencils and a calculator) they still need the doctor's note, and a visit to the nurse is required to get and take your medication. But I'm pretty sure most teens, right or wrong, take care of their PMS, hormones, Migraine, asthma or whatever condition it is they have, on their own. If their case is more severe, a nurse's assistance may be required. Hopefully, by this time your teen understands trigger identification and management. But getting them to adhere to it is a different story. My teen knows that eating too much chocolate will trigger a Migraine, but doesn't always seem to care. He knows dehydration is another trigger and is usually pretty good about staying hydrated. His sleeping pattern isn't too horrible, but he will pay for it with a Migraine if he strays from his usual routine. Being a teen isn't easy. If a chronic condition is part of their life, it may miserable but manageable.
