My complaints about common complaints Day 3

I work pediatric urgent care on evenings and weekends mostly so that I can be home with my kids during the day. I want to go home at the end of my shift cause my kids don't really care how late I was up the night before. There are a lot of times when I am there quite a bit later then we close for legitimate reasons. I don't mind staying with a child who has bad croup or lacerations or dehydration. What I do mind is a parent who brings in their kid right at closing because their child has had abdominal pain for a week, or anything that has been going on for a while and is not acutely worse tonight. Then frequently after I've stayed to see a patient after closing and I given them a prescription for their ear infection or strep or whatever, the parent says "great I'll fill this tomorrow" There are 24 hour pharmacies, 2 within 10 minutes of where I work. If your childs problem is serious enough to keep me late, then at least have the decency to fill the script and start the medication tonight.

My baby is messing with my head.

While I was pregnant with my fourth child, I told anyone who asked that I WAS fanatically done with having children.  She was to be my last.   Here's the problem; she is so darn cute!  I find my self thinking all the time "Maybe I should have another one".  She is barely six months old.  I hate being pregnant.  Hate,hate,hate.   So what is wrong with me?  Why can"t I think like a rational human being?  Granted she has her moments, but seriously my baby has made my brain turn into a pile of baby-loving mush.

My complaints about common complaints Day 2

I frequently see kids who have fairly high fever and when asked if they've had any medication for their fever am told " Well I wanted you to see their fever." I don't want your kid to suffer. Please give them some Tylenol or ibuprofen if they are miserable with fever. I would like to know what it was, so having a thermometer that actually works is extremely helpful. I don't believe anyone that says, "They felt like they were 102." (Sorry mom), she does this too, but if you can tell me their maximum temperature, I'll believe you. The whole process will go much better for everyone if the sick child has had some medication.

One more complaint tomorrow.

My complaints about common complaints

"He's just been so lethargic" the kid is of coarse already pulled apart the exam room and tried to change my password on the computer. Generally I say to parents "Tell me what's been going on with Suzy." , then as they talk I type. When they say they've been lethargic I type decreased activity. True lethargy is a serious problem. When your child barely opens their eyes when you say their name and lies in your arms and doesn't cry because the doctor is examining them, that is truely lethargic. Listless is a better word, sleepy, somulent, but please try to limit the use of the word lethargic. I understand that when your child is sick they are not as active. I have yet to meet a child who is sick who is as acitve as normal. Most adults when they are sick are as active.

Tomorrow another complaint about common complaints.

Boys and Girls

When I was a junior in undergraduate I wrote a paper for my psychology class called "Boys and Girls, Stereotypes and School".  It's basic premise was that most of the difference between boys and girls had more to do with nurture rather then nature.  Boy was I wrong.  

My son who is 6 (and a half he would say), has managed to lose 2 light sabers in the last two years.  He keeps begging me for another one, I have told him that he has lost the other two and I'm not buying him a new one.  So he started using the piece of pvc pipe with some duct tape that was functioning as part of a t-ball stand for a light saber.  He convinced his younger sister to fight with him, her weapon being an old curtain rod.  This has never ended well.  She starts crying within 2 minutes every time.  It wasn't long before that they were taken away as well.  

He has seen Star Wars the same number of times as my oldest (10 year old) daughter and she has yet to make weapons out of legos, pvc pipe or curtain rods.  

The real purpose of bouncy seats

I have uncovered the real purpose of bouncy seats, and it has nothing to do with gross motor skills or hand eye coordination.  I bought a "kick and play"  while we were living in Nebraska at a yard sale, I even had to sew on two of the toys back on.  Three of my children have been entertained by it.

But it's real purpose is  it is small enough to be put in the bathroom where you can see it so you can actually have a shower.    If the baby is in the bouncy seat and buckled in, it is less likely that the 4 year old will try to pick them up or put blankets or pillows over their head. Notice that I said less likely.   However I still utter phrases I never thought I would, especially while naked.  "Immy, don't put your fingers in her nose".    Who knew going into this motherhood thing, that showering would be such a public event.