When Lucy and I first began our parent/child adventures, I was new to the whole thing. She was the most precious, pink, tiny thing I had ever made with my own body. Every single bump and scrape was a really big deal to me. I was pretty sure that I was going to break her every second of every day. She picked up on my gasping and chest clutching. After I realized that I had created a boo boo having monster, I have tried different tactics to reduce the appeal of over-reacting to stubbing ones toe on a throw pillow.
I tried getting mad. We all know how well that works. I tried snuggling, then explaining. It involves too much Whiny Precious Mother Voice for my taste. I tried ignoring. Lucille is not the type of person that is ignored. She is remarkably loud for such a skinny little kid. I would think her diet of apple slices, crumbs, and air would leave her practically mute from hunger. I tried applying band-aids to everything. This is fine, as the thrill of a Batman band-aid helps even me get over the most heinous of paper cuts. In the long run though, it is just rewarding her for getting all worked up. Band-aid/sticker, sticker/band-aid? It is a very thin line.
Today I hit upon a plan. Possibly my best plan ever. All injuries (barring those that actually require medical attention) must have rest and elevation. Here is how it works: Lucy gets a terrible "almost blood owie". She begins to howl. I check for large amounts of blood or limbs hanging loose. If all is well, I use my best Nurse Ratchet voice and offer to put her in her bed to rest and elevate the wounded limb, or finger as it were. She has to choose between continuing to play, and going to bed. HA! I am expecting my Genius of the Year award in the mail any day now.
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