Lessons on Parenting

I have learned a very important lesson tonight.

Two days ago I brought Tate to the pediatrician's office for his 5 year check-up. All was well until the doctor checked his throat and said, "Oh. He's got some red dots in there. If he gets a sore throat or fever or throws up, you might want to bring him back here right away." I ask why. Doctor says it could be strep throat. Oh. "Ummmm... he threw up a few days ago. But only once and was totally fine right after. No other symptoms and was eating and bouncing off the walls the rest of the day." Doctor looks at me. Looks at Tate. Gets the throat culture swabs out. Positive. Crap. I bring in a symptom-free kid for a well visit and I walk out with strep throat, antibiotics and a 24-hour no contact order.

The lesson I learned tonight is... do NOT wake up Tate to give him a forgotten dose of medicine. After talking gibberish, flopping over and finally seeming like he was awake enough - he took a small swallow, then took in the rest of the dose, swished it around his mouth like mouthwash (uh oh...Tate swallow it.... swallow it) and then promptly and expertly spit it out. All over clutchie. He lied back down and closed his eyes and will not remember it even happened in the morning. He'll be awfully surprised when he sees pink all over clutchie tomorrow.