Tag: parenting

children, family, health, kids, motherhood, parenting

Tonsil-App-Tomy

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At the beginning of summer it was determined that T.Puzzle’s oversized tonsils needed to be removed.  I certainly dreaded the impending surgery and almost completely lost my mind the night before it.  This was nicely countered by Mad Dog’s calm optimism.  Calm and optimistic were two emotions I found very difficult to conjure when my baby was about to go under the knife.  What made the whole situation worse was T.Puzzle’s joy leading up to his procedure.  He glowed in the attention we lavished on him.  He was giddy because he was getting special gifts, his favorite foods and he got to sleep in a tent in our bedroom.  He was so joyful on the day of surgery he leapt from his tent and exclaimed, “Yay! I can’t wait to see the doctor.  This is going to be so cool!”   Clearly he associates doctor visits with special time with one or both parents usually followed by lunch involving happy and a meal.  The more exuberant he became, the more nauseous I felt.  It was like looking at an innocent puppy knowing you are hours away from placing him in a den of ravenous lions.

T.Puzzle’s joy continued as we allowed unlimited iPad game time as we waited in the ambulatory holding area.  He didn’t even flinch that it was well past noon and he was not allowed food or drink.  He became immersed in his games and was only annoyed when the blood pressure cuff interfered with his gaming strategies.  He was a trooper as they took him away for the procedure and gave us a carefree wave goodbye.  All I kept thinking was ‘farewell, my sweet little puppy!’

When it was over, we heard him well before we could see him.  To say he was angry is an understatement.  When he was wheeled back to us, he was a screaming ball of fury.  Limbs were flying, tears were flowing and he yelled repeatedly “I WANT TO GO HOME!”  He was an innocent no longer.  With each quiet murmur of comfort I offered  him, he answered with a louder, angrier cry.  This is the point when my head really began to hurt.

Mad Dog swooped in and said to T.Puzzle, “If you stop crying, you can play games on the iPad again.”

Instant serenity.

He calmed, he sighed and he gamed on.

Yes, I have to come to terms with the fact that I have been rendered obsolete by technology.

As long as I got my patient home in peace, I’ll take it.  And, somehow, I don’t imagine an iPad will be able to administer round the clock pain meds with a loving touch for the next few days.  Then again, there might be an app for that.

T.Puzzle happily waiting for surgery
T.Puzzle post-op. Hard to tell the difference, isn’t it?
children, family, gratitude, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

What I Didn’t Even Know I Wanted

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This summer is going by in a flash.  It’s all swim lessons, soccer, traveling to see family and using every last ounce of energy to keep up with my boys.

While watching a recent soccer game, a Mom who also has two boys on our team commented on how parenting boys is so much fun.  She is completely right.  Initially, I thought I would be better suited to parent girls.  Who knew I would love to watch my boys tear up a soccer field?  I certainly didn’t.

Could you imagine if I had been given the ability to create the personality of my kids?  They’d have been quiet, easy-going and calm.  Their nicknames could have been Zero Speed and No Puzzle (most boring blog ever!).

I’m so glad it was out of my hands.  Thankfully, even though they challenge me in many ways, they are exactly who I was meant to have.

children, family, happiness, humor, kids, motherhood, potty training, self-discovery

Summer Hiatus

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I love these guys!

It is time for a break.  Most of my energy, ok, ALL of my energy is going towards keeping up with my boys.  I will return to my twice-weekly posts in a couple of weeks.  I’m going to use this blog-break to regroup and focus more on fun.  I am learning some great lessons this summer.  When it comes to teaching my kids anything, outsourcing is key.  My boys have become fish in a matter of days.  All it took was Mom staying way, far out of the pool (almost in another county), and a fantastic swim instructor.  I wish all my parenting dilemmas could be so easily outsourced.  I’ve also realized spending time with your kids can alter your perspective on life.  Full Speed’s heartfelt declaration that an IHOP breakfast is the best breakfast he’s ever had makes me appreciate my Harvest Nut pancakes on a whole different level.

I may make it through to the start of school after all.

children, family, humor, motherhood, parenting

(Toe)tal Commitment

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I have come to accept that I live in a different universe than that of my boys.  Even though our galaxies cross paths sometimes, mostly I am a lone planet wondering how I gave birth to two such incredibly competitive creatures.  We’ve always known that Full Speed was born a competitor.  T.Puzzle’s competitive streak has been a slow fire burning that lately has erupted into volcanic displays of passion and heart especially on the soccer field (his tantrums after a loss are a sight to behold). 

As with anything done to an excess, there can be a downside.  After fifteen pounding hours of soccer camp last week, regularly playing soccer in the cul-de-sac and three games of 3v3 soccer on Monday night, little T.Puzzle has developed an infected, ingrown toenail.  Now, I’ve never had one so I can’t say for sure how painful it is.  According to Mad Dog, ingrown toenails can cause shooting pains that will make you see stars.  And yet, T.Puzzle played on.  Even after our trip to the podiatrist and screams of fear and pain from him as the aggravating piece of toenail was cut away, he asked me if he could play soccer when we got home.

I do not understand.  Wouldn’t a normal kid at least want a day or two to rest his foot?  Or maybe play a sport that doesn’t involve kicking? 

At least he enjoys his daily foot soaking.  Maybe I’ll have someone to go to the spa with me after all.  That’s something I completely understand.

family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

The Real Secret (of Parenting)

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I have finally stumbled upon a sure-fire way to get my boys to be pleasantly complacent.  The secret is to have them run soccer drills for three solid hours at camp every morning.  The key is that the temperature must stay in the mid-90 range and 100% humidity is a great bonus. 

My boys were so wiped after their soccer camp that they were absolute angels when I dragged them along to my allergy shot.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  They sat still (and quietly!) in the waiting area.  They were so subdued that I even let them remain seated while I went back for my shot.  As I checked my account balance behind the waiting room doors, the calm was so pervasive, I worried that the boys might have slipped into an unconscious state.  When I walked out to get them they were still sitting nicely.  Just sitting there.  Imagine!

Next week, swim lessons.  I hope their instructors train them like Olympians!