It's been one of those weekends. The kind with coughs, fevers, and body aches; headaches, tummy aches, and worry. The up-all-night parenting gig that any of us with kids have embarked on many times.
This weekend both of our kids went down with Spring Crud like dominoes.
I fell asleep last night with my left hand monitoring a feverish,
coughing three-year old and my right hand on a hot, sweaty, restless
seven-year old.
I think as parents we are all prone to worry (some more than others). But Pete and I are especially gifted worriers. Ever since Sage was very, very sick (just after he turned two) we've inadvertently turned ourselves into professional worriers. Especially when Sage is feverish. I think its a cellular memory of the fear, uncertainty, and worry of that time.
We're working on getting over it, but as parents I'm not sure how any of us truly shake off the really big scares. For parents who have experienced that moment of looking over the edge into a deep, dark abyss with your child, you know what I mean. We never forget, but we work on holding the belief that none of us will ever fall in. We are held in safety and light and needn't look over that precipice again.
That's what we keep telling ourselves and ultimately what we tell ourselves becomes true.
Truth be told, Pete and I held it together better this time than we ever have since Sage was two. We knew everything would work out well. And of course it has. We're
just sick. Plain old ordinary sick.
So for a few days we'll let everything slide. Dishes in the sink, dinner from the coop, all day in our PJ's – all of us. I went to make a cup of tea this morning and there was not a single clean tea cup in the house. I checked the kids cup drawer – empty.
This place is a disaster. I think we need a week off to clean up.
But we're slowly getting back on our feet.
We pulled out our favorite homeopathy book for children to keep fevers and coughs under control and last night Sage and I made some herbal preparations including tea, cough syrup, and a tincture. That moment was really the silver lining. Sage and I sat at the table last night learning about and working with herbs. He created his own custom tea blend (echinacea, licorice root, chamomile, catnip, and of course, sage), and asked me to teach him everything I could about herbs.
I ordered some homeschooling resources after he fell asleep including the game Wildcraft and a two books on herbalism for children. And then I realized that he and I (along with Pete and Lu) and turning our back on that dark abyss and moving toward the light.
Blessings always hide in the messy times. We just need to focus on the gifts and leave the worry and anxiety – as well as the dishes – to take care of themselves.
Healthy healing to you guys…We KNOW what the worry is like…Reeve & Kyle both love the catnip tea…raspberry leaf tea too. If they’ve been throwing up a lot…R is always prone to throwing up when he gets sick…then you can wait 6 hours b/4 giving anything to drink, but if you want to test the waters out b/4 then you can give 1tsp of tea every 5 minutes. Fevers…skin-to-skin contact can help for helping their little hot bodies to regulate their temps. We’ll be sending healing thoughts your way!
We refer to this book a lot!
http://www.amazon.com/Raise-Healthy-Child-Spite-Doctor/dp/0345342763/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268657411&sr=1-1
and this one too!
http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Healing-Guide-Self-Healing-Everyone/dp/188433492X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268657547&sr=1-1
Okay one more! I couldn’t find it on amazon, but you might be able to find it at your local library. It’s co-authored by Dana Ullman who wrote the book you recommend above. “Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines” by Stephen Cummings, M.D. and Dana Ullman, M.P.H.
http://lpl.lacrosse.lib.wi.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1268H57B97179.4986&profile=w&uri=link=3100025~!199799~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=basic_search&menu=search&ri=1&source=~!horizon&term=Cummings%2C+Stephen%2C+F.N.P.&index=PAUTHOR
It’s an excellent book that we refer to regularly!
Hope they feel better quick. I’m a worrier too. G(5) has bad asthma and every time he is exposed to a cold/flu he ends up in full blown asthma attack, respiratory distress, in ER barely breathing. And every asthma attack means scarring. I’m so careful all winter, we wash hands and supplement like you wouldn’t believe. We stay away from crowds of kids. Blah blah blah. I still worry. I will always worry. It is just … being a parent …
We love the wildcraft game. We garden with as many herbs as we have room for, and the boys learn about which are good for what, history, lore. So interesting!
My 7 yo woke with a sore throat – second virus of the whole winter. This time of year always does it. Healthy vibes going your way.
So sweet Laura. I know that you get it. Thanks for the suggestions. We have Everybodys Guide for Homeopathy. The two books make a great pair to cross-reference. Thanks for the love!
Thanks Denise. Its much like that… We try to stay well but sometimes we dont and then the old worries kick in. Thanks so much for the thoughts. Lets do an herbal homeschool field trip together some day!
Oh, I’m sorry to hear you had a weekend like that … and yes, I can well relate to the fear. My kids are healthy and fine, but it is hard not to go to “worst case scenario” mode. I’m glad that everyone is on the upswing.
Sending healthy thoughts …
I hope you are all feeling better soon! Your napkin above made me miss your purple and orange spaces : ) Call me when you’re up for it and we’ll take a stroll in this glorious sunshine! Love you.
Thanks, Kara and Denise. The day seems to be looking up in the last hour or so… Well take what we can get!
Thanks D. A walk would be WONDERFUL. I feel like weve missed all of this glorious weather…
Much much love from two doors down. Your kiddos are lucky to have such an amazing mama and papa! I think we’re out of clean dishes too-what’s on the hot bar tonight at the co-op?
We hit the hot bar two nights in a row. Tonight – actual homemade food (ala Pete). Were sending love your way too. In a big way.