The Mom's Book of Worries

And why am I posting today? My son is approaching 5 and loves helping making his Cars mac and cheese. Even while being in there with him and watching the pot, one second of helping my daughter was all it took to hear the dreaded screaming. I knew immediately what happened, boil over. His belly. After cooling the skin with COOL water and applying a thin layer of neosporin I coated the surrounding skin with aloe sunburn gel and placed a small gauze pad over the area and LOOSELY wrapped his belly to avoid tape.  Because of his age, he gets tylenol and rest.

Go to Kid's Health Site

If you have kids, you want to know what to do in the case of accidents, and burns are very common in toddler to teen years. The following is some quick guidelines that you can save, print and place in the fridge (close to where most burn accidents happen)

http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?lic=1&article_set=32119&cat_id=20221

Hopefully you never have to deal with burns, but odds are you will have at least one type to treat at some point in your life. Being prepared is always the key. Stay calm, your child is already in pain and scared, so seeing that you are calm and acting quickly to help ease the pain will make all the difference.

My little guy is already back to watching the cartoons and munching snacks, but I'll continue to monitor the burn and watch for signs of infection or any need to go in to see a doctor. Having a medical background helps, but if you are unsure or do not have the proper bandages and ointments, call your pediatrician for help.

It's always best to ask for help if you don't know exactly how to proceed. Remember NO Butter!! on burns and any burns near the face, genitals or large in size need to be seen immediately.

As it heals it will itch, so keep it covered loosely to prevent scratching!

The above link I found the most helpful, go to http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/burns.html# to see the entire article and other informative posts on Kid's Health.

Last night as we traveled home both our little darlings were snotting and miserable. I always hate to see my babies sick! And I know they have to be miserable when they get the body aches.

Some common sense mixed with medical fact...

The old standby of chicken noodle soup is the way to go for most stuffy heads. The warmth and steam will help loosen it up! For adults add in extra pepper! (Works for me!)

For sore throats go soft, but avoid just giving them ice cream. Scrambled Eggs, soups, oatmeal. For a cough that won't stop, try Honey! Swirl into hot tea at night to help them drift off to sleep.

Honey Stick From Aunt Kelly

The adage about starving a fever is a big no no! In fact our bodies need more calories when we have a fever, not less! Slip in extra calories wherever you can. Mash up bananas in peanut butter, powdered milk in the mac n cheese, even try fruit smoothies instead of plain ice cream.

Saltines are great for upset tummies of any age, and yogurt is usually fine. Popsicles are your best tool and can be homemade with real fruit juices.

Sugar should be avoided during sickness and recovery. It actually causes inflammation and can make you feel worse. So avoid fast food favs after an illness and try to get them eating grains, veggies and lean proteins.

Do your kids love mushrooms? They are natural viral attackers and can shorted the life of some flu viruses. (Read this article for more than ever wanted to know.)

Want something other than food tips? Steamy showers, warm washcloths for the face, vapor rubs (Try rubbing on the soles of the feet and applying socks to lessen coughing at night!) Saline irrigation, and aromatherapy steam sessions like adding Eucalyptus (which is known to open up bronchial tubes, ease congestion, and make breathing easier) or fresh ground ginger to a sink full of steamy hot water and leaning over with a towel draped around your head to capture the steam.

Go at their pace when your kids are sick. Try to let them have what their bodies are craving but limit sugar and replace with healthy calories. Let them play for little bursts and try to keep them at rest whenever possible. They'll appreciate the tender loving care. (Maybe when they're older) ;)

We never really grow up when it comes to fast rides and adrenaline. Who was the first person to think, this lawn tractor is pretty cool, I bet it can out pull my neighbors? Whoever it was, and I'm counting on it being a guy, we can thank them for the fun we all had this weekend.

The kids loved climbing the 'wall' and getting a good look at those loud tractors. It was a slow day, but when you are having a good time, eating grilled food and laughing with friends and family, the times goes by quickly!

Its a highly competitive yet friendly sport that kids of all ages can enter. Look up the fun in your home town and see if it's something your young aspiring gear head would love. They have pedal powered ones for the young kids and have stock classes for those of you who would rather put them on your mower than go out and supe up a custom one.


My son fell in love with a 'blue one' and put in his order to Dad. He loves anything he drive, my daughter likes to ride and watch so far, and I'm fine with that! She'll probably be a cheer leader in high school! :)

It was a breezy evening, and a fun family friendly event. It looks like we've already hooked the kids and will be returning soon. Maybe we'll see you there!

As I was recovering at home I had several days where I was asleep or at doctor's appointments while the kids were at full creative speed.

So the following story is as it was told to me.

My two darlings found my makeup bag and decided that black mascara looked an awful lot like a very nifty carpet and room paint brush/marker.

When my son was told that Mommy was going to be very upset when she sees this mess, his quick reply was "Oh! We'd Better Pray!" How can I not smile after that? What's a few black smudges on an already damaged carpet when they are learning lessons like that!

I just hope they are over the color-the-carpet stage soon, so I can get safely get another! Now off to find a better hiding spot for my makeup things!

Supervision is perhaps a parents biggest and most time consuming task. It takes little ones mere seconds to perform the most destructive of acts!

Mine for instance can poop their pants and then manage to get it all over the bathroom in a moment. While I think they are using the potty as directed, they are in fact wipping thier soiled hands all over the rug, shower curtain and wall. Then they proceed to roll the entire roll of toilet paper into the commode before flushing and coming to me for a high five.

I take that moment to understand that something is amiss of course, thankfully before giving them their bowl of finger food snacks! I mean gross!

The funny picture I found for today, shows another set of kids doing what imaginative and healthy children do too often. Whatever they find interesting at that moment. Good luck to all the parent's out there who have creative and active kids!

Do you ever feel like your kids have you right where they want you? I know there are days when I feel like the kids get the better of me right from the start!

But when I feel like they are pushing every button I have and my temper is about to flare, I try to remember that it's all perception. Sometimes stepping back and looking from a different angle is all it takes to turn a head banging moment to a laugh. Or at the very least, a sigh.