I'm not going to post a lot of photos of everyone's comings and goings, because a lot of them were taken with Rosie's camera and she promises to do a post soon.
It was good to see (almost) everyone. By (almost) I don't mean that it wasn't good to see some of the people. I mean not everyone came. Had they come, it would have been good to see them!
I have stylish photos of Sukie on my computer, but like I said, I can't use them. So don't blame me. |
Gotta keep that bread rising…
While he was here we made the discovery that little Philip's fussy moments can be postponed simply by putting him on his back and talking to him. This is something I remember from when Suzanne was little. Often, being held made her crazy. She just wanted to stretch out and look around! And so does he.
He got almost chatty like this, a-gooing and a-gheeing like crazy. And he had the utmost perspicacity to do his very first turning over in front of both his grandmas! Yes! He just rolled right over from front to back! Before he's even 3 months! Isn't he advanced? He's a genius.
I needed a lot more practice to get both the person holding the baby and the baby in focus. But this is too pretty to pass up, I think…
Aunt Ellen brought us two pink roses. |
And then there was the leaving. The less said about that, the better.
Poor Bridgie got sick just before Rosie took off, and as I brought her a little homemade chicken broth and tea on a tray, Rosie commented to me, “The best part of being sick is getting a meal on a tray!”
So that made me think I should pass along something I've been meaning to tell you, which is that it doesn't matter if the person is 1 or 14. If they start to seem under the weather, get them on the sofa with a quilt and a book.
Especially with a toddler, it's important to have the automatic response to a budding illness, headache, or general malaise, of tucking them in near you this way. Settled with a book, they will soon make it apparent if they are really sick or not.
I've watched moms fail to respond to a ricocheting yet feverish youngster with this default procedure. And it just makes everything harder, because a getting sick child lacks the ability to stop himself from whining, hanging on you, falling down and hurting himself, and generally making the day a colossal pain. All that can be avoided if at the first complaint or sign of glassy or dull eyes, you whip out a sofa and quilt.
“I can tell you aren't feeling well. Just sit here for a minute with this book while I finish this thing and I'll be in soon with a drink.” If you can manage it, read him the story yourself so he gets the idea that sitting still feels good right now.
If truly ailing, he will gratefully remain plunked there, lacking the energy to rouse himself.
If he's not sick, that will soon be obvious, because hardly anything will keep a well child sitting on a sofa for long.
Do you remember the last time you had a fever? In retrospect you realized that the aching legs and weird head (you know, like all the noises were amplified and all the colors were swimming…) were signs it was coming on… no wonder the little tyke is whining!
Part of being a mom is anticipating the same thing in a child, and not waiting for him to collapse in a heap before you are on the case.
The great thing about being on the sofa, as opposed to in their rooms, is that it makes your job easier. No running up stairs, no being out of earshot. This way you don't get quite so exhausted, and if there's more than one victim, you can make a little mini-hospital out of your family room.
Meals on trays make everything better. When you're sick you just can't sit up at the table. You might as well invest in a couple of trays and accept that this is the only way to go.
If it's a tummy bug, you need a designated basin and a clear path to the bathroom!
And my Bland Diet — print it out and put it on the fridge. Try to get your gingerale with real ginger in it and no high fructose corn syrup. They have it at Whole Foods (a place I never go, but this is handy) and on Amazon (stock up!), and Habou was nice enough to get some for the wobbly Bridgie yesterday. Don't give plain water!
Keep some clear broth in the freezer and serve it with salt.
Do be aware that sometimes, in an ordinary bug, when the stomach is spasming and nothing will be tolerated, you need to leave it completely alone for a few hours. I know that the doctor says give something liquid every hour, but I've found that sometimes going a few hours without — with an eagle eye on anything approaching dangerous dehydration — can let the stomach relax enough to be ready to accept liquids, whereas if you force things, nothing will stay down. Use your common sense!
She's feeling better now!
Lisa G. says
This advice reminds me very much of Edith Schaeffer's hoomemaking and family wisdom. Next time I'm feeling unwell, can I come over?? 🙂
_Leila says
I loved Schaeffer's book, What is a Family? Although I never got to the point of putting flowers and a candle on the tray 🙂 My own mom taught me to tuck a child up like this right away. I don't know how I could have survived raging viruses with seven children without this way of doing things.
priest's wife says
I have 4 coughers over here- honey isn't doing the trick! 🙁
Mattie says
Thanks Auntie Leila for this very timely post! We have just had a stomach bug run havoc through the house for the last couple of days! I am printing the whole post right now! Thank you, thank you! And now I can figure out what to eat….
Thanks again!
ted says
Does Roxie prefer coffee to chicken broth? Or is she just being polite?
_Leila says
Ted, no one gives their sick child coffee.
Rachael says
Ah, a great post for learning what to do! Thank you.
margo says
ah. I have not always tucked up my children right away, but I will do that. And the tray is a charming idea too. I usually hold my children at the table when they are sick. My husband and I joke that we like when our small children are sick because we get to snuggle them more 😉
Good tip about real ginger in ginger ale. I drank too much ginger tea when I had morning sickness and now I can't stand the stuff although it's very good for upset tummies.
Your grandson is a cute little genius. I'm so sorry he's so far away from you.
Glenda Childers says
Such fun memories I have of making fun trays for my kids when they were sick.
Fondly,
Glenda
Polly says
Love this advice…& it reminds me to buy a tray!
My new baby is soothed in the same way, sometimes just wanting to stretch out and smile!
Marcia says
That sofa trick is so very smart! Thanks!
Heidi says
What is it about tucking them on the sofa near you? Somehow they feel so much more comforted there, than in their own bed. I like them there too, it is easier to do quick checks without hovering too much.
And sprite is good too! Just jiggle it to get out the bubbles. My mother showed me that.
EmmaMary says
I absolutely agree about tucking them up on the sofa and bringing food on trays. In our family I have found that if I catch things quickly and encourage rest and fluids we often avoid major illnesses.
Your grandson is just precious and of course a genius! So glad you had the chance for a lovely visit.
(I am very new to blogging and commenting so am hoping I have done this properly.)
_Leila says
Welcome, EmmaMary! Your comment is most proper 🙂
no spring chicken says
It's kind of like donning an apron when you really want to accomplish something herculean in the kitchen. Somehow the tray doesn't just help the patient but it helps the nurse to feel more nursish, which in turn does I suppose does help the patient after all. I love a good nurse when I'm feeling punk. Check out Down To Earth blog for Rhonda's ginger beer. I haven't made it myself yet but it looks like something worth trying!
MamaHen says
I put my sick kiddos on the couch too. But I have never thought about putting them there when you just start realizing they MAY be sick. This makes so much sense.
I am adding tray to my list to look for at the thrift store!
Oh, and I linked to your Reasonably Clean Home series today. Your writings are so encouraging to me!
nt12many says
I just want to add that I love the picture of the dog near his sick girl. Loyal dog! I want a dog!
Also, that baby is one of the most complete, mature little guy I have seen in a long time. Wow! He is so healthy and strong looking and he has that very very serene look of a well loved baby;). Not smug…just sure of himself!
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jillcampbellfarris.com ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.com
Birdy says
Oh, Leila, I couldn't agree with you more about getting them tucked up *before* the storm really hits! My mother only had two children, but I recall being parked on the couch many times, and it has been a life-saver in caring for my brood of eight. Also, you may not have heard, but I am told that Activated Charcoal works wonders for upset tummies. I've only had occasion to try it a couple of times so far (I'm very thankful that we don't seem to get much sickness here, another benefit of homeschooling), but it's done the trick for us.
A @ Classical Quest says
Hi Auntie Leila! I remembered this post and stopped by today to print out your “Bland Diet” worksheet. I have a mini-hospital set up in our living room today for my 9 yr. old daughter w/ a stomach flu. 🙁
Blessings & Thank you!