Dear Working Mom,
I see you as you wipe crusties from your eye when you get up earlier than your family.
So you can get yourself ready before getting everyone else ready.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you as you rush to get kids in the kitchen to eat breakfast.
Juggling a spoon and feeding your child in one hand and a holding a knife cutting strawberries in the other hand to make your kids lunches.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you as you throw the dishes in the sink.
Not an extra second to put them in the dishwasher.
So, hesitantly, you leave a sink full of dishes to return to later.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you as you run around like a crazy woman looking for that missing sock for your child.
Brushing teeth.
Combing hair.
Wiping snot.
Putting on shoes.
Cherishing the 30 minutes you have with them while you get them ready.
Running out the door to make it on time.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you as you drop your children off at their location and wipe a tear away as you leave them.
I see you tell yourself over and over:
"It is okay that I have to go to work."
"I'm not a bad mommy for leaving my child."
"They are in good hands."
Trying to make the guilt flee.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you busy at work all day trying to get everything accomplished so you can get home ASAP.
As you pass the picture of your kids at your desk -you just smile.
You whisper a prayer for your babies.
That they know you love them.
That they are safe.
That they are loved.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you walk in the door so excited to see your kids and welcome them as they run into your arms.
You give a million kisses and a million hugs in a matter of minutes.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you wanting nothing more to play with your kids.
But you're so drained from work.
You just want to sit a minute in the quiet.
But you feel guilty because you have been gone all day.
So you pick yourself up and fight through it so you can give your all to your kids now.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you making dinner.
Watching your kids laugh and play and smiling because you remember how blessed you are.
I see your body exhausted but you accomplish what needs to be done anyway.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you as you tenderly play with your kids and love on them.
Playing chase, hide-and-seek, and baby dolls.
Building tents, teaching them to ride a bike, and playing dinosaurs.
I see the way your kids look up and smile at you.
Because they adore you, and they love you.
No matter what.
And they are thankful for the time they DO get with you.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you getting your kids ready for bed time.
Baths, stories, milk, and cuddles.
Times to be cherished and never replaced.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you doing the dishes.
Laundry.
Extra work you brought home.
All the things you didn't get done while your kids were awake so you could spend time with them.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you crawl into bed.
Exhausted.
Ready to sleep, so you can do it all again the next day.
Because I am that mom too.
I see you working mom.
It is hard.
It is draining.
But it is worth it.
Keep pushing hard.
You are doing a good job!!!
You are a good mom, don't let anyone tell you differently.
You're setting a good example.
They see good work ethic and good family values.
Our kids and families need us, but they understand too.
We're in this together!
Give yourself some grace.
I have to remind myself of that.
Because I am that mom too.
Karlee
Friday, September 18, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Signs of Common Illnesses in Babies
One of the hardest things when becoming a mother is learning signs of when your baby is sick. All they do is eat, cry, and sleep. They cannot tell you if something is hurting or if something isn't right. Here are a few of the most common illnesses for little ones and the signs, symptoms, and treatment for them.
1. Ear Infection: Brody had his first ear infection at 3. Payton had hers at 6 months old and had four ear infections in four months. Needless to say, I got good at diagnosing these!
Signs and symptoms:
1. Your baby pulls or tugs at their ear. (Payton hardly ever does this, but I hear lots of babies do!)
2. Fever
3. Reduced appetite (The same bug that causes these can also cause an upset tummy.)
4. Along with #4, pulling away while eating.
5. Draining from the ear
6. Trouble sleeping (This is Payton's major sign!)
Below is a picture (from google) that shows a child with drainage from an ear infection.
What to do:
Take your baby to the doctor if you think they may have an ear infection. Ear infections need antibiotics and can get worse, even rupture an ear drum. Most antibiotics treatments are for 10 days.
2. Croup
Croup is a very common illness with little ones. Especially in cold months and especially if they attend day care or school. Croup happens more in children (peak age of 18-24 months) because they have smaller airways. It is a virus and so the actual croup is not treated. However, steroids are often given to help with the inflammation of the airway. This usually last 3-4 days.
Signs and symptoms:
1. "Barky" cough. This is the best way to diagnose croup. Brody had this a lot from about 8 - 15 months of age. The cough is very distinguished. You can go on YouTube and search for "Croup Cough" and hear what it sounds like. Here is an example.
2. The cough usually appears at night time. A doctors appointment can usually wait until the next day unless the child is having trouble breathing. If that is the case, call 911 or go straight to the ER.
3. Fever can be accompanied with this as well as a hoarse voice.
What to do:
Make an appointment with your child's pediatrician as soon as you can so it does not worsen unless they are having trouble breathing. If that is the case, call 911 or go to the ER.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
This virus usually appears between 4-6 days after exposure. The symptoms are usually "cold-like" symptoms but could be worse. This is a virus and cannot be treated with medicine for the actual virus.
Mild signs and symptoms:
*Runny nose
*Dry cough
*Low fever
Severe signs and symptoms:
*Fever
*Severe cough
*Wheezing
*Rapid/difficulty breathing
*Bluish color
What to do:
Make an appointment with your doctor when signs appear. If your child is having trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the ER immediately. In some cases, children need oxygen and a hospital stay to get breathing and airways under control. In mild cases, children can recover within a few days to weeks with Tylenol to help them be comfortable.
Fevers
If your child is under 3 months of age, call your doctor immediately if they have a temperature of 100.4 or greater. (Rectal temperatures this young are very accurate.)
If they are over 3 months, call your doctor and watch your child and assess them, as long as their fever is below 104. Always trust your intuition. If you think your child needs to be seen, take them. Its always better to be safe.
If their fever is 104 or greater, call your doctor immediately to see what steps need to be taken.
Hope this helps with common illnesses little ones face. Until next time!
**I am not a medical doctor or nurse and have zero medical background. Please see a certified medical physician/professional if you are concerned with the health of your child in any way. I am just a mommy blogging from my own experience. Do not take my advice or information over your medical professionals or medical recommendations. Always use the advice, diagnosis, and treatment of your medical professionals over mine.
1. Ear Infection: Brody had his first ear infection at 3. Payton had hers at 6 months old and had four ear infections in four months. Needless to say, I got good at diagnosing these!
Signs and symptoms:
1. Your baby pulls or tugs at their ear. (Payton hardly ever does this, but I hear lots of babies do!)
2. Fever
3. Reduced appetite (The same bug that causes these can also cause an upset tummy.)
4. Along with #4, pulling away while eating.
5. Draining from the ear
6. Trouble sleeping (This is Payton's major sign!)
Below is a picture (from google) that shows a child with drainage from an ear infection.
What to do:
Take your baby to the doctor if you think they may have an ear infection. Ear infections need antibiotics and can get worse, even rupture an ear drum. Most antibiotics treatments are for 10 days.
2. Croup
Croup is a very common illness with little ones. Especially in cold months and especially if they attend day care or school. Croup happens more in children (peak age of 18-24 months) because they have smaller airways. It is a virus and so the actual croup is not treated. However, steroids are often given to help with the inflammation of the airway. This usually last 3-4 days.
Signs and symptoms:
1. "Barky" cough. This is the best way to diagnose croup. Brody had this a lot from about 8 - 15 months of age. The cough is very distinguished. You can go on YouTube and search for "Croup Cough" and hear what it sounds like. Here is an example.
2. The cough usually appears at night time. A doctors appointment can usually wait until the next day unless the child is having trouble breathing. If that is the case, call 911 or go straight to the ER.
3. Fever can be accompanied with this as well as a hoarse voice.
What to do:
Make an appointment with your child's pediatrician as soon as you can so it does not worsen unless they are having trouble breathing. If that is the case, call 911 or go to the ER.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
This virus usually appears between 4-6 days after exposure. The symptoms are usually "cold-like" symptoms but could be worse. This is a virus and cannot be treated with medicine for the actual virus.
Mild signs and symptoms:
*Runny nose
*Dry cough
*Low fever
Severe signs and symptoms:
*Fever
*Severe cough
*Wheezing
*Rapid/difficulty breathing
*Bluish color
What to do:
Make an appointment with your doctor when signs appear. If your child is having trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the ER immediately. In some cases, children need oxygen and a hospital stay to get breathing and airways under control. In mild cases, children can recover within a few days to weeks with Tylenol to help them be comfortable.
Fevers
If your child is under 3 months of age, call your doctor immediately if they have a temperature of 100.4 or greater. (Rectal temperatures this young are very accurate.)
If they are over 3 months, call your doctor and watch your child and assess them, as long as their fever is below 104. Always trust your intuition. If you think your child needs to be seen, take them. Its always better to be safe.
If their fever is 104 or greater, call your doctor immediately to see what steps need to be taken.
Hope this helps with common illnesses little ones face. Until next time!
**I am not a medical doctor or nurse and have zero medical background. Please see a certified medical physician/professional if you are concerned with the health of your child in any way. I am just a mommy blogging from my own experience. Do not take my advice or information over your medical professionals or medical recommendations. Always use the advice, diagnosis, and treatment of your medical professionals over mine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
