I'm in a couple of Mom's Groups on Facebook. I learn some things, give my two cents when I think I have something of value to add, and spend a lot of time chuckling. A mom asked how often people bathe their one month olds (which then turned into kids in general). I'm amazed at the responses:
- Some said every other day.
- Many said two times a week.
- One said when they start smelling.
I, and only a couple of other Moms, bathe my kid every single day. We are definitely in the minority... no doubt about it! I started giving Sidekick a bath at four weeks old, which is when he got on a schedule and slept from 7:00 PM-3:00 AM (give or take) and then back to sleep until 7:00 AM. It became part of his bedtime routine and if a bath contributed to his success, then I was sticking to it. As he got older, he didn't need a bath to go to sleep (he's always been a great sleeper), but a bath killed time, especially in the winter. There were more times than not when he was in the bath for at least an hour. The nights when he was so crabby and I had to somehow make it to bedtime, I put him in the bath. The nights when I was exhausted and needed an easy way to entertain him, I put him in the bath.
I've always felt like he was dirty after being in school all day long and so sweaty after playing outside. That's kind of gross. Many "experts" say not giving them a bath every day is good for their immune system. Sidekick has always been a healthy boy (with the exception a bad case of hand, foot, and mouth and rotovirus), so I debunked that theory. He rarely even gets a cold. I've always thought that if I like being clean before I go to bed, he must also. Many times he takes a shower with me or is in the bath for a quick scrub down, but nonetheless, he goes to bed clean seven nights a week (or on the rare occasion, six nights a week).
Apparently, I am the odd Mom out when it comes to this, but I have to admit, I'm pretty grossed out by the two times a week bath with a toddler. I cannot imagine if I only showered two times a week. Eeewww... Sorry if I offended anyone. I'm not a clean freak, but I sure like to be clean and I want my son to be also. There's nothing better than reading books in Sidekick's bed with the sweet smell of a clean boy. Best scent ever.
Do you have Facebook? Would you be willing to vote for Sidekick's picture? I took him to get pictures done at Picture People, and the photographer did such a great job, that I entered one of his photos in their contest. I'd appreciate the vote! Please click on the link and then click "Vote" at the top left of the screen. It's that easy!
Help Sidekick Win!
Thanks so much!!!!
Holy crap! Being "sick" with a kid is really a challenge. Last Friday, something happened to my neck or my head or something. I had limited movement of my neck and what I call "electric currents" going down my neck and into my shoulders. Ouch! What's strange is that I had something like this about 20 years ago in my lower back with the "electric currents" going down my legs. After doctors couldn't figure out what was going on, I was diagnosed with some type of virus that settled in my spinal cord. I'm thinking I had something like that again.
Sidekick gets to watch one show a day and that's before bedtime. He spent most of Saturday in front of the TV while I slept on the sofa next to him. He was so sweet to me and kept telling me that he'll take care of me. He's so compassionate and will make an amazing husband one day.
I was in so much pain that I went into my linen close to see what medicines I had. Armed with a muscle relaxer, pain pill, and anti-inflammatory meds all taken pretty much at the same time, nothing helped with the pain. Nothing! How is that possible? I felt like a horrible Mom whose son was neglected, but I knew he was content and okay with a broken Momma laying next to him. I'm not a person who sleeps more than about 7 hours of sleep a night, but between Friday night and Saturday day, I slept about 13 hours and then fell asleep Saturday at 8:00. I knew something was definitely wrong with me.
Of course this week I had a grueling week with work and couldn't let the pain get the best of me, so I muddled through all of my appointments and finally started feeling better on Wednesday. I was thrilled that today I could go for a run and felt pretty good.
Prior to this happening, I had just gotten Sidekick's three years pictures done and thought I'd share. This boy is three going on 30. I can envision what he'll look like 27 years from now.
