Botox and Parenting

We all have days when we doubt our ability to parent our children lovingly and effectively. I have many of those days. But, when I read an article about a mother giving her 8 year old Botox injections, I feel better about my parenting skills and decisions. It makes me worry less about the junk food my kids consumed over the weekend. My question is - how do you wake up, decide that injecting botulism into a healthy little girl is a smart parenting move? How do you then convince someone to sell you the said poison? How do you convince this unsuspecting child to sit still for it? I've tried giving my kids regular oral medicine, clean their ears, and clip their nails. These were down in the mud wresting matches. I think if I came at my child's face with a needle full of poison that she would run and hide until she was 18.

After a busy weekend of family in town to celebrate Sara's First Communion, 2 late nights, multiple parties and servings of cake and pie, my kids were exhausted. They displayed their sleep-deprived state by being extra-whiny and fussy. This made my 2 year old a brief guest at our party yesterday. I decided that the best remedy for their cranky and tired moods was an afternoon of couch time with some cartoons. Then I spent the rest of the day worrying that their brains were going to fall out and stain my carpet. Despite multiple reassurances from multiple sources, I'm still convinced I've done irreparable harm to their IQs and overall childhood development. After reading about the Mother of the Year with a syringe, I'm feeling slightly better about my parenting. My heart goes out to this little girl. I think she is going to have a tough time in life trying to make her mother happy.

For Better or Worse - Vows to our children

When you get married, you make vows to each other. You promise to love, honor and cherish each other in good times, bad times, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. When you have children, you make similar vows to them. They are completely dependent on us for all their needs. We vow to take care of them, love them, and cherish them no matter what. We need to be there for them when they are sick, happy, sad, scared, tired, or fussy. They need to know their parents will always be there for them and love them no matter what. Being a parent is hard, challenging, constant and rewarding. It is a lifelong commitment. It can bring more joy and sorrow than anyone can imagine. We need to teach them how to succeed in life. We need to show them how to be a loving person. We can teach them honesty or deceit, trust or skepticism. We must teach them strength and ethics. We need to be an example to them in every way. Children are "magical thinkers". They believe in fairy tales, Santa Claus, and monsters under the bed. This can be a blessing. We need to nurture that magical thinking and encourage them to keep the hope and joy in their lives as they grow up and forge their own path in life. Letting go as they grow is not an easy task. But, being a parent is the most exciting, terrifying, joyous and fulfilling experience in the world. It just may not feel that way every minute of every day.

The shallow end of the gene pool

I must be a delicate flower. I seem to catch every plague, sniffle, cough and flu that comes near me. I am not stoic about it either. When I'm sick, I want to crawl into my bed and hide there until it's over. Right now, I do not have that luxury. Paul has been out town and working late so I'm on double parent duty. Yesterday was school for both kids, Sara's baseball game, registering her for Bible camp, 2 baths, 2 dinners and 2 bedtimes. I had to accomplish all this while clutching a tissue box like a security blanket. Getting 2 kids to leave a baseball field while carrying 2 water bottles, a beach chair, a bat, glove and helmet was a challenge like none I had ever faced. Storming the beaches of Normandy was easier and less complicated. Both kids found it necessary to pick up and examine every rock that crossed their paths. Somehow we managed to load the car and head home. The kids immediately capitalized on my compromised and fragile condition and declared a "movie night". Guess what? If you park a 7 and 2 year old in front of the TV, you can actually lie down and relax. Sold!!!!

The timing of my latest affliction couldn't be worse. This weekend is Sara's First Communion. We will have 9 family members visiting for the weekend. We will host a party for 25 people. I may have to wear a hazmat suit to avoid starting a pandemic. I may have my sister-in-law mow my lawn because right now it has more dandelions than grass. And she claims she enjoys the exercise. Just so Paul's sister doesn't feels left out, I may have her cooking for the party. My goal is to give everyone a chore or job this weekend so I can kick back, recover and enjoy the party. I have laundry that needs folding and a dishwasher begging to be emptied. I may save those glamorous tasks for my dad and aunt. Just so they don't feel left out.