Side Effects

Zach is back to mostly healthy. Diagnosis was what we anticipated- massive teething (4 bottom molars at once), bug of some sort. The fever went away after 24 hours and he was back to his fun, happy, playful self by Friday morning. Grandma stayed until the end of the day Friday and she had a blast with the kids. But there are side effects to the illness of a child when you have more than one child. Teagan has been a little... neglected. At least in her perspective. And her attitude has shown it. She stayed home with Grandma and Zach on Monday but it was a disaster. Tuesday she went to Miss Lisa's. She had a good day... but was very sad to leave her brother at home. Weds, both kids went to Lisa's. Thursday was the Day of the Fever so Zach stayed home and Teagan went to Lisa's- again, very sad to leave her little brother, to not be with him at the doctor's office, etc. Horrible bedtime Weds night after church. Lost the opportunity to go with me to music team Thurs night. Apparently had a horrible bedtime for Grandma on Thurs night. An hour of screaming and crying- just like Weds. So a new deal was struck. I knew she needed some one on one time, some attention. She could stay home with Grandma and Zach on Friday. But if her behavior became difficult, she could go to Lisa's. If she had a great day- cooperating, listening, helping- she would have a special date with Mommy on Saturday. "Teagan, you have the opportunity to stay home with Grandma today. It is your responsibility to make good choices- being cooperative, helpful, and a good listener... taking a nice nap at naptime... If you choose to be difficult with Grandma, you are choosing to go to Lisa's for the rest of the day. You also have the opportunity to earn a very special date with Mommy on Saturday. It is your responsibility to show us that you can make good choices all day long- through bedtime. Making good choices is choosing to have a date with Mommy!" And today? Saturday? We have a date. I'm taking her to Monkey Joe's, then to lunch, and then shopping for Daddy's Father's Day gift from the kids. It's going to be a great day!