Mean Monster Mommy Moments

The past two weeks have been full of Mean Mommy Monster Moments starting with taking my child to the doctor for a “routine” checkup. Several of these Mean Mommy Monster Moments included when I got to hold down a very strong 10 year old so that labs could be drawn, procedures could be completed, etc. I’ve also had more Mean Mommy Monster Moments when I’ve had to “encourage” this 10 year old to take the disgusting meds or I’d be forced to “help” him take them.

For the most part, he’s been really good about taking his meds, doing his school work, drinking more liquid than I care to measure, emptying his own cath bag and much more. Jaydon has had a rough week this week because he’s had to miss school (another Mean Mommy Monster Moment). He really, truly LOVES school and has been extremely excited when the aide comes to tutor him.

This morning dawned with yet another Mean Mommy Monster Moment. Jaydon woke up to tell me that is hip hurt really bad. He was even walking like an old man, hunched over and shuffling. I'm sure the hip pain came from overcompensating muscles as he limped along. I'm also fairly positive this limping has aggravated the scoliosis in his back. He has had good days and bad days and yesterday, we noticed that he was limping more than usual and seemed to be in pain. When questioned, he’d deny any sort of pain. When he woke up, I herded him toward the shower and helped him get in. He balked and insisted he didn’t need a shower. I’m of the firm belief that a lot of problems can be fixed by spending time relaxing with hot water beating the problems out of your muscles or by sitting in a tub with the hot water (and possibly bubbles) soothing aching muscles with gentle waves.

I almost immediately found one source of pain as the catheter tubing had inched down his leg to the point where it was pulling quite a lot. The tube isn’t fastened with medical tape. We are using CoBand or VetWrap because of the laxatives that are in use. The medical team had decided that this option was the best due to the hygiene issue and I totally agree (suppressing a shudder at the thought of the other way).

Jaydon used up quite a lot of the hot water. After he was dressed, I insisted on him completing the chiropractic exercises even though his hip hurt. **Insert whining, crying, weeping and wailing here *** Again, the Mean Mommy Monster reared its ugly head and had its Moment by saying, "I don’t care if it hurts! You’ll feel better after you’re done!" Wouldn’t you know it? He did feel better and is now walking almost normally through the house. 

I hate having to play the Mean Mommy Monster, but knowing that these Moments are helping my children grow or feel better tend to ease my distain for them. I’m grateful for the times in my life in which I’ve needed to be tough in order to get through them. I’m sure there will be many more such Moments in the months and years to come. I’m thankful that kids forgive so easily and forget – for the most part – that a Mean Mommy Monster resides at our home.