this is the code for the render ad
Wedding Woes

I'm a terrible parent

Last week the girls kept begging us to go outside to play in the snow.  I kept telling them "no", "It's too cold", etc.  They kept at it.

I decided to tell them about what I meant by "too cold" - frostbite and hypothermia and how quickly it could happen in that type of weather (wind chill was in the mid -20s).  I even told them about skin changing color and losing fingers and toes.  I DID let them know that those were extreme cases and that it happened when you are outside for a really long time.

Well they only absorbed some of what I said.  They talk about people getting fingers cut off in the hospital daily.  This morning, DD2 had a meltdown because she realized she didn't have her gloves on as she was getting buckled in the van (which was in the garage, warmed up).  I felt so guilty as she sobbed about not wanting her fingers to turn yellow.

So now I need to fix their fears.  I am glad that they're remembering their own gloves and hats, but I don't want them to be terrified that they're going to lose their fingers and toes.

image

Re: I'm a terrible parent

  • You're not a terrible parent for telling them about this. You're a terrible parent if you let them find out about this stuff first hand.

    You know how you can reassure them. Just remind them to dress warmly and tell them that you and your H won't let them have their fingers and toes change color or fall off.
  • I'm with Dixie.  It's just a reiteration that no matter what you say only 40% gets absorbed. You tried, that is your job.
  • We've been having discussions about fingers falling off.  I just worry what preschool thinks.
  • You're not a terrible parent for telling them about this. You're a terrible parent if you let them find out about this stuff first hand.

    You know how you can reassure them. Just remind them to dress warmly and tell them that you and your H won't let them have their fingers and toes change color or fall off.
    What Dixie said. 

    Wolverine and I had an entire conversation about her NICU stay and having a needle in her head ( complete with pictures, at her request). She still talks about it at random - "when i was a baby, I had a big needle in my head." It gets a lot of WTF looks from people. 
  • I just feel bad that they're scared to the point of tears about it.  I do reassure them that we won't let it happen and that's why we don't go out if it's too cold.

    We've always been open with all the kids about anything they want to know.  The girls enjoy looking at pics of my c-sections (which are pretty up close and personal - you could make a flipbook) and looking at my scar, etc.
  • OMG, hmo.  I needed that.
  • <facepalm>

    (...and I'm in the WTG Mom! camp!!!  It is what it is - I just wish I could get DD convinced that just because she's warm now doesn't mean in 4 miles down the road after the warm car from the garage factor wears off that it won't change and she NEEDS to have warm clothes with her this time of year...  String it out, at least it gets them to put their winter clothes on - should be interesting to hear your explanation of heat stroke come summer LOL)

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards