I went to Walgreen’s last night to get an Amoxicillin prescription filled for the Circus.
I handed the pharmacy tech the prescription and she asked if the Circus liked the bubble gum flavor in that medicine.
I had to think for a second.
I thought, I should know the answer to this, right?! Come on, Jenna. Think.
And then the answer was finally clear as day.
“I don’t know.”
The tech gave me a puzzled look. One of those, you’re her mom, you should know whether or not she likes bubble gum flavored Amoxicillin.
I mean, I’ve had to use all my extremities sans one hand to hold her down on multiple occasions just so I can squirt a syringe of grape flavored children’s Tylenol in her mouth, while at the same time asking the good lord to please let her swallow it and not spit it right back in my face and hair, but that’s it. Amoxicillin was a new rodeo for me and the kid. Who knows if she likes the bubble gum flavor or not?
Seeing as how the tech was still a little questionable about this, I shrugged my shoulders and said, “She’s never had it before or any other antibiotic in her life until this point. I don’t know if she’ll like it or not.”
Then a wide smile spread across that tech’s face, her eyes got big and she looked at me like I was the freakin’ mom of the year. She said, “How did you do that?! You must have breast-fed her.”
On the contrary, my friend.
While I have nothing against moms who breastfeed, that was not anything I had the time for.
“No, ma’am. She’s never had a drop of breast milk.”
“Well, how did you do it then?”
I thought about that on the ride home. This is what I came up with:
Basically, I did everything you’re not supposed to do.
I never sterilized a thing of hers. She played with dog poop a few times. She doesn’t drink enough milk or eat enough fruit and vegetables. I don’t make her wash her hands anywhere near enough and Lord knows, she doesn’t get regular baths. On top of all that, her living conditions consist of dirty floors and dusty furniture. And sometimes we pull dirty clothes out of the hamper to wear.
But if that’s the price I have to pay for antibiotics only once every five years, then a dirty, smelly child she’ll be.
Cheers to all us moms who set the rule book on fire.
More Freak Show Fridays and Stories Are Here.
Brocanteuserose says
Hahaha oh my yes! I’m sure you might get some flack for this post. So I want to be the first to say, yes, yes, YES!!! oh and congratulations on being a great mom! We all need to hear it more often. 🙂 P.s. Sometime we wear dirty clothes that haven’t even made it to the hamper yet. Cause obviously I’m awesome at time management.
Jenna says
Thanks, girl! Oh we wear dirty clothes all the time!! haha!
Kathy Grey says
Oh, you made laugh out loud! Sitting here watching the news, read your post, laughed and changed the channel. Thank you! ?
Jenna says
Happy to be of service, Kathy!
JENNIFER says
Sounds familiar. My two boys got raised the same way and they still hardly ever get sick. I remember my oldest being excited to be getting an award at the last of middle school. He was actually mad when it turned out to be an award for perfect attendance for the entire three years of middle school!
Jenna says
hahahahaha!!! How funny is that?!
Marcia says
I’m smiling out loud reading this post! And the picture is perfect!
Jenna says
Thanks, Marcia!
Rebecca M Kerwick says
THE Best!
Jenna says
Thanks, Rebecca!
Tammy says
LMAO! She doesn’t need milk any more, she’s got teeth. Humans lived for thousands of years without sterilizing anything. Hell, my mother didn’t even give me baby food, I just gnawed on whatever they were eating, cut down to appropriate size. Usually.
Keep up the good work!
Jenna says
Will do, Tammy! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Essie says
My kind of mom! Keep doin’ what you do!
Jenna says
I will, Essie! Thanks!
designing vibes says
haha! I am right there with you, Jenna. Modern society loves to over-complicate parenting. I am totally old-school in my approach – lots of dirt, no sterilization and formula-fed all the way( and my kids have turned out fine so far).
Keep on rockin’, mama!
Much Love,
Erica
Jenna says
Sending you some virtual fist bumps, Erica! 😉
Julie says
Crazy Girl!!! This made me laugh so hard!!! My kids were super healthy too – and I just let them be ALL the boy they wanted to be! I did breast feed them for a few weeks each (mainly because it was easier for those middle of the night feedings, LOL!!) No sterilizing – thats just crazy!! dirty hands, playing outside, sweaty, stinky kids! I did make them take baths, but together so I could have a few moments of peace! so yes, I agree – the key to a healthy kid is to let them BE kids…..
p.s. What rulebook???!
Jenna says
So true, Julie! Just let them be kids! And I would have thrown them all in a bath together so I could have peace too!
Julie says
I DID/DO breastfeed (I just had my third) and we’ve never had antibiotics either – so yeah, it is all about dirty kids. Heck farm kids have the least allergies etc, proven by fancy studies 😉 why? Animals! Dirt! Poop! And probably hard work too ?
Jenna says
Preach, sister! Stay dirty, kids!
Alex Forbes says
Amen to that! I grew up on a farm and I have a similar outlook to your good self. Only problem is I now live in a city with “townies” who do not appreciate my ethos. I think we’re the ones with the right idea though! My kids are rarely sick and that says it all doesn’t it?! Hooray for a bit of muck ?????
Jenna says
Hooray indeed! And I can’t tell you how often I’ve rolled my eyes at a few of those “townies” you’re talking about! 😉
Patty says
Yes but did she like the bubblegum flavor??????
Jenna says
She didn’t!! And it totally blew my mind because that was the best tasting medicine ever as a kid!
Carol says
Love it!! You rock!
Protecting does not mean keeping them in a glass bubble.
Jenna says
Thanks, girl!
Stephanie S. says
You are so great and truthful. I just had to laugh. If I kiss my dogs I believe I am not going to die. So very true. Being exposed to things helps us build up our system. Love it.
Jenna says
Exactly!
Dad says
For you it was Bubble Gum flavour. If that was not available Cherry or Grape were the go-to flavours.
Jenna says
Well, she wasn’t a fan of the bubble gum flavor! haha!
Gina Gutierrez says
This will be the 3rd time I m posting. My computer is acting up! But anyways I once gave my son soda in his bottle because I needed some sleep. I know I know!! He’s alive
Jenna says
Hey, you do what you gotta do, right?!
Kim Sapp says
Thank you for being honest, Jenna. I, too, believe a little dirt is good for children. How else are they going to build up their immune system?
Jenna says
Exactly! Glad you agree!
Susan the Farm Quilter says
Actually, the more germs Circus is exposed to, the better her immune system will be at handling, well, germs! The experts say that raising a kid with animals (or on a farm) will decrease the possibility of them having allergies and being healthier that way. Good for you! I never sterilized anything for my girls either, but we did lots of antibiotics for ear infections and strep throat (until the tonsils of #1 child were removed). Burn that rule book, girl!!
Jenna says
Consider it burned, Susan! haha! 😉
Susan the Farm Quilter says
http://www.countyroad407.com/diy-chicken-wire-cloche/?utm_source=hometalk
Just saw this and thought of you and the farmhouse!!
Jenna says
haha! I’m sure there’s some chicken wire lurking around there somewhere!
sandra p says
Love this!!!
Jenna says
Thanks, Sandra!
Leah says
This is my favorite thing you’ve written. Love it!
Jenna says
haha! Thanks, girl!
Pam S says
“Basically, I did everything you’re not supposed to do. ” ~Sounds like a pretty good plan to me! 🙂
Jenna says
So far, so good! 😉
Betty says
I am glad to hear the Circus is probably feeling better. Maybe you don’t give yourself enough credit. I am sure you always have her best interests at heart. It is always difficult when you have a sick little one. Happy day to you and Circus.
Jenna says
Thanks, Betty!
Sharon H says
hahaha, that’s too funny! But a lot of truth in the fact that she had an immediate, albeit short term immunity from you to begin with, and then by being introduced to all kinds of pathogens early on, she has developed her own immunological resistance. Good job, Mom of the Year!
Jenna says
Thanks, Sharon!
Angela T Jackson says
As a mom of 2, a preschool teacher.and someone who has a college degree in early childhood education. I say you go girl!!! Good for you!!! Sometimes we focus on not letting are kids just being kids and letting them have dirt under there fingernails (which by the way my 16 year old son has everyday). I love your blog.
Angela
Jenna says
Thanks, Angela! I agree- let them be kids!
Brigitte says
You’re #winning! There’s WAY too much germ-phobia going on these days and it’s detrimental to our immune systems. I’m willing to bet (altho I’m too lazy to do the research, lol!) that there’s an alarming rise in auto-immune disorders, not to mention just all around “unwellness;” food allergies, more common cold and flu, etc. Just mho, I hope someone’s willing to debunk me because it’s scary and sad.
Jenna says
I totally agree, Brigitte! I just don’t remember so many people having all these food allergies and allergies in general when I was a kid!
Michelle says
I know that my cat does not like her banana flavored antibiotics. As for the kids, it’s anyone’s guess. I’ve lost score of who has and hasn’t had antibiotics at this point, but they’ve been few and far between.