A family member is getting married tomorrow (Saturday) at 5PM in a small backyard ceremony. The marriage ceremony will take place outside -we were told it would last about 20 minutes. Dinner immediately following will be indoors. My nine year old son is extremely sensitive to the heat. He cannot last nearly as long as his peers. They might get red cheeks, but he sweats profusely from his head, then starts to get very quiet. He also complains of a headache and/or tummy ache. I have just gotten into the habit of limiting his outdoor activities (except swimming of course) on very hot days. The forecast is for 102 tomorrow, with a heat index of 110; there is an excessive heat warning until Sunday morning. I was thinking about just going to the wedding myself (since it's my side of the family). I suppose we could all go and my husband could take my son inside during the ceremony if he starts looking too sweaty. I will also bring plenty of water. I'm wondering if all of you think it's dangerous to bring my son or if we should give it a try. Thanks for the input!
Thank you for all the great ideas and thoughtful responses. My son's annual check-up is approaching, so I will definitely ask about his heat sensitivity - it definitely has an impact on all our lives, especially my son's. In a couple of years he will be old enough to participate in summer outings with our church youth group, and I want him to enjoy himself. I also like all the suggestions about getting him to be more responsible for his own health and knowing when he needs to seek shade. We went to the wedding - I would have felt terrible if we didn't. I purchased several personal mister fans before leaving. Unfortunatley, the day did not progress as I was told, but my son was a real trooper. The hosts only had the A.C. operating in their baby's room (maybe it was on a separate thermostat as I have seen before?). They did have quite a few fans in the rest of the house but I have no idea why the A.C. was off. I let my son get out his D.S. and he sat in a chair near the door of the baby's room for a while. He seemed okay outside during the wedding, and even though it was hot in the house, he ate well and seemed content. Also, a nearby storm gave us some cloud cover. Thanks again for all of your input. I'm glad we didn't miss out on this day!
I would go. I can't imagine 20 minutes would do him in. If all else fails Dad can take him inside like you suggested.
~Gotta build up his tolerance to the heat. He is gonna have to deal with it his whole life.
cant he sit inside for 20 minutes playing a game device like a DS or watch tv? it's terrible you would even consider missing out on a family members wedding when there are plenty options for a 9 yr old
I would bring him, but keep him inside or even stay in the air conditioned car if needed. The ceremony will be short (hopefully) and the rest is inside.
I would go to the wedding as planned. What if all the guests decided it was too hot and didn't want to bother to go?
It's not like you are going to be outside that long. I'm sure the bride and groom will try to make it as quickly as possible so they have pics with little to no sweat.
If you son is that intolerant, let him sit inside.
Be with family on this special day.
I would go.
Lots of kids get tomato cheeks in summer, its very normal.
Take the family, and put the kiddo inside (with or without dad if necessary). I'm sure there will be some other relatives (older, babies, etc.) that will need to be inside, too.
I'm sure everyone will hurry along the ceremony if it gets too miserable....or provide shade/fans, etc.
Don't miss a great opportunity to visit with family, and take pics of everyone dressed up.
I would go and let your son wait inside during the ceremony. Enjoy the wedding!
Let him be in the shade or indoors.
You just have to decide whether only you will attend, or your husband too. So that one of you can be with your son, inside.
You know your son's condition best... he seems to react more negatively to sun/heat than the normal person. So heed to his condition as you know it.
Many people old or young, can get heat stroke or sunburned very easily.
Looking back on your other posts - everything you have ever posted is about the health of your DS. You may just be a tad bit overprotective with him and his health. I would go and try it out. Sweating is normal, getting a red face is normal. Just stay hydrated, and have him wear dress shorts and a button down short sleeve shirt.
I'd go. Sounds like you will have the proper precautions and a back-up plan (going indoors) if he can't last.
Have a great time!
I would go and take the family. If your son starts feeling ill, let him go inside. (Clue someone that this might happen.) I doubt that the outdoor ceremony in that heat will last any longer than it needs to!
When I was young, I would start to wilt after a short time, too. Turns out I had hypoglycemia, but I didn't know it until I was grown up. So show your son where the entrance to shade (indoors?) is before the ceremony, try to sit close to that place, and encourage your son to head there quietly and in time not to call attention to himself. That's the way the big people do it.
I would take him, and maybe bring along one of those little personal mister/fans for him to use... Maybe even some ice packs, that he can put on his wrists or back of his neck to lower his body temperature. If he still gets too hot, I'm sure no one would be offended if your husband took your son inside.
I would take everyone and have him go inside if he starts to show signs of distress.
Um, what does he do during a hot recess at school?
And if the heat bothers him that much, why not just let him stay inside and watch TV or something?
He's nine, it's not like he needs constant supervision, right?
Go for it and see what happens.
Go and let your son stay inside.
He should be fine in AC.
If he's heat sensitive, don't push him in this heat.
This wave we're having is a killer, and the young and the elderly are susceptible.
i can totally sympathize with your son! i am VERY sensitive to the heat, it started when i was about 8 years old - i can't even tell you how many times i would be playing tennis or doing something else outside, then wake up in an ambulance... this went on for many years, i had every medical test under the sun, twice at least, and no specific diagnosis has been found... i just don't tolerate heat well AT ALL. 2 of my 3 children are the SAME way - my 6yo fainted at the kinder zoo field trip in april(fortunately, i was there) - my now 9yo fainted at a funeral when he was 6 or 7. they BOTH struggle in the heat, as do i. some things i have found that help us: if i know we are gonna be in the heat, i am neurotic about hydrating us all day prior to being outside with WATER and only water, then we drink large amounts of water and gatorade while we're actually outside, a good sunscreen will help to deflect the sun and a small portion of the heat(we like aveeno), i also try to dress us in as little as possible, and as lightweight of a fabric as possible. all that said, i would most likely plan to go - i'd dress him in a nice pair of khaki/navy shorts, nice leather sandals, and a nice short sleeve button up shirt(much more lightweight than a polo shirt) - no hat of any sort, that will just keep his head hot... he should have a bottle of gatorade in his hand while outdoors, if he gets too hot, someone needs to escort him QUIETLY inside, or just let him stay inside to start with. good luck!
@Grandma T - clearly she's not just talking about red cheeks, this child exhibits symptoms of heat exhaustion/heat stroke - that can be deadly, it's not "normal"
In this kind of heat, I am SURE that he will not be the only one there that needs to stay inside. I would have him bring a book or a video game or something to keep him entertained during the ceremony. I'm sure there will be others there to keep him company!
Please go. Surely someone there will be in the house. He could stay in with them. If no one else, then your husband could do it.
If anyone asks (and you don't have to mention it), just tell them he doesn't handle the heat well and you didn't want it to make a scene. They'll understand.
Weddings are very special, and having your family there, even if two of them are in the house, will mean a lot to them.
Dawn
Sweating is our body's way of cooling itself, it's a good thing. There are actually people who cannot sweat, they have dangerous problems in the heat.
Have him hydrate starting tonight and throughout the day tomorrow, and get there a few minutes early and set him up in the house where he can stay cooler. Does he have any video games or something he can amuse himself with without roaming through the house unsupervised? 20 minutes or so isn't long at all, then you will all be inside, so go!
If you have RSVP'D yes, attend and send him inside for a little while, or can he stay home alone?
We also have purchased some of those fans with the suirt bottles.
Placing cool tweaks behind his neck and on his wrists will help.
I would go but I would let your husband and son watch from indoors.
If the venue is situated as such, then I would do that so you don't miss out on the wedding.
Keep your son inside the entire time so as not to take a chance.
I assume the post festivities should be indoors.
Can you take two cars? If not, just stick to keeping your son indoors at the wedding.
Does your son want to go? If he does, go and yes have him stay inside if need be. Don't want that to haunt you forever.
You all should go and your son is old enough to sit inside if he gets too hot.
Send him inside for the ceremony. He is 9. He can stay inside by himself.
Stay hydrated. That goes for everyone and you should be fine. Enjoy!
Get some Gator-aide, keep it cold and have him drink some before the wedding. Gator-aide is the only sports drink that will help or get rid of a headache. Make sure he has plenty of water, he'll be fine.
Just make sure all of you keep drinking water all day.
Either is a viable option. For me I'd probably be one of the ones standing just inside the doorway so I could still see and hear everything but was OUT of the sun and heat. I'm VERY fair complected and me and heat are NOT a good mix. I'd say everyone go and just take kiddo inside if it gets to be too much for him.
I live in a very hot climate so i can relate to your question...
If you son wants to go, I would try to find a way to make it work.
-- some other ideas:
-bring a pretty umbrella to shade your family
-bring an extra shirt for your son to change into if he wants to be outside
-water bottle
if you son wants to be inside for the ceremony i am sure your family would understand.
mazal tov (congratultaions) and good luck.
jilly
I live in AZ so I totally understand "excessive heat". Its going to be 106 or hotter here all week. We basically stay inside all summer, unless we are swimming, and only when the pool is shaded, not direct sun.
I would still go to the wedding. Your son is old enough to tell you if he isn't feeling well and someone can stay inside with him until the ceremony is over. Its a wedding and you are family and it would be sad if you missed it. Good luck.
I can't imagine taking kids to a wedding but I would just say let hubby and son stay inside while the actual vows take place then everyone go inside and enjoy.
Just curious if you've asked your son's pediatrician about your son's sensitivity to heat. I would want to know if there was a medical reason for it - after all, it affects his life, as well as your whole family's.
In any event, I agree with the suggestions of keeping him inside while you stay outside. Win/win.
