health Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Forever In Mom Genes

A Spoonful of M&Ms Helps The Medicine Go Down

Feb 11 2013

When your child needs to take meds, whether occasionally for an infection, or daily for a chronic condition, being the adult on “dispensing duty” can be difficult. My memory is not what it use to be. I can barely remember to change out of my slippers before I leave the house (true story). So what’s my point? I forget. Oh yes, it’s tricky keeping track of your child’s medications, especially if they require several doses, at different times of day. Hubby: “Did you give Avery her *whatever drug* yet?” Me: “Um. Ah. I think so. Maybe. I’m not sure. Crap.” Here’s a little trick we use around here now to keep track. A simple a.m./p.m pill dispenser works like a charm but….most young children’s medications are in liquid form – which does not jive with the pill dispenser thingamabobber. So we use an M&M in place of the liquid med. When your child takes the medicine, you give them the candy. Not only is it a bribe to take the icky medicine, it acts as a visual so you or your spouse or any other pill dispensing adult in your home, knows whether or not the medication has been given. Setting an[…]

Jan 29 2013

No matter how hard I try to keep them out, the little buggers always find their way in. I’m talking about germs, not my family. Though I can’t say I haven’t fantasized about locking them out in the yard, just for a few minutes. And so there’s no confusion, I changed “dirty” husband to “messy” husband. I wouldn’t want anyone thinking I married some kind of perv. He’s sweet, even though he leaves his stinky germy sports stuff all over the house. This flu season I implemented a few anti-germ rules that seem to be helping the battle—from what I can tell anyway. I don’t examine my home with one of those forensic blue lights. If I did I surely vomit on the spot. And then run the blue light over that, like a Control Group kind of thing for the sake of science. Our Anti-Germ House Rules: 1. No shoes past the front entrance hall. Do you know how many disgusting germs travel by shoe? 2. Upon entering the house, all must head to the bathroom for a thorough hand washing. 3. No school bags directly on the kitchen counter or table. Backpacks are covered in billions of microscopic[…]

Feb 10 2012

Children love to share things with us, don’t they? Their stories, their dreams, their love and…their disgusting germs. My first few years as a teacher, I was sick ALL THE TIME. My newbie immune system hadn’t yet built up an adequate cooty defense system. And since I taught young children (who suck and lick things, touch EVERYTHING, pick their noses….often, and sneeze and cough without covering their mouths) I didn’t stand a chance. Tired, stressed and thus “immune system deprived” parents are also sitting ducks. Recently both of my children came home from school with library books, spelling homework, and…Fifth’s Disease. “Fifth disease, also called erythema infectiosum, or Slap Cheek, is a viral infection caused by human parvovirus B19. It occurs most commonly in children with up to 70% of all cases occurring in children 5 to 15 years old. It’s called fifth disease because it was historically the fifth childhood infectious rash to be named. There is no vaccine. However, once you’re infected with the virus, you’re immune for life against future infections. It’s transmitted from person to person the same way as any viral cold is spread. About 50% of people living with someone infected with[…]

Nov 22 2011

I’m sick of getting sick. It’s sickening. If I had an attack dog, I’d sick him on sickness. There have been so many germs and unwelcome viruses around here lately, it’s surprising we’re not living on a street lined with Sycamore trees. Sick-a-more. My Movember plan to be Sick-a-less hasn’t been going so well. Pink eye, strep throat, allergies, coughs, colds and now…the dreaded flu. I used to be able to fend off these germy buggars with both eyes tied behind my back. I know that’s not a real quote but I don’t care. It makes me laugh and we flu sufferers need all the humour we can find because one look in the mirror and it’s all tears and disgust. I look hideous. But now, I seem to fall prey to every bug that blows my way. My son caught something at school last week. Being the strapping young lad he is, he fought it off valiantly. Avery caught it next. She didn’t fare as well and was a sick little girl for several days. Then, I caught it. The chills, the shakes and fever, the sore throat and all over body ache–the flu is a[…]

Nov 04 2011

Every Movember dudes around the globe grow mustaches to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer. My hairy husband participates. Last Movember he grew a handlebar stache which I found particularly annoying. Even though I desperately wanted to shave it off in his sleep, my respect and admiration for this great cause kept the razor at bay…until December 1st. This year I am participating in my own kind of Movember in support of, me. Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not being selfish. There’s no ish. This is all about self— self preservation. Every Christmas the bleak weather, the hectic holidays, the stupid sucky stress; it all takes a toll and I become this pathetic, flimsy sack — I am the packaging that the mint condition Lisa originally came in now tossed aside, wrinkled and useless. Not this year. I plan to properly prepare and fuel my body and soul in preparation of the dreary winter ahead. This Movember I will support and cultivate my husband’s lip garden, while also seeking to claim mo for myself… mo-sleep mo-water mo-exercise mo-down time mo-meditation and purposeful relaxation mo-pampering mo-saying no mo-healthy eating (including those vitamins and[…]

Tag - health

A Spoonful of M&Ms Helps The Medicine Go Down

Germ Warfare

Slap Face

Sick of It

My Movember