If the first thing you don’t hear this morning is laughter, I hope the next is this… enjoy! ~ Nurse Mommy

“Oh, how I loves me some James Taylor…” Stacey Hatton Feb. 2012

BY STACEY HATTON

Since this is the month where spouses, mates and partners are often pulling out all the stops to create that special date which says “I love you,” can I just say, an annual blow-out date is not the best way to show someone how you feel. This is how it is with kids too. Children need one-on-one time with parents to realize how special they are.                                                                                                                  When I was a kid, alone time with a parent was called either “punishment” or “education time.” Why was my body changing? What are those birds and bees about? But as many of you from this new millennium are discovering, things are quite different – bonding with your kids is possible and date nights WITH them is a good way to start.

Rules of a Parent-Child Date:

Avoid Distractions Having a parent “date” night with your child means physically removing yourselves from stressful environments: such as the house (where possibly arguments have occurred or homework has been struggled over) and the computer (where work emails are piling up and deadlines are looming). In order for this to be a successful date, both parties need to let go of their day and relax into quality time without regular household interruptions. This event also needs to be treated like you are attending the theatre or meeting the Pope: TURN OFF YOUR PHONES AND NO TEXTING ALLOWED!! It’s called manners people. Both the child and parent should let their spouse and friends know they’re going to be “out of commission” for the next couple of hours and won’t be answering their phone; unless there is a MAJOR emergency – and no, this doesn’t include a sale at Justice or Vera Bradley OR the current score of the Chief’s game.

Three’s a Crowd

Although family time is an important part of a successful household, participating in one-on-one time with each of your children can bring your relationships closer and build trust.     With date nights, each child has one parent to themselves. There’s no competition with the other children in the family or the other parent. Complete attention! This makes the child feel important, builds self-esteem, and lets the parent and child get to know each other. “Let them know just how important they are to you,” states the American Academy of Pediatrics, “not only through words, but through a commitment of time.”

Open Communication

Parent and child date night is usually fun for both parties, but can be “eye-opening” for the parent as well. Having the opportunity for uninterrupted open communication is essential for children sharing with their parents. “My husband travels a lot, so I have many opportunities to have ‘date’ night with my boys,” says a Leawood mother. “Most of our evenings out revolve around going to dinner. It’s a great time to talk with no distractions. It’s times like these when my boys open up and tell me what really goes on at school. Not just about tests or recess, but how they are getting along with other kids at school. In a day where bullying is so scary, I like to make sure I am tuned-in to how they are treated at school and how they treat others. I feel that at these quiet moments with no distractions I can give them confidence and advice they need to deal with the social struggles of everyday life in school.”

Less Talk, More Listening Now I’m no Oprah, but she would be telling you this…everyone wants to be validated! Children want to be heard and the only way to do that is to R-E-A-L-L-Y listen. Don’t talk over them or just wait until it is your time to talk, but listen to what they are saying – or try this…listen to the words they aren’t saying. Deep, huh! The more time for their chatter, you might actually learn something.  So on these dates…talk LESS. Now for me this is mission-nearly-impossible-but-doable – especially, if it’s for the well-being of my children. These dates cannot be for judging your kids or for lecturing; but if they start to open up about something bothering them at school or with friends, just let them talk it out! This date is not a therapy session. In-depth talks are saved for another time when you aren’t having “fun” time.

Be Creative Choose a regular night for these activities, stick with it and most of all…like most dates, you must keep them creative and fun! Here are a few ideas to start off with:

• Homemade Coupon Books: provide the kids dates to fun locations, which they can redeem at any time.
• Reward systems: instead of rewarding good behavior with toys or food, make it “date time!” (i.e. “Win a date bowling with mom.” or “Go to your choice of movie with dad.”)
• Once a month Date Club: alternate kid with parent (if equal ratio) and always let the child plan the date – within reason of course!
• Mystery Date: let the kids create exciting dates they would like to do and place several choices in a hat. Have the parent draw the mystery date (don’t tell the child where they are going). The suspense adds to the fun!

The Kansas City Star – Saturday, February 4, 2012

(Published in KC Parent magazine February 2012 issue)

Oh, Jules…I would just DIE if any of my kids ever stole…SOPHIE!!! WHERE DID YOU GET THIS POLLY POCKET!

From birth you begin teaching your children right from wrong with hopes they will listen to a smidge of your advice; however, there are various developmental stages where kids just can’t grasp the difference between what’s theirs and carpe latoy (seize the toy).

Toddlers/Preschoolers

Let’s face it…kiddos are clueless about money or what belongs to whom. Explaining how they should pay for something sets an educational foundation for them, but if your toddler is sitting in the “fire truck” cart at the grocery store, within easy reach of the bright shiny tube of M&M’s, you’d better check his mitts before you exit—unless you want to return with your screaming child.

Grade-schoolers

Most children by this age should know they aren’t to take something without paying for it. If they do steal, there could be a lack of self-control issue or other underlying problems which need to be addressed—especially if behaviors are repeated.

Preteens and Adolescents

Older youths know it’s wrong to steal, but peer pressure can play a role in their actions, or they may be thrill seekers testing limits. This age of experimenting with independence from parents and rebelling often can be confused by teens as fun behavior. Other adolescents may not have money, so they steal to keep up with their peers in fashion, music, events and recreational habits, including drinking, smoking and drugs. Other teens just crave attention because of stressors at home or school.

What’s a Parent to Do?

It’s the parents’ responsibility to teach young children that stealing is wrong. The child must be deeply impressed with the lesson that she hurts someone if she doesn’t pay for an item, ask if she can borrow it or have it.

When a toddler takes something from a store, parents are advised to take the child and item back to the store. Make sure the child apologizes to the cashier or manager and then either return the item or pay for it if it has been consumed. This makes a huge impact on the child and further punishment is not usually warranted. The Nemours Foundation says, “By the first and second grades, kids should know stealing is wrong. But they may need a better understanding of the consequences.” What do you tell parents if grade-schoolers or preteens are stealing? Dr. Jason Wichman, a pediatrician at Pediatric Care Specialists in Overland Park, says, “If it’s once or twice, I usually have the child apologize and then write a letter admitting they were wrong. If it’s an ongoing problem, there probably is something else more significant going on. I talk to Mom or Dad and see how school and home life are going and get a psychologist involved. You have to find out if the stealing is a cry for help, abuse or something else occurring.”

Repeated Behavior

(Nemours Foundation) One third of juveniles who’ve been caught shoplifting have difficulty quitting. It’s important to help youth understand they may face serious consequences if they continue to steal. Here are additional resources for parents, if stealing becomes a serious problem:

• family therapist/counselor
• primary physician
• minister, priest or rabbi
• school counselor
• National Association for Shoplifting Prevention – www.ShopliftingPrevention.org
• Kleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous – www.KleptomaniacsAnonymous.com

Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN, freelance writer and mom of two fabulous girls who would rather eat worms than apologize to a store clerk.

(©Hatton. All rights reserved.)

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FDA media report: Attention women on Lo/Ovral 28  and Norgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol birth control!!!!!

Look over these lot numbers to make sure you don’t have any of these recalled packets.  You could end up with opposite results of what you are planning!!        ~  Nurse Mommy

Contact:
Consumer:
1-877-509-3935

Media:
Grace Ann Arnold – Media
(845) 602-4768
Graceann.Arnold@Pfizer.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 31, 2012 – NEW YORK, N.Y. – Pfizer Inc. announced today that it has voluntarily recalled 14 lots of Lo/Ovral®-28 (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)Tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets (generic) for customers in the U.S. market. An investigation by Pfizer found that some blister packs may contain an inexact count of inert or active ingredient tablets and that the tablets may be out of sequence. The cause was identified and corrected immediately.

These products are oral contraceptives indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception. These tablets were manufactured and packaged by Pfizer Inc., commercialized by Akrimax Rx Products and labeled under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand. This product is distributed to warehouses, clinics and retail pharmacies nationwide.

As a result of this packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy. These packaging defects do not pose any immediate health risks. However, consumers exposed to affected packaging should begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately. Patients who have the affected product (lot numbers are provided below) should notify their physician and return the product to the pharmacy.

These products are packaged in blister packs containing 21 tablets of active ingredients and seven tablets of inert ingredients. Correct dosing of this product is important in avoiding the associated risks of an unplanned pregnancy. Correctly packaged blister packs are pictured here.

Any adverse events that may be related to the use of these products should be reported to Akrimax Medical Information at 1-877-509-3935 (8 AM to 7 PM Mon-Fri CST) or to FDA’s Med Watch Program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online:              www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Regular Mail:   Use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA 3500
available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm. Mail
to the address on the pre-addressed form.
Fax:                   1-800-FDA-0178

Pfizer has responded rapidly to ensure that its products continue to meet the company’s high quality standards. The safety of patients who take our medicines is our first priority.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Lot numbers of affected packs of Lo/Ovral®-28 (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)Tablets and Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets (generic) follow on the table below:

Have you ever been so crazy about something you lost, that the next thing to lose was your mind?  It’s happening right here in the heartland of our country.  No, I’m not referring to the politicians and their half-brained debates and “commercials.”

I’m saying, I’ve lost my tweezers for the umpteenth time and I’m about to lose my mind!

Oh, you twitter, tee-hee or laugh aloud.  You think it’s cute or perhaps brings up memories of the time you lost something silly or trivial.  Well, let me tell you PEEPS this is different!! And 3 weeks into chin growth, I am a prickly woman on a mission!

“So go and buy a new pair, ridiculous woman!” you say?  Really.  What a novel idea.  Why hadn’t I thought of that?  FIVE inadequate pairs later and tapping into my children’s college fund, I still can’t find a pair to pull out the mothah of all hairs, and I’m NOT going to shave them off, so don’t ask!

You must think I’m some wooly mammoth or Neanderthal wife, but I’m not.  I have one, two, thrice hairs…but they are made of steel and if I were to air travel on Spring Break, I know I would set off the alarms:

(Potential scene to take place at local International Airport)

**BEEP!!!!!!!!**

“Please Ma’am, empty out your pockets,” says the charming TSA worker.

“There are no pockets in Mommy sweatpants,” I reply with head hanging.

“Do you have any watches, jewelry, or belts you forgot to remove?”

“No,” I hiss. “I haven’t worn a belt since my first child was born.”

“Step to the side so Ms. Fedalma can use the wand, please,” hollers the ever-understanding TSA employee.

“OK, FINE! So I lost my tweezers, and I can’t get these moronic chin hairs out.  They are made of steel, I tell ya!  Have you happened to confiscate any tweezers from anyone?  Can I go through that bucket and search for a good pair.  I’ve had no luck and I can’t get these suckers out? I promise your alarms will stop once these blasted hairs are gone!”

This afternoon I just might load up the kids in the van and take a drive to the airport to sift through that bucket.  With all the items they confiscate, I’m sure TSA has to have a good pair of tweezers like the one’s I lost so many weeks ago. Plus, the kids could use a good nap on the way…

Experts tell you when you hit bottom, you’ll know it.   I’m sure they’ll call if I get to that point!  Right?!

(©2012, Hatton. All rights reserved.)

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Let’s just say there was a time in my simple young life, when an occasional PB&J would light up my face like any other child in the free world.  These were easier times…happier times.  An era when kids didn’t have to worry about much:  just hop on the bike, head home from school, have a bowl of Cheez-its, watch an episode of Gilligan’s Island and then run back outside to join your friends to play whatever was going on in the neighborhood that afternoon.

Well brothers and sistahs, things have changed and I know I am NOT the first to tell you that!!!  When my babies came into the world, my anxiety levels compounded like wart remover:

• “What am I going to do with these gi-normous breasts after they stop producing milk?”

• “Suppose someone tries to break into our house and take our infant, and I’m watching it on the baby video monitor, only to realize that the video channels are crossed and it is my neighbor picking up their child to give their baby a bottle in the middle of the night and mine is sound asleep and fine!!”  (True story…happened to a friend!)

• “Or worse…what if my child has to sit at the dreaded PEANUT TABLE at the school cafeteria in grade school!”  (This is not a joke…a real fear of mine and I say a prayer for every parent and child who has to deal with this allergy.  Scares the living tar out of me!

Well, fast-forward six years and here we are – thank heavens – not at the peanut table, but in our own version of “peanut hell.”  My child will ONLY eat PB&J for lunch.  I know…Nurse Mommy can’t get her child to eat?  Yes!  Shut it.  Either can other specialists and doctors, so there!

So we figured this would be a stage which would eventually pass, and with patience we would keep her eating healthily with fruits and veggies (which she loves), whole grains and dairy; and just not obsess about her obsession, while making her lunch for school.

Then the GREAT day came…duh, duh, dunnah!!!!!

“Mom, tomorrow I’m going to buy my lunch at school.”

(After almost needing a Depends a few decades early, I knew it best not to get overly emotional, or show any emotion, for that matter.)

“Sure. Whatever,” I agreed nonchalantly.  “What are you going to get?”

“They have Peanut Butter and Jelly!!”

OF COURSE THEY DO.

(2012© Hatton, all rights reserved)

previously published in Simply KC magazine January 2012 issue

If you think there aren’t many children suffering with diabetes in our country, think again. The Nemours Foundation reports, “Every year in the United States, 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and more than 1 million American kids and adults deal with the disease every day.” These are otherwise healthy kids who just hit the gene pool lottery and came out with a life-long illness which at first is all consuming to the entire family.

What is Diabetes?

Glucose, the primary sugar our body uses to produce energy, comes from foods and beverages we consume. Without glucose our bodies wouldn’t be able to perform daily functions. When consuming glucose, in normal functioning bodies, the pancreas will release insulin, which then triggers body cells to accept the glucose – then the “energy” leaves the bloodstream and begins performing. If this process doesn’t occur, then an overload of glucose stays in the bloodstream, resulting in a host of other health problems.          “Type 1 diabetes (formerly juvenile diabetes) results when the pancreas loses its ability to make the hormone insulin,” reports Nemours. “In type 1 diabetes, the person’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Once those cells are destroyed, they won’t ever make insulin again.”

Signs & Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes isn’t an easily diagnosed disease, and symptoms are typically as follows:

• Weight loss – body breaks down stored fat and muscle to gain fuel for deprived cells.
• Frequent urination –kidneys flush out high levels of glucose from the bloodstream through urine.
• Extreme thirst – more urination…dehydration.
• Extreme fatigue or tiredness – not able to process glucose correctly, which lowers energy levels.

Changes in Family Life

Lifestyles don’t always change dramatically; but at diagnosis, younger children and teenagers are most challenging. With little ones, the fear of pain is always an issue and no fun for the “Stick-er” or the “Stick-ee.” Luckily, it will become easier over time.

Adolescents are challenging on a different level – imagine that! They usually don’t struggle with testing or injections, but the commitment to their health and not wanting to be different from their peers is a HUGE blockade.                                                                Angela Turpin, MD, Director of the Children’s Diabetes Center at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, sees numerous diabetics in the area. She clarifies the daily protocol for type 1 kids as this:

1. Check blood glucose levels frequently – using a finger stick and a meter reading machine. Dr. Turpin says, “Our goal for blood glucose testing is at least 4-6 times per day. Typical times to check are before and 2 hours after the 3 main meals and at bedtime.”
2. Insulin injections – an adult can do this for younger kids, older youth can perform this skill themselves or insulin pumps can automatically give doses for those prescribed by the physician. “About 90% of our patients are on insulin pumps,” reports Dr. Turpin. “We really promote pump therapy because it allows us to administer insulin in a way that better mimics a healthy pancreas. Additionally, pumps provide more freedom and flexibility for the patients than injections.”
3. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet – keep track of carbohydrates, starches and simple sugars (empty calories) and balance them with proteins and fats.
4. Exercise regularly – “Everyone needs exercise to stay healthy,” says Dr. Turpin. “For those with type 1 diabetes it is also an excellent way to help keep blood sugar levels in target, as exercise helps bring blood sugar down.”
5. Keep all follow-up appointments – remaining close to your diabetes health care team is mandatory for obtaining optimal results.

Treating Type 1 Diabetes

A diabetes management plan is crucial for every child. The health care team will establish short-term and long-term goals for the youth to assure they will maintain normal development. Emphasizing the child needs to keep his blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. Intestinal digestive juices destroy insulin if it is swallowed, so insulin unfortunately can’t be given in pill form. Nemours says of type 1 diabetics, “Insulin is the only medicine that can keep their blood sugar levels in a healthy range.” It’s hard to explain to a child that insulin can only be given by injection or insulin pump, but hopefully, in the future there will be less painful methods for these kids.

Fueling Your Child

“Foods containing (carbohydrates) cause blood sugar levels to go up the most,” reports Nemours. “Foods that are mostly protein and/or fat don’t affect blood sugar levels nearly as much.” Eating meals and snacks at regular times helps to keep blood sugar levels normal. Dr. Turpin states, “We educate our patients on carbohydrate counting and use a ratio of insulin to carbohydrates to adequately control blood sugar at meals and snacks. While we do not typically restrict carbs or empty calories, we certainly promote healthy eating habits overall.”

Nurses Tip

Since it is necessary for all children (humans) with medical disabilities/allergies wear a medical alert ID – don’t get lost in the dark ages! Lauren’s Hope is a website that offers trendy, kid-friendly medical ID bracelets and other jewelry which “combines safety with style.” Plus, they have glow-in-the-dark diabetes wrist bands. Way cool! Check them out at http://www.laurenshope.com.

Stacey Hatton, is a pediatric nurse, mother of two and freelance writer. You can find her humor blog at http://nursemommylaughs.com.

Yes, I know there are other ways to get my flailing preschoolers entertained.  We have tried many methods.  Here are a smattering of our attempts, flops and failures.

1)      Help mommy make dinner (you can only imagine the extended cleanup time.)

2)      “Go see who can clean their room the fastest and then you will win a cool prize.”

3)      Go find your own fun outside…in the 9 degree weather.

4)      Play outside with your friends.  Good luck finding one outside!!

5)      Paint in the basement. (Big, bad, no, no!!)

6)      Art project at the kitchen table (every 2.135 seconds  … “Mom?”)

7)      Go ride your bikes, scooters…did I mention it is 9 degrees and their tuckus’ will freeze to the metal?

8)      Draw with chalk in driveway (a summer sport)

Then it turns to the not-so-pretty…

9)      “GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!!!!”

Then back to pretty…

10)  “How about a Disney movie until dinner?” (Only 2 hours long and the experts say that kids are allowed 2 hours of daily screen time, so don’t roll those eyes at ME!!)

It’s bad, I know.  I swore I wouldn’t do it.  But I know if I had someone else’s kids who were sweet, quiet and polite before dinner time, the TV would remain off, but mine only decide to be like this at this time of the day.  So whatcha gonna do?

So until they grow out of the “witching hour” or the “daddy hour” or whatever you want to call the blasted hour when every freakin’ mother in the free world is pulling her hair out and cursing her children while trying to make a well-balanced and tasty meal, the kids at my house will continue to show me some crack, giggle at the screen and I will keep just an ounce of sanity while whistling while I work, until my prince comes (home)!

2012© Hatton, all rights reserved.