The Mom's Book of Worries

I vividly remember the chants we recited without fully understanding as children. "Liar, Liar... Cinderella dressed in yellow... Cross my Heart..."

Honestly that last one was a bit hard for me to say. I did not want to visualize a needle in my eye or worse, hope to die! Although the original is much longer and speaks of breaking a promise to save a friend even if it means loosing the friendship, it is not on my list of favs.

But I find myself thinking about it as my son transitions from his first school to his new Kindergarten. It was a long few weeks and I was worried that I had made a terrible blunder in moving him a few months after the school year, but there was nothing else to do. So I had to make it up to him. I had to motivate him to do his best in school. I had to encourage new friendships.

So I promised him a guinea pig.

That is surely what you were expecting!? We made a vow as a family that if he could go a whole week following directions, completing his work on time, and keeping his 'light on green' at school, he could have a guinea pig.

Well the first week didn't go so hot and I was starting to seriously doubt my instincts, but by the third week he was sailing. He ended the early week on yellow, and had to start over. He kept trying. He chose a name and a color pattern, and would light up whenever he told anyone who would listen about his guinea pig.

And so Jeffrey is fat, fluffy and already attached to his new friend. They were inseparable today and they are even cozyed up under the same blanket! Do I stash him away or see how the first night goes?

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) ;)

My little princess hates to sleep in her bed I think. I haven't found a pea under the mattress yet, but I'm still looking for one.

One day we find our peanut in her closet fast asleep with her blanket under her head. most mornings she is lying across the width of her bed with her blanket over her head, or with it tucked under her pillow.

We tried darkening the room, but this morning we find her passed out on the living room carpet. Thankfully she couldn't get any of the doors to the outside open.

We don't know if this is sleepwalking, or just her way of being independent. She loves to get her beauty sleep, so we are scratching our heads at this one. Our son, we would know he just didn't want to go to bed, but with our daughter the reasons elude us.

I found a helpful tidbit on sleepwalking toddlers if you ever experience this with one of your precious charges.

SLEEPWALKING TODDLERS:

"Sleepwalking and sleep talking happen when a child is in a deep sleep. While sleepwalking, your child may have a blank, staring face. They may not respond to others and be very difficult to awaken. When your child does wake up, they will probably not remember the episode. Sleepwalking children will often return to bed by themselves and will not even remember that they have gotten out of bed. Sleepwalking can be common, and tends to run in families. It can even occur several times in one night among older children and teenagers.
How to handle sleepwalking and sleep talking:

• Make sure your child doesn't hurt them self while sleepwalking. Clear the bedroom area of potential hazards that your child could trip over or fall on.
• Lock outside doors so your child cannot leave the house.
• Block stairways so your child cannot go up or down.
• There is no need to try to wake your child when they are sleepwalking or sleep talking. Gently lead them back to bed and they will probably settle down on their own.

Sleepwalking and sleep talking are more likely to occur when your child is overly tired or under stress. Keeping your child's sleep schedule regular may help prevent sleepwalking and sleep talking."