Juicy!

I received an email from a colleague of mine today.  It offers an interesting message to parents.  The email reads:

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question.

‘Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?’

I replied, “I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flowerbeds and cocklebur’s (aka thistles) out of dad’s fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us!!!!

If this is what happens when we “drug” our kids, I really do hope our children gets drugged more often.

Kids love ‘em! Teachers adore ‘em! Parents can’t live without ‘em! Even the dentist offers a lollipop at the end of a teeth cleaning session!

Ahhh, the wonders of junk food. How it keeps a young kid smiling. It works like magic. And it’s healthy, right? It’s what teachers and parents think.

Teachers use them as rewards in the classroom. Get an answer right, they get a bubble gum. Kids learn how to count with M&M’s or get familiar with the colors of the rainbow by grabbing a handful of Skittles.

Parents use them to show their love. The entire class gets cupcakes on the poor kid’s birthday. At least they are learning how to share, right? Oh, and let’s not forget the bunny marshmallows on Easter, the green colored shamrock-shaped cookies for St. Patrick’s Day, the foil wrapped eyeball looking chocolates and and assorted flavored dum dums for Halloween, and all those holiday munchies during Thanksgiving and Christmas! I don’t think the parents know that it is too late to avoid a cavity when they make “bring little Jake to the dentist” their 10th resolution for New Year’s.

As a matter of fact, I don’t think they know that junk food is linked to asthma. Nor are they aware it increases the risk of getting diabetes and heart disease later in life. I wonder if they know that one out of every three kids are at risk of being overweight? It’s no wonder schools are banning vending machines and soda pops. Did I forget to mention that, according to Forbes, the U.S. of America is the 9th fattest nation in the world?

But, heck! Who wants brussel sprouts over twinkies anyway? For the parent who thinks your kid deserves an apple as a snack, you are not alone. And if you’re reading this and still think junk food is healthy for your kids, here’s your doctor’s prescription: Coca-Cola. Perhaps you should follow the schools and ban junk food in your home. After all, kids learn by example.

It seems as if many parents automatically think that their baby has a fever when his temperature runs at 99 Degrees. Although it is a good indicator that your baby is warm, it does not necessarily mean he has a fever. Furthermore, 98.6 Degrees is not necessarily the “normal” temperature either.

There are many things that can affect the body temperature. For instance, if your baby just had some water, his temperature may be a bit cooler. Or if he is wearing too much clothing, his temperature may be a few degrees higher as well.

The level of activity can also affect the body temperature. If your baby has been active, his body temperature will most likely be a bit higher than “normal.”

Another factor could be the type of thermometer you are using to measure your baby’s temperature.  There are three types of thermometers: rectal, oral/tympanic (ear), or under the arm.  Different parts of the body can exhibit different temperatures.  If you use a rectal thermometer, expect to see a higher temperature than if you were to use an under the arm kind.

So if there are many things that can affect the body temperature, then exactly what is considered a “normal” temperature?  And how can you tell if your baby has a fever?

Before you take the baby’s temperature, make sure your baby has not had anything to drink, eat, bathed, and limit his physical activity 15 minutes prior to taking his temperature.  Your child has a fever if his temperature exceeds:

• 100.4 Degrees if  using a rectal thermometer,
• 99.8 Degrees if using an oral or tympanic thermometer, or
• 99.0 Degrees if using an under the arm thermometer.

If your child’s temperature exceeds the above temperatures, take note of the time and day you measured the temperature and contact your pediatrician.