Unbelievable!

I can almost count on one hand the times that parents have actually listened to me when I've recommended something that is not a "quick fix." I'm not talking about turning around the car seat when they turn 1 year old and weigh 20 lbs. I'm not talking about switching from formula to whole milk, or not feeding infants and small kids honey. I'm talking about the tough stuff, that requires some significant commitment.

I remember the Dad in my residency who quit smoking when I told him that the risk of SIDS goes up 7 times when a baby is around a parent or caregiver who smokes (even if it's not inside the house). I remember the parents who I mentioned earlier, who stopped babying their 3 year old when I told them they were holding him back. And from this week on, I will always remember my darling D. and her courageous parents.

They don't speak very much English, and are incredibly patient with me as I muddle through with my Spanish. Last time I saw D, her height was 25% and her weight was over the 95%-- she was off the charts. I know their culture is such that chubby is preferable to skinny, and so I try to take that into account, but this was really too much. I advised them that her weight was a real concern-- hard on her bones, hard on her health, hard to start out overweight as a child and change it as an adult. They seemed to understand, but I always wonder how much translates-- they're a jovial couple and always smile and nod when I talk to them.

This week D was my first appointment of the day, and as I walked into the room I skimmed her growth charts, and was stopped in my tracks. Her weight had dropped to the 85%, even lost weight by a pound. I was stunned! I went in with the hugest smile on my face, and couldn't contain my joy. I even got teary-eyed as I told them how proud of all of them I was. They had made some changes in her diet ("red" milk to 2%, less fat, fewer packaged snack foods), and kept her active. She looked so wonderful-- she got three stickers from me, I was so happy.

It made my day-- my week, really. To have a patient begin to be more healthy, make better choices, because of something I said-- that's a huge compliment. It's an even bigger responsibility, and I don't take it lightly.

Not a drop to drink

I was leaving the downtown Target the other day via the underground garage, and passed by a pitiful sight.  There was a grandmother  with a full cart, admonishing her grandson, "Now, if you finish the drink I won't have anything to take my pills with, and that will make me upset."  This child was maybe 4 years old, and was drinking the drink as he was watching his grandmother talk to him.  

Note I didn't say listening to her, because he clearly wasn't.  He was still drinking.  Let's set aside the fact that this small child was drinking soda-- the diet of our nation's youth is an entirely different subject for another post.  He was clearly disobeying her, and she was tolerating it.  If she allowed him to continue, I have no doubt he would finish the drink-- and what reason did he have to think she was serious?  She was ensuring that he would not listen, and ensuring she would get mad.  

Trying to reason with a child of that age is simply ridiculous.  They don't have abstract reasoning skills yet.  Why set them up for failure?  Either give him his own drink, or when he is getting close to not leaving you enough, take it back.  He may cry, but you tell him you need the rest, and he has had enough.  Why????  Because you said so.  

MMD  

I need a 12-step program

I am a Journalspace refugee.  Well, my other persona is.  I always blogged more personal stuff at the Cheeseguy blog on Journalspace.  

I also futzed with the HTML to make it look nice, and I was really proud of that-- it took a lot of time!  Despite my other job consulting with doctors and technology, I'm really not much of a programmer.  I do consider myself a logical person, so trial-and-error with the HTML wasn't too awful.  I could definitely use a class... be sure to put that right at the bottom of my to-do list.  

Well, journalspace is no more.  We have moved Cheeseguy to blogspot, but now all the recoverable stuff has to be dealt with.  I am grateful to friends for helping us recover as much as we have, but Paris and Barcelona are mostly gone.  It's really hard to think about it at times.

So now back to real life- to 2009, and the hope that it will bring us a baby.  I know that will change everything, but I think we will be able to handle it.  Ah, the folly of the end of youth.  

MMD

Where I've been

Just an FYI for those out there-- I am on my honeymoon (follow our travels from the blog link at www.cheeseguy.com) and will return Friday the 7th, hopefully to a renewed dedication to blogging.

PS- European kids are pretty well behaved-- the tantrums have been at a minumum over here!

Mean Moms Poem

My sister in law sent me this today, so thanks to L. for this:

*************************************
Mean Moms

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as my Mean ole Mom told me:

I loved you enough . . . to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough . . . to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.

And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.

**********

Tough Love Update

This past Monday, I saw my little 3 year old that I posted about in Tough Love. Apparently, the same night that they saw me, his parents started having him dress himself and feed himself, and are working toward having him sleep in his own bed. When he came in with his little brother (who was there for his 9 month old checkup), he was more interactive, answered most of my questions, and smiled a few times. His marked improvement earned him a Lightning McQueen sticker and a "yummy stick" (I use flavored tongue depressors, that are impregnated with a nondescript fruity taste but are non-sugared-- kids LOVE them, but I happen to think they taste way overly sweet-- blech). I am all for positive reinforcement.

Thought you would like to know. It sure made my day.

It Takes a Village

Riding the NY Subway over the weekend, I was not surprised to see a 2 yr old having a meltdown. Mid-afternoon, probably missed her nap, tired and crabby. She was hitting her Mom and screaming, didn't want to get into her stroller, and Mom was threatening her with a time out on a crowded subway. God bless her. I heard Mom say, "Do you want a time out? I'll put you in the time out chair!" At that point I stood up and gestured to my open spot and said, "Look, a time out chair!" Mom looked at me gratefully and sat her child down. She thanked me, and I told her, "That's okay, I'm a pediatrician. Thank you for letting me help you." She said, "That's allright, it takes a village to raise a child these days...." The girl of course was having none of the discipline, squirming out of the chair, but Mom was dutifully putting her right back in. I walked her through it, and then we actually put her back in her stroller for the remainder of her time out since she kept squirming out of my seat. I told Mom to turn the stroller away from her so she wasn't getting any attention, and the toddler slowly calmed herself down. I kept giving Mom verbal support during the tantrum, and she seemed grateful (actually mentioned that "The time out thing is sort of new to her.") When the toddler was quiet, Mom took her out and gave her a hug and some juice, and she was fine for the remainder of the subway ride.

I wish for more moments like this, where we can help one another raise well disciplined, secure, happy children. God bless that Mom and her daughter, and a special blessing for her having the courage to take some help.