Good Popsicles and Red Jell-O

I sent Mike out for BOTH children’s Tylenol and children’s Advil as well as the “good” popsicles while I proceeded to get a cool washcloth on Isabelle and take her temperature again just to make sure we were still in the “safe” fever zone.

We went to bed early with Isabelle camped out on our bedroom floor surrounded by a host of stuffed animal companions, her favorite blanket and a pillow that she continues to love even though it long ago lost its “loft.”

This morning we awoke to the same fever with no additional symptoms.  We cancelled all the plans we had for the day and contacted those who needed to know.  We spent the rest of the day on the couch cuddling and binge watching kids’ shows on Netflix.  And when that became a bore, we switched to Hallmark movies—can you believe we are already watching Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas?

Over the course of the day there has been medicine, Sprite, a milkshake, homemade mashed potatoes, “red” Jell-O and a host of other things we did in an effort to meet demands and help inch closer to a cure.  Unfortunately, we’ll be heading to the doctor as it seems the love of Mom and Dad can’t cure this one.

As I was rubbing my daughter’s hair away from her warm cheeks this afternoon, I was thinking about how lucky I am to have the support of my husband, Mike, our friends, and my workplace.  Without them, our day may have looked much different.

There are many parents who don’t have the luxury of sitting at home to care for a sick child—they will lose their jobs if they “miss one more day” so they are forced to make impossible decisions about leaving a sick child at home and going to work.  And at times, kids who really need to be in bed resting are sent to school because that is the parent’s best and safest option.  Learning is difficult for a child who is ill and it’s not uncommon to hear a story of a child who tells school staff to not call a parent if they are sick because “mommy will lose her job and she really needs it.”

One of the many things we do at Radiant Health is help families build healthy social networks so that support is available, however, that’s not the total answer.

As you walk into this new week, be mindful of those parents who work with you and for you. How can you provide just a little extra support when they need it?  If you are an employer, what are you doing to make your company the most family friendly company to work for in all of Indiana?

It really does take all of us working together to raise the children of our communities to be happy and healthy contributing adults. Together, let’s make Grant County and the surrounding area the best place in the world to raise a family—because every kid deserves GOOD popsicles and RED Jell-O.