Tics and Paint

[emma1]

My daughter has strep induced tics/ocd, which are pretty much under control -- not perfect, but what is? She wants to paint her room -- I have been putting it off as I am afraid that the fumes, smell, something, anything, will set her off again. She is older (16) and has now said that if I won't have it done, then she is just going to buy the paint and do it herself with her friends!! I don't know what to say -- her room does need to be painted, but. . .I just don't want to have everything spiral out of control. Does anyone have any advice on this??? Thanks! (Sorry if this seems petty to any of you dealing with larger issues. Believe me -- I have been at the point where our issues were much more centered on just making it through the day!)

[Hope]

Hello. We have a great deal of painting to do in our home. We moved two years ago and there are still many rooms to be painted. I have avoided doing so due to my son's tics that started last spring.

 

Unfortunately, I can't tell you for sure what will happen if you do decide to paint but have you considered LOW-VOC or NO-VOC paints? I found this link to be helpful. I know I will be looking into them more when we choose to paint. I am hoping to be able to paint in the spring with the windows open!

 

 

LOW-VOC and NO-VOC paint info

 

Hope this helps!

[faith]

If the painting must be done, just don't let HER do the actual painting. Make sure she is out of the room while its being done (or better yet, out of the house). Then let the paint settle for a couple of days before she sleeps in the room. If you have a hepa filter, keep that going for a while too.

 

 

Faith

[Chemar]

do be very very careful on this!

 

I dont have time to look for it now as am working, but I am pretty sure Claire has a thread here on the negative effect of regular paint on tics There are "friendlier" paints, and I think Claire named them too on that thread.

maybe do an advanced search on PAINT and Claire for this forum to find the info

[lurker]

Emma,

 

It's not petty. You could arrange to have the room painted as you are leaving for a weekend, or have her spend the night at a friend's house, or if you want her to have the autonomy of painting her own room, I believe Home Depot rents equipment for this -- some type of mask thing for toxic jobs. (I know that last part sounds like a joke, but I'm serious.)

 

In any event, after the room is done, move her out of it for a while, open windows, put a fan or two in it, put a towel at the base of the door, and turn the central air system off.

 

Tami

[Chemar]

sorry to rush by again........

I did a quick search and found this thread so far

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1889

[lurker]

It'll be expensive, but ... wallpaper?

 

My kids are much younger, but I was 16 once. If I recall, I thought I was bulletproof and Mom worried too much. Try to offer her some choices so she knows she's being heard and doesn't take matters into her own hands. I'm going to go call my mother and apologize.