Sunday Morning Follies
We woke up this morning and G had a blazing fever. He then said his throat had yuckies. So I get myself a flash light (re: my phone - if you had told me ten years ago I'd use a cell phone to check my kids throat ...) and I look inside and pretty confident the kids got strep.
Now, in years past because of my SAHM status, I'd just wait for the docs office during the week.
Things are different now. Kid has school tomorrow. So I thought, if I get medicine in him, he might be able to go on Monday and worst case definitely Tuesday.
But of course we go and of course the strep test is negative. Virus. And of course, because our health care system is a jacked up mess, they want to give steroids and antibiotics. Now normally I'm opposed to giving steroids but this time ... well we never go to ER/clinic for this stuff (and probably won't again, lesson learned) and he's never had a steroid shot before ... and they probably would make him feel better. So those I said ok. I took a script for the other and unless he pops positive on a test I'm not filling it. I am violently opposed to over use of antibiotics.
So. By 9:30am this morning we had already been to the doctor, grocery store, and done an art project. Not to mention the baby is teething so I was up a good bit of the night. I can see them, if her gums hit the right angle I can see below the surface, there they be, the ridges of two teeth, near to cut. Bless her heart she's coping pretty well. She's also congested (they all are. sigh.). So it's been fun.
By the third kid I am immune to their screaming when they don't want meds / bulb syringe / saline / whatever other treatment plan I surmise is appropriate. She kicks like a kangaroo and she is strong but I pin her down. It's what's best. She sleeps better. She'll get well faster.
I think I'm just mean. Three children have made me mean. I just asked G if he thought his mom was mean. He said no. So that's something.
Nothing like getting your validation from your offspring.
They've been asking to paint pumpkins again (they remember from last year) since they started seeing them in the stores. Oh also, today G says, "mom do people start decorating for Christmas before Halloween even happens?" I had to laugh. No sweetie. Retailers are just insane.
So that picture over there is kind of a give away but it's very fun. I get coupons from shutterfly all the time and one was for a free 16x20 print so I ordered one of those. It's pixelated and bad quality, but the brilliance of stuff above your mantel is you can take a "monet" approach; from far away it looks awesome, but if you get up close it's a hot mess. (name that reference)
It makes me happy. The kids are not wearing those for halloween (the five year old tells me) but I have high hopes their minds can be changed. Hope springs eternal.
Sometimes I feel like my entire life revolves around bribery. Potty training #2 meant bringing back sticker charts and a rewards program. An entire chart is worth $5 at Target.
Well guess who was all sad because he had no opportunity to earn $$. So we had to make a chart for him and he gets stickers for new foods and additional chores. Not his regular chores - those are just things you have to do because you're a person. So cleaning up your toys does not get you a sticker. Feeding the dog does not get you a sticker. Putting your dishes away does not get you a sticker.
But, when mommy made a mess in the kitchen and you ran and got the broom and cleaned it up? Yes. That's a sticker. Helping at bath time and getting all the towels, pajamas for all the kids and getting the water going. That's a sticker.
My little pleaser now actively looks for ways to help when he's of a mind to earn stickers.
Coincidentally I'm asked all the time, "if I get the dog water is that a sticker?" No. "If I help brother with his seatbelt is that a sticker?" No. "If I put all the backpacks away is that a sticker?" Yes.
I feel on some level there is no consistency to my madness but I refuse to give stickers for things he has to do because he's a person who inhabits this house.
But my equanimity demanded that he have an opportunity to earn rewards too. I don't like giving things to one child and not the other. Unless it's a birthday. Than I do.
To that end - I totally know why my sister and I always got the same gifts at Christmas.
Now, in years past because of my SAHM status, I'd just wait for the docs office during the week.
Things are different now. Kid has school tomorrow. So I thought, if I get medicine in him, he might be able to go on Monday and worst case definitely Tuesday.
But of course we go and of course the strep test is negative. Virus. And of course, because our health care system is a jacked up mess, they want to give steroids and antibiotics. Now normally I'm opposed to giving steroids but this time ... well we never go to ER/clinic for this stuff (and probably won't again, lesson learned) and he's never had a steroid shot before ... and they probably would make him feel better. So those I said ok. I took a script for the other and unless he pops positive on a test I'm not filling it. I am violently opposed to over use of antibiotics.
So. By 9:30am this morning we had already been to the doctor, grocery store, and done an art project. Not to mention the baby is teething so I was up a good bit of the night. I can see them, if her gums hit the right angle I can see below the surface, there they be, the ridges of two teeth, near to cut. Bless her heart she's coping pretty well. She's also congested (they all are. sigh.). So it's been fun.
By the third kid I am immune to their screaming when they don't want meds / bulb syringe / saline / whatever other treatment plan I surmise is appropriate. She kicks like a kangaroo and she is strong but I pin her down. It's what's best. She sleeps better. She'll get well faster.
I think I'm just mean. Three children have made me mean. I just asked G if he thought his mom was mean. He said no. So that's something.
Nothing like getting your validation from your offspring.
So that picture over there is kind of a give away but it's very fun. I get coupons from shutterfly all the time and one was for a free 16x20 print so I ordered one of those. It's pixelated and bad quality, but the brilliance of stuff above your mantel is you can take a "monet" approach; from far away it looks awesome, but if you get up close it's a hot mess. (name that reference)
It makes me happy. The kids are not wearing those for halloween (the five year old tells me) but I have high hopes their minds can be changed. Hope springs eternal.
Well guess who was all sad because he had no opportunity to earn $$. So we had to make a chart for him and he gets stickers for new foods and additional chores. Not his regular chores - those are just things you have to do because you're a person. So cleaning up your toys does not get you a sticker. Feeding the dog does not get you a sticker. Putting your dishes away does not get you a sticker.
My little pleaser now actively looks for ways to help when he's of a mind to earn stickers.
Coincidentally I'm asked all the time, "if I get the dog water is that a sticker?" No. "If I help brother with his seatbelt is that a sticker?" No. "If I put all the backpacks away is that a sticker?" Yes.
I feel on some level there is no consistency to my madness but I refuse to give stickers for things he has to do because he's a person who inhabits this house.
But my equanimity demanded that he have an opportunity to earn rewards too. I don't like giving things to one child and not the other. Unless it's a birthday. Than I do.
To that end - I totally know why my sister and I always got the same gifts at Christmas.
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