Tip: we found a way to get J Boy to take some of his medicine that might help some of you.
Be aware, it requires some wrestling and outrage on his part.
Many over-the-counter medications come in melt-away form. We crush it, put in in a spoon or other narrow device (the large straws from insulated cups work well, too), and funnel it into his mouth while James holds him down. He can't spit out the powder and it dissolves quickly while he's busy being angry at us.
I know we're not the only parents who have to wrestle with their kid for their own good, but it still makes me feel bad. However, the satisfaction of knowing that he can't choose to harm himself anymore by letting a fever get out of control, or worrying a stuffed nose ALL NIGHT LONG, or crying that he "doesn't like to cough" outweighs the guilt I feel. J Boy's been struggling with seasonal allergies lately and he feels the worst outcome of being sick is taking medicine. For me, it's being up all night with him because he can't stop coughing or his sinuses are so congested he can't breath through his nose. We were looking at a third night of this after indulging him for the past few days until I squashed my sympathy for him last night and told James it was happening one way or another and it was probably going to be ugly. In the past, we tried hiding all his medicine in his food but he's wise to us and insists on choosing from the kitchen what he will eat and avoids all likely culprits for camouflage. We'd also wheedle, cajole, bribe, threaten; we even went so far as to hide chewables in a bowl of smarties hoping he'd unwittingly eat one.
Now if only we can figure out antibiotics without wasting half the bottle.
Be aware, it requires some wrestling and outrage on his part.
Many over-the-counter medications come in melt-away form. We crush it, put in in a spoon or other narrow device (the large straws from insulated cups work well, too), and funnel it into his mouth while James holds him down. He can't spit out the powder and it dissolves quickly while he's busy being angry at us.
I know we're not the only parents who have to wrestle with their kid for their own good, but it still makes me feel bad. However, the satisfaction of knowing that he can't choose to harm himself anymore by letting a fever get out of control, or worrying a stuffed nose ALL NIGHT LONG, or crying that he "doesn't like to cough" outweighs the guilt I feel. J Boy's been struggling with seasonal allergies lately and he feels the worst outcome of being sick is taking medicine. For me, it's being up all night with him because he can't stop coughing or his sinuses are so congested he can't breath through his nose. We were looking at a third night of this after indulging him for the past few days until I squashed my sympathy for him last night and told James it was happening one way or another and it was probably going to be ugly. In the past, we tried hiding all his medicine in his food but he's wise to us and insists on choosing from the kitchen what he will eat and avoids all likely culprits for camouflage. We'd also wheedle, cajole, bribe, threaten; we even went so far as to hide chewables in a bowl of smarties hoping he'd unwittingly eat one.
Now if only we can figure out antibiotics without wasting half the bottle.
Lindsey - I feel your pain. My sons both were experts at vomiting up any medications in a heartbeat. They too were quick to catch any medications embeded in or disguised as any edible food substance. Many nights I spent cleaning up cough syrup from the kitchen floor and myself. I was able to teach them how to swallow jelly beans without biting into them, and then progressed on to swallowing benedryl and zyrtec. You could try sliding small pills into the hollow part of red licorice. There is a form of Claritin now that dissolves readily in your mouth, so that may help. Because of Jacob's age I dont know if he can take it. The pharmacists are now able to add various kid-friendly flavorings to medications that may help as well with the antibiotics.
Good luck, and hang in there. God would not have trusted him with you if He didnt think you were up for the task of raising him. You are just as special as your son is.
Posted by: Diane Campagna | 03/06/2012 at 07:51 AM