Who stays home when the kids are sick?
When both parents work outside the home, how you decide who stays home when children are sick?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dad Vents
The sick season has already started at our house. I spent about three hours yesterday morning at the pediatrician’s office with the baby, and I’m watching my 5-year-old closely to see if I need to take him in as well.
(The baby has bronchitis — and is very unhappy! I’m not sure if Walsh’s coughing is cold-induced or just caused by allergies, but more to come on asthma and allergy issues in Atlanta.)
Since I work in the home, there’s never a question as to who will stay home with a sick child or who will take them to the doctor when necessary. But for many, many families this is a constant sticking point during the fall and winter.
Is there one parent that normally stays home with a sick child or do you split the duty? Does it depend on what is going on that particular day at work or is one spouse’s boss more accepting of the need to take care of a sick child? Are women bosses or men bosses more receptive to your parenting responsibilities?
At what point in the night or morning do you decide who will be the caregiver?
How do you handle staying home with a sick child when you are a single parent? Do you have enough sick days to cover multiple children’s illnesses throughout a cold and flu season?
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What to do when you disagree with a teacher’s discipline?
A local mother needs our advice about how to deal with a teacher who has punished her child inappropriately.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I got an email over the weekend from a mother who was very upset about the treatment her child had received from his teacher. This is what she wrote to me:
“Today something happened in my child’s class, and I’m at a loss. The teacher decided that my child talks too much. He’s 6, and, yes, he is quite chatty, as is the whole kindergarten class. Well as a way of disciplining him, she took his desk away and gave him a step stool as a desk where he sits on the floor in front of the class. Now I’m not sure how long this had been going on because she never has called me about him. Although, I have repeatedly told her if there is ever a problem call me. To make matters worst, I’m standing in the class and other children were acting up, and she goes ‘Do you want to be like that boy and have to sit on the floor in front of the class?’ My son was working at the time, and I really felt that was a cheap shot and not very encouraging for him. When I asked her to take him off the floor she asked me ‘What did I want her to do with him?’ ”
“Now I’m not one of those parents who says their child is perfect, but she is the ONLY person he has come in contact with that makes him out to be so disruptive. His previous teachers can’t believe this, they agree he is chatty as do I, but not to this extent. There are other children in the class who physically hurt others, but they don’t get singled out.”
“So Theresa, I’m at a loss. I feel like I should move him out of her class. I emailed the principal to have a meeting and I’m waiting to hear back.”
“I’m wondering how do parents deal with teachers when they think their child is being mistreated or singled out?”
This mother needs some advice. Have you guys ever experienced your child being singled out in this manner or had a punishment that was degrading and inappropriate to the problem? What should she say or demand from the teacher and principal? Should the child be moved from the class? Would that be too hard on the child to have to switch classes mid-year? Or would he be better off with a whole new environment?
Permalink | Comments (108) | Post your comment | Categories: Ethics of rearing kids today
Momcation was fantastic … except for that food poisoning
Have you taken a momcation? Do you like to go with girlfriends or your husband? Did you miss the kids or were you just happy to be away?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I had been dreaming of my first momcation for months, and it was everything that I had hoped for … well, except for that slight case of food poisoning that lasted most of the trip.
The food poisoning prevented me from having cocktails and from dancing the night away at the hotel’s nightclub (That was OK though, the club was pretty cheesy!), but it didn’t stop me from achieving my core goals of sleeping and lying in the sun.
My college girlfriend and fellow mom Keith and I had planned to spend a quiet weekend in Hilton Head. We planned to leave on a Friday afternoon and return on a Monday evening.
Our plans were low-key. We just wanted to doze off on the beach without worrying that our children were drowning nearby. We wanted to eat dinner after 5 p.m. — a frequent serving time at both our homes. And we wanted to eat some seafood, imbibe a few cocktails and forget for a little while all the responsibilities we had at home.
We had a slight issue actually getting out of Atlanta. Keith’s husband had a case in court and wasn’t sure when he’d be done. So my husband agreed to watch all six kids — ages ranging from 18 months to 10 years — so we could get on our way.
We left the six kids playing on the swing set out back — kissed them all goodbye and pretty much ran for the car. (I was in such a hurry to get out there I forgot to even kiss my poor husband!)
We woke up Saturday morning at our leisure and without little people jumping on our beds. What a joy it was not to have to drag a giant bag, cooler or sand toys to the beach. We grabbed our Coke Zeros, our towels and a little reading material, and we were set for the day.
Keith showed up to the beach with a book about the history of architecture. I came armed with three gossip rags and about eight catalogs. She named my collection “Mom Porn,” and we passed it back and forth lying by the ocean, discussing the celebrities before I dozed off in the warm sun.
That night, we got what we thought was some amazing seafood. Although on later reflection it would appear my mahi-mahi had a little something extra added — like an illness-inducing bacteria. I was sick for the next two days, but any mother knows she’d rather suffer at the beach than at home caring for three children.
Besides not planning on food poisoning, I also hadn’t anticipated missing my kids as much. I knew I would miss my 18-month old and worry about her care. We had never been apart for more than a few hours and she had only stopped nursing about two months before. I knew it would tough for us to be separated.
I wasn’t worried at all about my 5- and 7-year old. My husband is a very good daddy and is completely capable of feeding, entertaining and caring for their needs.
I called from the restaurant (the one that got me sick) on Saturday night to say good-night to the children. As soon as Rose got on the phone and started telling me about their trip to the Coke museum that day and riding the Marta, I started crying. I missed their little voices much more than I had expected.
I worried before we took the trip that two days wasn’t going to be long enough, but we were definitely ready to come home. The baby fared fine without me — although we had a little re-training to do after I returned. Apparently, Daddy let the baby sleep with him every night, and he showed her where the cookie container is hidden.
When I walked in the door, my son gave me a giant hug and the baby didn’t want to leave my lap. I sat and rocked her for at least an hour. She snuggled against my chest and sucked her thumb completely content. Rose made me multiple welcome home signs and letters telling me how much she missed and loved me.
I have to say the best part of the momcation wasn’t the extra sleep or the walks on the beach, but the homecoming.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Family Life
Are you worried about food tainted with melamine in U.S.?
As the affected product list grows, some people are concerned about local markets carrying food produced in China. Are you worried? Are you changing your buying habits accordingly?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I have been reading stories about the 54,000 Chinese babies sickened by the baby milk contaminated with melamine, I have been pained for the families. But I have also been somewhat relieved it wasn’t something I would have to worry about personally. As the list grew to include chocolates, I once again took it off my radar as it appeared to only include chocolates sold abroad.
But yesterday I got a note from a friend telling me that his pregnant wife had picked up some popular Chinese candy at a local Asian market off Buford Highway. She had eaten several pieces of the White Rabbit candy when she realized it was a brand that was on the list of foods contaminated with melamine — a chemical used in making plastics. She has no indication that the particular lot was contaminated, but she stopped eating it and says she’s definitely thinking twice about products that she buys at Asian markets (and any products imported from China at her regular market).
After further investigation, it seems like that may be a wise move. Canada recalled the White Rabbit candy in late September and is now recalling Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate.
The Allentown Morning Call reports that the FDA has identified a melamine-contaminated drink sold in Asian stores throughout the U.S. According to the story:
“Melamine was in Blue Cat Flavor Drink distributed by Tristar Food Wholesale Co. of Jersey City, N.J., according to an agency statement Monday.”
”The company began a recall of several flavors and the FDA isn’t aware of any illnesses.”
So now I’m starting to worry. Are you concerned about foods containing melamine being found in the U.S.? Are you particularly concerned if you shop at Asian markets or even eat at Chinese restaurants that may be using imported food products? Are you concerned enough to change your buying habits?
I have prepared a little Cliffs Notes research for you guys on the melamine situation with links to multiple stories and sites:
Let’s start with a nice overview of the whole melamine story from U.S. News and World Report.
This is a list of affected products known so far. I am looking for an updated list from a news source we know.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s official site and its links.
What is melamine, and how does it affect our bodies?
How much melamine is safe to eat?
And finally from The Wall Street Journal a look at if China is being up front about the number of children really affected by the melamine.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Health
Belly wraps or cardio to ban baby fat?
Can belly wraps take the place of cardio exercise to get rid of belly fat after giving birth? Is it really not fat and just your uterus out of place?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was working out at the gym a few months ago and was talking with this woman about the problem areas on my body. I told her my fat was all in my belly. And she told me that it wasn’t fat. It was just my uterus out of place. She said her mother was from a Caribbean island and that they would always wrap the mothers’ bellies to pull the uterus back into place and to tighten the belly and skin.
I’m listening to her and I’m thinking: Well, that would be great if all I had to do was wrap something around my stomach. But, I’m pretty sure I need to keep doing cardio to get rid of it. At least that’s what the trainers keep telling me.
So, yesterday I was watching E! and saw an interview with Brooke Burke, formally of E!, who is on now on “Dancing with the Stars.” She’s had FOUR children (one just seven months ago) and swears by wrapping her belly. In fact, she is now selling her own line of belly wraps for after birth. Here is an article about her product and some comments about belly wrapping in general.
So what do you think: Have you heard of this belly wrapping? Have you ever tried it? Do you think it would work? Will just doing tons of cardio not solve the problem completely because the uterus is out of place? Would a belly wrap still help if it’s almost two years later?
Permalink | Comments (49) | Post your comment | Categories: Health
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Those of you who are not outraged by a teacher who uses humiliation as a punishment for a 6 year old are crazy. If he were 16, then this would be a more appropriate punishment. Yes, parents can over react and baby their kids well into adulthood, but a... read the full comment by jacksmum | Comment on What to do when you disagree with a teacher's discipline? Read What to do when you disagree with a teacher's discipline?
Oh boohoo the mean person is making fun of me….boohoo. You whine like a mule. Suck it up and grow some guts….please bunch of babies.... read the full comment by I am a Troll Get Off My Bridge!!!! | Comment on Who stays home when the kids are sick? Read Who stays home when the kids are sick?
Hey, I’ll be the moderator! But seriously, is there no way to just keep the ones to don’t have anything to contribute off of here. I don’t care about someone posting that has a different (even obnoxious) viewpoint, but the ones... read the full comment by CP | Comment on Who stays home when the kids are sick? Read Who stays home when the kids are sick?
Just to clarify regarding the textbook, the problem was that my daughter says she turned it in and the teacher said she didn’t. The old textbooks were collected and new ones handed out to everyone. My daughter got her new textbook and nothing was... read the full comment by momof1 | Comment on What to do when you disagree with a teacher's discipline? Read What to do when you disagree with a teacher's discipline?