Monday, 24 April 2017

Springtime spots

It's chickenpox season again.
Spent a really nice day looking after Daisy the dudette, who is suffering with the dreaded chickenpox.
Although she did not seem to be suffering at all today, just a little itchy rubbing herself against the furniture or me, like Baloo the bear in jungle book.
When I ran the nursery we used to send children home regularly as children would come in with no spots and by mid morning be covered and there was always the question when can they come back, when they are no longer contagious. However there are always varying thoughts on this, when the spots scab over or have all gone. Are they contagious when incubating them.
It seems to be a very bad strain this year. When I met up with the old gang from the children's centre those with grandchildren all said how badly theirs had been. I think poor little Dexter had it really badly even having some of the spots getting infected.
Recently on social media I read people's views for and against vaccination, one actually saying she had not been vaccinated and had been the healthiest in her class at school, all I can say on that is she was just very lucky.
Chickenpox is horrid, how many of us show the scars from when we had them. I wish the NHS would just add it to the immunisation schedule, I know it's because of funding. I know you can pay for the vaccine but not everyone can afford it.
 Some children get it more than once and adults develop shingles. People with low immune systems are at risk of all sorts of things if they get it.
I used Epsom salts in the bath water when mine was small. Bathing in tepid water and a couple of spoonfuls of bircarbonate of soda reduces the itching temporarily, as does good old calamine lotion. Lots of fluids.
Not forgetting a large g&t for mummies after a couple of sleepless nights and days of  cabin fever.

Thursday, 30 March 2017

Technology is a wonderful thing........

Hang on I'm not saying that I am any good at it but I am getting better. I do listen to the family when they say stop asking to be shown just try it.
I love it because you can share precious moments. One of the best was the other afternoon whilst I was in the office. Phone rings for FaceTime so I answer, ok ok  I know I should be working not answering personal calls, Tats will tell everyone I can't ignore my phone, I think it's common among my generation.
Anyway back to the call I answer and as soon as a face appears on the screen a little person in a very loud voice and a grin from ear to ear informs me and everyone else in the office "NANA I DID A POO, I hasten to add that it was in the loo(toilet training time).
 Every grandchild moment is precious whatever it is, I think the rest of the office thought so to. Thank goodness Dexter is not old enough to be embarrassed that everyone heard him. It made me think about the dreaded toilet training. Its not easy, its messy and very frustrating. I always say the best way to deal with it is keep calm, easier said than done. Its just another inbuilt emotional weapon children have.
Keep the memories 💩😀

Thursday, 16 March 2017

A little introduction

So I thought about this blogging thing, then thought maybe I was coming a little late to the party. I'm a bit of a technophobe and needed the help of family to set this up. Won't be long before Dexter the dude helps his nana with everything technical. As you can see I waffle and my brain runs way ahead of me. Back to the thinking about a blog, I thought it would be fun to share tips and thoughts of a privileged grandparent. My Grandma shared her tips with me, I remember her telling me yours shoes and handbag should always match and keep your shoes in the boxes they came in to keep them free of dust. Not sure many of her tips would be any use to Dex and Daisy.
 I love being part of Dexter and Daisy's lives and want to support their mummy and daddy shaping their future, whilst enjoying all their adventures along the way.
Whatever those adventure may be, trips to the seaside (especially good in Whitby in the rain), trips to the farm (Better when it's dry). Making pretend cups of tea at the play park in the forest.
TIp one; keep a list of what's on and where to go locally and make a note of what's good on blue sky days and grey days.  I'm keeping the upstairs indoor picnic quiet until their bigger, it would be just to messy for now.
I think that's enough waffle for now.

My nana knows best xxxx