What Are the Long Term Affects of Daycare?

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

A study on the long term affects of different forms of childcare has been conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study, beginning in 1991, involved a group of children whose behavior was followed from the age of 4 1/2 to sixth grade. Looking at teachers' reports, researchers found that, in general, children who had attended day care as opposed to staying home with a parent, nanny, family member, etc. were more likely to be cited for disruptive behavior. These results, however, was drawn from the data of children who had attended any day care. The NICHD's study, however, took into account what kind of care the children recieved. Childcare facilities were given a rating from between one and four based on factors such as quality of environment and child to caregiver ratio. Children who had attended what was deemed a high quality daycare center showed little difference in behavior from a child receiving care at home. It was shown that behavioral concerns later on were linked with children who had attended poor quality centers. Researchers also noted in this study that children benefited from attending a high quality center in that their vocabulary scores were higher than that of the children receiving care at home. These higher vocabulary scores in children that had attended high quality daycare facilities remained consistent throughout the study.Aside from these factors, researchers took into account what kind of parenting all of the children involved in the study received, and it was concluded that later behavior was far more strongly associated with parenting than childcare type.

References

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01021.x

http://www.slate.com/id/2162876

Marvelous Turkey Meatloaf

The following recipe comes from Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. It’s phenomenal.

• 3 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large onions)
• 2 Tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves ( ½ teaspoon dried)
• 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup chicken stock
• 1 ½ teaspoons tomato paste
• 5 lbs ground turkey breast
• 1 ½ cups plain dry bread crumbs
• 3 eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup ketchup

Preheat Oven to 325 Degrees

In a medium sauté pan, on medium heat, cook the onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme until the onions are translucent but not browned, approximately 15 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste and mix well. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, eggs and onion mixture in a large bowl. Mix well and shape into a rectangular loaf on an ungreased baking sheet. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 ½ hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees and the meatloaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking) Serve hot, room temperature, or cold in a sandwich.

Sheila Cason, MD

Day Care and Children

Can you guess which part of my day is my favorite? Easy huh? It’s when I walk in my children’s daycare and the welcome hugs knock me off my feet. I hold them and take in their sweet smiles and warm bodies. I spend some time chatting with their care providers and seeing how the day went.

It wasn’t always easy to accept that others would be taking care of my children. I used to feel a lot of guilt about putting them in daycare. I fussed and fretted and eventually tried a lot of different scenarios. Over and over I have found that my favorite was a licensed daycare. But that’s what works for my family. I see too many parents trying to make a decision about their childcare based on some one else’s needs, expectations and opinions. Like most things in parenting, ultimately you’ll need to decide what is right for you based on your unique situation.

I’ve trusted my gut and it’s been working out very well. If I ever wonder what my child is doing, I just look at their daily report. Here’s a peek at yesterday’s report for my 19 month old toddler. (I’ve summarized)

• He was happy, active, chatty and independent.
• He did dramatic play, music and movement, art and creative block building.
• He did story and circle time and outdoor play.
• He enjoyed pouring the water with the cups at the water table.
• He danced to music and played dress–up.
• He pretended to feed a baby doll bread and then wiped its mouth with a paper towel.
• He ate yogurt, chicken nuggets, oranges, potatoes, ketchup, bread and a muffin.
• He drank water, milk and apple juice.
• He slept from 12:10 to 2:00 pm.
• He had plenty of wet diapers and even a poppy one.
• He brushed his teeth.

Do I still worry about my kids? Sure, but not so much anymore. How could I not be happy with a daycare provider that watches my child feed a dolly and then tells me about this little bit of sweetness? My children love their “school”. They give hugs hello and kisses goodbye. I have such gratitude for these kind and generous souls who love my children and keep them safe, so that I may go and keep other children safe. Trust your instincts and give each person, including yourself, the dignity of making their own choice. I’m happy with mine.

Sheila Cason, MD

How to Cope with the Mess

Create Free Time

I had a task today. Besides the other numerous, admittedly more important, daily tasks that I needed to accomplish, I had to finish my book-club book. I’m surprised that it took me until now to finish reading it. I’m generally a fast reader and usually stuffed in the empty pockets of time, is a little “me” and my book. Well at least that’s the way it used to be. Before I was a “Mommy”, “Wife” and “Doctor”, I was a little girl who insisted on reading by the nightlight of her clock radio. It seems that because there wasn’t enough time during daylight hours to get in all that glorious reading, I am willing to exchange sleep for stories.

But as I got older, responsibility slowly crept in. Reading for pleasure slunk out just as slowly, and I never really noticed that they swapped places. One day I just woke up and it was different. My free time was about cleaning, cooking and mothering, and my professional life was about doctoring and writing. Not a lot of reading for fun was going on here! That is until book clubs entered my life! I love a good book club. I’m not talking about the book clubs organized on TV but the real personal get together kind. You know, the “talk about your life and kids and did anyone really read the book?” kind of book clubs! I’m in a new one now, but it’ll have to do magic tricks to beat the last one. We would meet over lunch and there was always a good book and raucous, bawdy laughter with a glass of red wine thrown in to step it up a notch! It saved me.

So in anticipation of book club tonight, I awoke at 4:30am and plotted gleefully how I was to accomplish this task. I told myself it was rude to show up at book club having not read the book – by the way, I’ve done this before and no one seemed to care. Once I said that, I now had an obligation to other people and (imagine this) space opened up and the book got read! Hmmph. I had to create free time. Free time is there, the trick is to find it. It’s there for you too. It may be lurking under the pile of clothing and dirty dishes but it’s there.

In my case I found free time on the way to work. I pulled off the road in an empty parking lot. I only had about 30 minutes but there I sat on a little slab of concrete, the ocean filling my entire view and I read. I leaned back in my seat, opened the door and felt the humid breeze. I pushed from my mind the wash sitting in the washing machine and the busy morning clinic about to commence. I allowed myself that which I would give freely to others: free time, to enjoy. I once again was a little girl, sitting in my pocket of time.

Sheila Cason, MD

Teach Your Child the Right Way to Tie their Shoelaces

Did you know there are 17 ways to tie a shoelace? Me neither. But I was fascinated by this little bit of information. I’ve been trying to teach my 5 year old the “standard shoelace method” but I’ve decided to change to the "bunny ear method” because it’s easier. In my quest for more information, I stumbled across Ian’s Shoelace Site and was fascinated to learn there is an entire website designated to shoelaces! As I was perusing the site this little piece of information popped out and changed my whole world.

Kids find it easier to learn this "Two Loop Shoelace Knot"(aka Bunny Ear method) because it's really the same as tying the starting knot except that the ends are formed into loops. However, if the loops are tied into a bow in exactly the same way as the loose ends were tied into a starting knot, the result will be an un-balanced "Granny Knot", which comes undone more easily. In other words, if you tie your starting knot by wrapping the left end over the right end and through, then tie this finishing bow by also wrapping the left loop over the right loop and through, you'll invariably find that your shoelaces keep coming undone.

He goes on to say more about the “Granny Knot”

1. It's caused when the starting knot & finishing bow don't "balance" each other.

2. It can be spotted by the tendency of the bow to sit crooked (ie. heel to toe).

3. It's fixed by reversing one stage of the knot, most easily the starting knot.

Huh?

Now I don’t do the bunny ear method, I just do the standard shoelace knot BUT my shoelaces are always coming undone! Even with double knotting. So I thought to myself, “Have I been tying my shoes wrong my entire life?” Sure enough, I glanced back at my running shoe sitting on the floor and plain as day was my abnormal knot. It was sweetly pointing north and south instead of east and west.

It seems that “Shoelace knots are usually tied in two stages: A Starting Knot followed by a Finishing Bow. Each of these stages "twists" the shoelaces slightly, so it's important that the two stages be tied in opposite directions in order to cancel out each other's twists.

If you’ve been tying your shoelaces wrong, just remember you were either taught wrong or you interpreted it wrongly at the tender age of 5 or 6. Now that you know better, you can teach your child the correct way! This little rhyme should help.

Right over left, left over right,
Makes a knot both tidy and tight.

Now having said that, I did succeed in teaching my girl how to tie her shoelaces but she wouldn’t reverse the way in which she did the starting knot or the finishing knot. All her knots were “Granny Knots”! When I mentioned this, she fell out laughing and giggled for a good fifteen minutes. Every time she got quiet it just bubbled up out of her. “Granny knot! Ha ha ha!” It seems that it doesn’t bother her as much as it did me!

Sheila Cason, MD

The Highest Appreciation

Today, for the first time in weeks, I felt relaxed. I was at Ritidian Beach in the northern tip of Guam. It’s a quiet secluded area and a perfect spot to unwind.

I’m a doer and if I don’t have a lot of busywork, well that’s no problem, I’ll jump in and create some. I’ve definitely been doing that. I’ve been so thankful for my extra time, that I’ve been slowly filling it up so that everything important to me is squeezed to the side and then I’m just as busy as before.

It can be difficult to stop.

As I took some deep breaths, I focused on the sand’s grainy texture, the cool water and the warm sun. JFK once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” It’s a hard task for a parent to remember, but one that will ultimately give us great joy.

Happy Thanksgiving

What I’m thankful for…

• Healthy children
• End of the day where have you been hugs and unsolicited I love yous
• Soft warm rain
• Little tree frogs and charming geckos
• Strong hearts and open minds
• Sweet smiles and friendly faces
• Brave soldiers
• Fearless families
• New friends and safe places

Sheila Cason, MD

How you know if your everything bag is big enough

Thanksgiving and Food Safety

Well it’s a couple days before Thanksgiving and now I’m starting to panic. Until now it was a dull roar in the background of everyday daily life. Now it’s so loud I can’t help but notice it. You think I’d be looking forward to this; I love to cook and entertain. But the thought of preparing the turkey is a little too much to handle right now.

It’s been a very long time since I cooked a turkey so I’ve reviewed all the dos and don’ts. If you’ll be cooking a turkey, take the time to review the CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. They go through the four main safety issues of cooking a turkey which includes thawing, preparing, stuffing, and cooking to adequate temperature. Once the turkey is taken care of you can turn to the The Food Network for other menu ideas.

I’m off to go get some help.

Happy cooking!

Sheila Cason, MD

Pain in Children - How to Cope with Painful Procedures

My oldest has an ulcer in her mouth. It’s her first and she’s been crying over the pain. I’m at a lost. I don’t like pain but I’ll normally just buck up and take it. However I certainly don’t expect a child to do this. Every child experiences pain differently and will need to be managed according to their differences. In researching pain in children, I ran across a great article discussing painful procedures in children. As a pediatrician and mom this is a phenomenal find! I jumped up, printed it and have been carrying it around waiting to read it in my spare moments of time. Well I read it. Here’s what I found.

In 2005 the Annals of Emergency Medicine published an article titled Pediatric Procedural Pain. In the paper they reviewed what we now know about pain and gave specific suggestions to help kids cope with painful procedures. It stated that “Pain is always subjective. Each individual learns the application of the word through experiences related to injury in early life.” This argues for reducing painful procedures as much as possible.

They listed numerous non pharmacological interventions that can be used to reduce pain and distress with procedures. Below are some highlights.

1. Distraction: For an Infant use a pacifier, bubbles, and toys. For a toddler use bubbles, songs, and toys. For school age use video games, search for objects in pictures, stories, jokes, and counting. For adolescents use music, video games, and conversation

2. Deep Breathing: Have the child take deep breaths rhythmically.

3. Blowing: Take a deep breath and “blow away the pain”.

4. Suggestion: Put on a “magic glove” or “magic cream” that doesn’t allow pain.

5. Superhero imagery: Have the child pretend they are a superhero and on a mission.

6. Guided imagery: Help the child imagine a special place that they are visiting.

7. Rewards: Tell the child there are rewards, such as stickers, available.

8. Spot pressure or counter irritation: Rub the surrounding skin or provide spot pressure to the surrounding skin.

9. Sweet solution, pacifier, breastfeeding: Useful for infants of minor procedures.

Remembering that pain is subjective can help with the frustration over a child who seems to be over reacting to the pain. Maybe they are more sensitive than others to painful stimuli. Sometimes there’s not a lot you can do to avoid the painful procedure. However there are ways that you can help them cope and manage the pain better. I hope I gave you some good ideas.

Sheila Cason, MD

The Three Year Old Blues

“Three-year-olds can better manage their emotions, but may still fall apart under stress.”

This said so eloquently by PBS Parents.

*sigh*

That’s my girl all right. She’s a bundle of light and energy. At times it is all I can do to stop myself from hugging and kissing her but when she’s upset and whiny - which is a lot of the time, it can get a little much. The slightest insult whether it be a teeny scrape or baby push by her brother is enough to send her over the edge. I don’t know who is having a harder time with it, me or her.

She’s willful and determined, sensitive and engaging. We were on our way to swim lessons when she wiped out on the slick sidewalk. Poor thing just lay there on the concrete drowning in tears. After that she refused to go in the pool. I tried the soft- “Come on honey. It’ll be okay”- approach. Didn’t work. I tried the hard – “You better get yourself over to the pool”- approach. No surprise that didn’t work either. Finally I just let her wait it out and she was coaxed in – by the swim teacher. Drove me crazy.

Just when I think she’s a big girl and ought to know better, she reminds me otherwise. I have been known to find her crawled up in bed, clutching her blankie and sucking her thumb. My heart goes all soft and reminds me that there is no one else like her. I need to cut her some slack.

Sheila Cason, MD

How I use public restrooms on shopping trips with the kids.

Sometimes just going to the restroom is a challenge. But not when you squeeze them in the same cart and bring the cart with you!

Sheila Cason, MD

Inappropriate Touching - Is it Child Sexual Abuse?

Question for Mommy MD:

Dear Dr. Cason,

I’m not sure where to start. I have a 4 year old little girl who pulled her cousins pants down a couple of days ago. I marked it as just curiosity and took the chance to open the floor for questions.

Then today I caught her with the same cousin who is two. He had his pants down and was lying on the floor; she had her mouth on him. I’m so full of mixed feelings and have asked her all kinds of questions. She said no one has done this to her or told her to do it. I can’t imagine when it could have happened but I do plan on having her checked.

But my question is:

Is it possible that this is still curiosity or is this a symptom of being molested and how can I get her to tell me?

I am a survivor of rape that took place for 13 years. I have always been protective, and I just don’t understand how it would have gotten pass me if someone had done this to her. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I’m sorry for your pain at this difficult time. It must be hard to suspect something and yet not know what the future holds for your child and your life. We all want to feel that our children
are 100% safe and when something threatens that, it’s devastating.

I can tell you that I am suspicious. Children are very curious at this age and it can be difficult to tell when a child is merely playing or actually imitating something she’s seen or been required to perform. But it sounds concerning enough that you must go see your pediatrician and they will refer you to the nearest facility that is trained to investigate such cases. They will help you to make sense of her actions. There is no way to “make” her tell you. In fact I would avoid overly questioning her. As pediatricians, we are trained as well to not overly question a young child. You want her response to be authentic and not merely a regurgitation of comments that are made to her. Your local Child Protective Services (CPS) is specialized in the interview process. Yes there is a specific way you must ask the question as to avoid leading the child or influencing her response. For this reason I leave the interview for the experts.

For yourself, as a survivor of sexual abuse there are many issues that you will need to work through. I hope that this has happened for you already. If not please seek counseling. There are wonderful individuals that can help you heal. Also know that you can be your child’s biggest advocate. You’ll have to balance your emotions in this transitional time until you find the answers. But trust the experts and talk with your pediatrician.

I’m glad that you took this opportunity to discuss and answer deeper questions with your child. No matter how this turns out, you’ll need to continually do this with her. I’ve had a lot of people, particularly women with a history of molestation, feel uncomfortable bringing up “private” issues. As parents we need to get over this. A penis is a penis, and a vagina is a vagina. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the words or the parts of the body. But they are private and kids need to be taught what’s appropriate. This way they can recognize when something doesn’t
seem right and tell an adult that they trust.

Please see my previous articles on “Playing House” and “Child Sexual Abuse”. I have listed signs that may be present when someone is sexually abused. I wish you and your little girl well. Please don’t hesitate to ask any further questions.

For more information on child sexual abuse or other forms of abuse, write to:

The National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse
PO Box 2866
Chicago, IL 60690.

Sheila Cason, MD

Abdominal Pain in Kids - Constipation

Standing at the exam table I bent down to feel her belly. She’d been having tummy pain so my routine question just rolled off my tongue. When was the last time you had a bowel movement? She looked at her daddy with a crinkled brow. He whispered: number two? Charmed I also then bent and whispered, “When did you last go number two?” Pleased -her doctor knew her code- she answered and we went on with exam. Turns out they have:

“A number one”- Check. (We all know this right?)
“A number two” - Check (See above)
“A number three”- Uh
“A number four”- Hmm
“A number five”- My own brow crinkled.

A little girl voice piped up and explained her family-speak:
“Number three” wipe – Ah of course. Front to back girls!
“Number four” wash hands- Imperative.
“Number five” dry your hands- Very nice. Follow with lotion too

Cute family. This made my day. I see this over and over in my clinic. Constipation is the number one reason for abdominal pain in kids. Check with your doctor first and see my articles on constipation in kids.

Sheila Cason, MD

Grocery Day

Ahhh! The week is over and today I headed to the grocery store… alone. Weird. I meandered through the aisles and prepared meals as I went along. Pure bliss. I did sort of miss the kids though. They usually run up and down the aisle helping me put everything in the basket.

It’s always a balance to find what’s good to eat and what’s good for the kids. I’m not a strict “by the book” mom even though I know better. I try to limit high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils but have been known to stock Oreos in my cupboards and Gold Fish in my purse. We were on a kick of Fruit Loops for a while but it’s tapered off, mostly because I just stopped giving them to the kids. We’re still struggling with the candy. Really it’s going out in the trash soon. Just as soon as I stop eating it!

You can teach your child to about the colors of rainbow with this cute Sesame Street song. Soon they’ll know that the colors refer to fruits and vegetables and not skittles and M&Ms!

Sheila Cason, MD

Parenting Blog Finalists

Ok, have you gone through the list of finalists that I put out last week on Parenting Blogs? I’ve reviewed them and have to say honestly all the blogs nominated in the parenting blog for the 2007 Weblog Awards were inspiring. They all were a little different and just when I thought I wouldn’t like the blog – I started to read and was won over. Parenting with humility... brilliant. I need to take some time off just to grab some coffee, laugh and enjoy. It’s exactly what a parent needs, comic relief and a little understanding. Please take a moment and peruse at your leisure. You’ve got another day to vote if you haven’t had a chance. I won’t bias you with my selection. But feel free to tell me who made your list.

Sheila Cason, MD

The Flu in Children

Panicking parents crowd my office each day. Complications from the flu was the cause of a father and son death recently here in Guam and it’s brought a heightened awareness of the flu. This isn’t entirely uncommon but scary none the less. I try to watch my children closely, and give them plenty of fluids and rest. But it can be hard.

Just this past weekend, my 5 year old was sick and resisting all efforts to nap. The other two were sick as well but responded well to separating and mild threats of punishment if they should even think of getting up. But my big girl just rolled around on my bed for two hours and approached me endlessly asking when it was time to get up. I finally caved in and let her settle down on the couch. Memories of sick days gone by came back as I tucked her blankie around her, brought her snacks and let her *gasp* watch Sponge Bob Square Pants on TV. At least she’s sort of resting; TV doesn’t use that many brain cells.

*Remember even if you have gone to the doctor and they diagnose your child with the “flu” you may need to go back for another examination particularly if:

1. They have had more than 3-4 days of fever.
2. Have focal complaints such as ear pain or chest pain.
3. Show signs of respiratory distress.
4. Look very ill or lethargic even if their fever appears to be lower.
5. Has asthma or another chronic condition such as heart disease.

See my previous post on when to take your child to the doctor. May you and your child be well during this time of year, Give your child the flu shot or if your baby is less than 6 months of age and can’t get their flu shot, go get your flu shot!

Sheila Cason, MD

Mommy MD

I really need to stop referring to myself in the third person. Come here honey and let “Mommy” help you. Bring it to “Mommy” please. “Mommy’s busy, wait a second please.” What started out as a helpful reminder that I was indeed their mother – and that I was perfectly okay, actually delighted with them calling me mommy- has turned into a habit. My kids don’t seem to mind or notice that this is bizarre. No family member has taken me aside. But it’s gotten out of hand.

I am a Mommy MD. But I try to keep my mothering out of the exam room. I know their parent is there and very adept at figuring out their child. I don’t try to usurp the parent’s authority. I don’t tell my patients to straighten up and stop whining and crying, and I let their parents soothe their hurt feelings. But lately I’ve had to control the impulse to say “Okay honey, now open your mouth so mommy can see”.

I think I’ve been working too much. I miss my kids.

Sheila Cason, MD

Toddler Tantrums

Every year there’s the inevitable question of just when I should throw out the Halloween candy? Our basket of candy is an amalgam of excess candy I bought and my three little critters’ candy. It’s easier just to throw it all in one pile and let ‘em duke it out. I’m sure in the years to come that’ll be disastrous but it seems to be working right now. Sort of.

Last year the baby was a baby and sweet enough. No candy, of course, passed his lips. Now he’s a pro. He makes the sign for candy to anyone who’ll listen. Tonight he threw a fit and usually I do what any respectful pediatrician and experienced mom does – totally ignore it. I’ve been known to step over kids’ flailing bodies and keep on walking. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. He’s too young to reason with and too little to control himself.

Well, tonight after bath and a good tooth scrubbing he started to reach for his sister’s lollipop. Never a good idea with toddlers- they could fall and impale their little mouth, not to mention I had just got them all clean and it was bedtime. So I pulled it away and oh, did he take exception to that! In fact he started screaming so hard and so long that I was afraid of moving from tantrum, to puke fest and then to bath time all over again. I resorted to a little trick I tell my patients but have never had to use before: I started clapping my hands and yelled for my oldest to start flicking the lights off and on. I’m happy to say it worked like a charm. He paused and started gazing up and around wide eyed and mouth open. In no time he was tucked in bed and down for the night.

If we have a repeat performance tomorrow night, the candy is gone!

Sheila Cason, MD

Parenting Blogs

I’m a newbie. My blogs are just simple rambling about my kids and the practice of pediatrics. I thought pediatrics and motherhood would be easy. Well, not really easy per se, but not this hard. Not “If I curled up and died right now at least I could get some sleep” kind of hard. So nearly every day I write to make sense of it all. I have no prizes to give away, no gossip to dish, no foul language to vent (at least not publicly). I’m not driven by money or fame. That’s good since there is neither at this time. I tell only my story. Oh and a little of my kids’ stories. Just when I’m really tired from seeing patients for 10 hours a day I remind myself of why I like to blog.

1. I like to write. Nothing profound about this; I just like to write. But the grammar stuff is killing me. I like to throw around a lot of commas. They can not all be right. I’m not offended if you correct me. Please correct me!

2. I like to remember. I save a lot of useless stuff just so I can never forget. Drives my husband nuts. The fact that I’m writing and chronicling my memories makes me feel relieved. I know I’ll remember tiny details that’ll make me weep when I’m old and gray…Forget old and gray, I’m weeping now.

3. I like to talk with other parents. I like to peek into their crazy beautiful world. . When I laugh at their antics, I’m suddenly normal. My mommy pressure valve slowly lets it’s air out.

4. It makes me think. I’ve learned gobs about pediatrics and kids just researching all my columns. It takes days to compile some research, others just hours. It’s all good. I’m a better pediatrician and mother because of it.

5. It’s cheap but effective therapy. Between my thoughts, family and girlfriends I’m staying sane one day at a time.

I’m trying to remember why I do this. Is anyone reading? Does it make a difference? Well I’m reading it and it makes a difference to me. So the fact that I didn’t make the finalist selection for The 2007 Weblog Awards isn’t so bad. The bloggers who did make it are phenomenal. I’m humbled. They are articulate and funny and sad. They make me want to read more and write more. This week I’ll go through the finalists and let you know what I think.

• Antique Mommy http://antiquemommy.com/

• Notes from the Trenches http://www.notesfromthetrenches.com/

• Bub and Pie http://bubandpie.blogspot.com/

• Amalah http://www.amalah.com/

• LookyDaddy http://www.lookydaddy.com/

• Finslippy http://finslippy.typepad.com/

• Hollywood Flakes http://hollywoodflakes.blogspot.com/

• Dad Gone Mad http://www.dadgonemad.com/

• "I think this world is perfect..." http://www.ithinkthisworldisperfect.com/

• Postcards from the Mothership http://danigirl.ca/blog

Sheila Cason, MD

Making More Work for Ourselves

I’m a little startled when people actually admit to ironing their sheets. Actually I’m a little envious, because I figure they must be caught up on everything else if that’s the next thing on their list. But who am I kidding? It’s not the next thing on my list. Ever. You’ll never catch me ironing my sheets or the kids’ clothes. Ok, maybe if they were going to meet the president but thankfully if they ever get the chance they’ll be old enough to do it themselves or old enough not to care.

I guess it’s a personal preference. What is more work to someone is pure enjoyment to another. One time I told someone I like to bake bread and she look at me confused. She was nice enough not to say “Whhhat! Are you crazy!” but instead politely inquired: “Can you not buy any at the store”? That’s what’s called a rhetorical question. Of course I can buy some at the store. I just like to make it. That and cookies and other real food. Call me crazy but eating is a necessity and it’s nice when it tastes good but the sheets? They kind of flatten out when you sleep on them. Right?

I met another mom recently who admitted to making her own clothes and grinding her own grain for her kids. Huh? Wow! That’s some extra time on your hands. But here’s the thing…she looked really busy to me. Maybe she just makes the extra time happen. Kind of like I make the time to write. Right now there are grocery bags all over the kitchen floor status post an early grocery shopping trip with the kids. I tried picking up some stuff when I walked in but the kids are all sleeping - I know! Can you believe it? I think God felt sorry for me.- so I had to prioritize. I have today off and I’m back in the clinic tomorrow and all next week. Sooo… I have to write now. I set the timer for 15 minutes and write for that long. Then I jump up and put stuff away for 15 minutes. It’s what works for me since I tend to get side tracked and my whole day fritters away. I know of only one other person that gets this bizarre behavior. She’s my twin. Hmmm…genetics! It’s a strong tie but not that strong because if I’m recalling correctly she actually irons her sheets. Which as I said before, I just do not get!

Sheila Cason, MD

Halloween

I was never a real Halloween lover until I had kids, and now I’m completely won over. I’m still getting the hang of it though. The house is still only partly decorated, and we’ve never carved a pumpkin. I’ve saved magazines to get great ideas for the holiday but they collect dust instead.

Last night we watched all the neighborhood kids dress up. Their sweet faces and adorable costumes were delightful. It took me back to when I watched my oldest discover this unique evening. She looked at me as if to say: “Okay let me get this straight. I dress up in whatever fantasy character I want? I go out at night instead of the usual dinner, bath, bed. I go to people’s houses and strangers give us candy… for free. And then I go home…and get to eat it”.

Once she was sure this was supposed to happen, she trotted off and has been a fan ever since. The baby is still a little wary and wore a confused look the entire evening. No kidding, he didn’t smile once. He kept crinkling his eyes as he analyzed everyone. He wouldn’t even hold his bag. I remember when my nephew was young he would try to put his candy back into the bowls that were offered out to him!

With my oldest daughter’s birthday near Halloween, we have gotten into the swing of things. I have gradually collected paraphernalia and every year Halloween gets better. I really love it. It’s a deliciously sweet way for the kids to have some fun. Next year we’ll try pumpkin carving. I’m inspired to create one like my friend’s “Boo” pumpkin.

Sheila Cason, MD