We are coming back in October with a new format. By now you've gotten use to the five of us bossing you around and giving you tons of unsolicited advice. How about a change? This time around we will be answering questions you ask us. Do you need some advice about how to handle your sister-in-law's not so subltle criticisms, or how about your son's grouchy school teacher, what about those concerns you have about your daughter's less than positive friends? Just ask and you will get advice from all five of the bossy sisters. We will be posting an email soon where you can send your questions if you want to ask them privately, otherwise, feel free to comment with your thoughts on this new format, and any questions you want us to address. Then keep watching Bossy! for the changes that are coming!
And did you know that there is controversy over when exactly Flag Day is observed: some say the second Sunday in June (that's tomorrow), others insist on June 14 (which is Monday this year). Why can't we all just get along?
Anyway, put your flags up! It's time to decorate for the 4th of July, and honor Betsy Ross who sewed the first flag.
Betsy Ross. Amazing! This is exactly what I look like when I am sewing flags by hand!
I always wondered what you would do if you had to take your child to the emergency room. Would you hop in the car, blood spurting, leg bending backwards and race as fast as you can? Maybe. We luckily haven't had those kind of emergencies. My pediatrician told me once about a woman who was convinced she could get her baby to the ER faster than waiting for an ambulance, it was the wrong choice-- Don't try this, paramedics know what they are doing and can do it while driving- you can't. If it is truly life and death, get the help you or your loved one needs.
However, over the past 11 years of parenting we've logged in more than our fair share of non-life threatening but Emergency Room worthy hospital time. After this past weeks visit I thought, "I'm getting good at this! I should blog about it!" So, here are my tips for "enjoying" your E.R./ hospital stay.
If you do have time, it is worth taking 5 minutes before rushing out the door to grab a few things. These are my essentials:
A blanket for the child, hospitals think a sheet is a blanket! Something cozy and familiar makes sleeping somewhere foreign much nicer. Also, binkies, teddy bear, American Girl Dolls. ;) Whatever is their "lovey".
Clean clothes for you both (really, you are likely to get bled on, puked on, spilled on, or end up staying longer than you expected and want to freshen up.) Don't forget dry underwear for your kiddo. Honestly, even the child that never has accidents, when there is an I.V., new meds can surprise you... it is worth it to have extras.
Cozy socks and a sweater. Hospitals are cold year round, especially at night!
Glasses/contact case, make up or at least lip gloss
Insurance info and cell phone (this probably should be closer to the top, but they have all this stuff already!)
entertainment. We "frequent" a children's hospital (one of the best!) but even still, it is nice to have some books, stickers, coloring stuff, nintendo ds....
Entertainment for you and maybe some snacks. Your child will not be able to eat till a doctor ok's it, but you might get hungry and might not want to leave your child alone to track down a candy bar... (I'm thinking I might be the only one who can't go anywhere without packing enough food in her purse to not be starving... I take food everywhere, so maybe skip this and go to number 8.)
Money for vending machines! :)
Alright, here are my tips for surviving once you are there.
Be really nice. It pays. People are nice to you when you are nice to them. It would seem logical, but when you are stressed sometimes it is easy to over react about little things.
Listen to the names of the people who are caring for your child. Repeat them and use them. This isn't' just nice, but helps when "Mary" comes in to start an i.v. and you can say "Anne" just said we were going for x-rays before putting in the iv. Or whatever. It helps.
Ask questions and write things down. You are your child's advocate! Make sure you understand what is happening.
Eat! Our hospital lets you buy meals to be delivered with your child's. They are reasonably priced, but I tend to "over order" for her not knowing what she would eat, then I finish it off. I think my husband orders a meal of his own... either way, it is important to not be starving! (again, I'm probably just going back to that irrational fear of going hungry... do what works for you!)
Once your child is settled, get your own needs met. This past week we were spending the night in the emergency observation department. There was a stretcher for my girl and a chair for me. Not even a soft chair. I cheerfully asked if there was anything more comfortable I could sit on and they brought in a lovely chair/bed thingy. So much nicer for the next 18 hours!
Last of all, It is all about Perspective. We've driven to the emergency room, we've taken ambulances, we've even arrived in a helicopter, but each time, it only takes a minute to realize how blessed we are to be able to get such outstanding care. This week, I watched at least 4 stretchers being wheeled in, kids with neck braces, hustling paramedics and sobbing parents trailing after them. There is just something about a Children's Hospital... if you think your life stinks, go, walk around for an hour and count your many blessings.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”--Dr. Seuss
Today is the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss). Sadly, he is dead, like lots of interesting people. He was an author AND an artist, and did many great works outside of his children's books.
This work is called "plethora of fish". I think the one fish is showing all the others: this is a hook! Do not bite it!
Thank you Dr. Seuss for providing such whimsical entertainment for me as a child, and for my children today!
“My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You'll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond 'Z' and start poking around!” --Dr Seuss
It's the end of the day, my kids are pajama'd, and we're snuggling up on the couch for some reading time together. Often the day was long and chaotic (my husband and I are both in graduate school full-time and teaching), and its the first chance we've had to really connect with our kids. Days like that are tough on everyone. Our bedtime reading has become a sacred family ritual, and we all look forward to it.
When I think about being far away from our parents, and our children's grandparents, I feel sad that they don't get to enjoy our children in this same way--all snuggled up with a good book.
Enter:
I have been wanting to share this with all my mother friends! I finally got "permission" to do it from my brother in law, who is involved with the development of this cool product. It is called Readeo--as in the combination of the words read+video=Readeo.
Let me explain: have you ever used Skype? Or any other online video-chat program? Do you have children or grandchildren you do this with?
We have 2 children, and they miss their grandparents and so we have tried Skype as a way to have more meaningful contact with grandparents. It is nice, but Readeo is much more satisfying. It is like Skype, only with really great children's books, smooth video streaming, and bright, clear pictures.
I think my 2 year old, Joey, loves it most. This afternoon when I was talking to grandma on the phone, Joey was pulling on my leg, "Mommy? Mommy? Iwah book wih gamma! Now! Mommy?"
40 minutes later: the dishwasher is loaded, dinner is on the table, and Ruby (4) and Joey (2) have read 6 books with Grandma & Grandpa, as well as having showed them their tiger puppets they made at a Chinese New Year party, among other glorious tricks via Readeo's BookChat.
To get the full effect, check out this video on their home page: http://www.readeo.com/
• Face-to-face story time from anywhere in the world • Award-winning and popular titles hand-picked for the site by Readeo’s editor (she's an expert in children's literature, IMO) • Personalized “bookshelves” (I love this feature, and I gave some feedback to my brother in law, and now the bookshelves are awesome!) • A library that is searchable by age, gender and subject matter • A Book of the Month that is free to read for all users (even if you're not a paying subscriber!)
I hope you'll try it out, it is such a cool thing to do with your kids and grandparents, or a spouse who travels, or aunts & uncles, etc.
Here is the gift: a free month trial! You will need to sign up for a subscription to do so, but if you decide its not for you, you can cancel at any time, and you won't be billed until after the free month is over.
Coupon code: "readeolaunch"
I think you will LOVE it!
This might be a great gift for a grandparent who already has everything imaginable. Also, both users on each computer do NOT need to be a paying subscriber to use Readeo--only one user needs a subscription. The other user is a guest, and can BookChat anytime with the paying subscriber--so this is a great gift for the grandparent who has grandchildren in multiple locations.
I really really do! Our family always eats traditional food of the host country while we watch the opening ceremonies. My kids spin our globe around, finding each country as the athletes parade in. I love it. I learn new things! (Who knew 90% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the Canada/US border?) I get weepy watching athletes win and loose. No matter whose anthem is played I get chills. I love the personal stories and the amazing dedication! For 2 weeks my kids get a rare chance to watch recorded shows after dinner. We cheer, we watch in wonder, we gasp! (Yesterday my kids spent 3 hours outside in new snow doing their own version of the luge, speed skating, and downhill skiing on our driveway.) Today Eve said "I am getting good at the side by side triple toe, except, when Jane isn't next to me, then it is a plain triple toe." We love the Olympics!
Then I heard this About the games. I'll be honest, it just baffles me. I mean, I know I'm prudish, but come on! Really? What made the IOC think, "Gee, you know, we ought to give the athletes a hat with our logo, and badges and pins and free water bottles and condoms!" I mean, really? Is this necessary? (ok, even if it is necessary, note the volume- that is 14 per athlete or official...) Am I alone thinking this is a touch absurd?
My daughter is now in preschool. I'm not sure yet what the Valentine's Day protocol for preschool is, but I am kind of excited. I'm not the over acheiving parent who is going to make all adorable martha stewart one-of-a-kind valentines for my children's classmates on Valentine's Day. But I might make these Jello Jigglers.
The Family Fun website (Disney company) is great, and I get their newsletter in my email once a week. It is the same stuff that is in the magazine! How cool is that--online for free! (though, sometimes it is just better to have it in print :) )
I think I must also make something chocolate. Yes, definitely. Chocolate.
(I did this one year, but with a heart on top. Cut out a heart from paper, discard the heart. Put the paper heart-shaped-hole on the cheesecake, and sprinkle powdered sugar to make it super fancy. What a treat!)
Recipe, is, of course, HERE, because I am so nice like that. ;-)
Do you have any Valentine's Day plans, or suggestions? Please share--and feel free to include a web link!
Sweet Sixteen is sweet at our house for one reason:
Cell Phone Age
Sure its also the age you can date, drive at night, and its NCAA March Madness (coming soon!) but the real reason 16 is sweet is the cell phone. We have purchased three 16 year old cell phones.
Here comes baby Ike. He is the most darling 13 year old boy. He is also obsessed with getting a cell phone. He is the only 7th grader in Colorado who doesn't have a cell phone. He claims he needs one in case of an emergency. But he is surrounded by 7th grader (and 6th grader) cell phones, so he can borrow theirs.
Here is something to chew on:
NPR reported a recent study that show that children under the age of 15 spend an average of 5 hours a day on their cell phones.
A Korean study found that teens who used their cell phone 90 times a day (apparently not unusual) scored significantly higher on tests measuring depression and anxiety than students who used their phones a more sedate 70 times daily.
30% of teenage cell phone users have received "sexts" sexually explicit texts.
37% of teens felt they would die, a long and painful death, if they didn't have a cell phone.
39% of teenagers said they lie about where they are and what they are doing when they use the cell phone.
But these aren't the reasons we wait until 16. It is more a right of passage than an issue of trust or worthiness. Honestly, I'm not ready for him to grow up and a cell phone screams "GROWN UP!" He is the one person in our house who maintains eye contact with me during conversation because he isn't texting. I worry about the girls calling and texting. Currently they are forced to stop by the house to talk to him (using the parent's phone is unheard of) and I like to meet them and watch the awkward flirting.
We will probably cave and get him a phone before he is 16. That will open a whole new can of worms with the older kids and will kick off years of accusatory exclamations: "We never got to do/have/travel/act/buy/say/watch/listen to that!"
