Army Men To The Rescue!

Monday morning Robby was evaluated for Kindergarten. After his session, we stayed so that he could play with his new classmates for about an hour. Seeing him having so much fun and having him beg to stay has made my accepting school easier.

I have been worried about Robby's acclimating to school, especially since he has never been to preschool. He is a social child, but has not had daily opportunities to put those skills to use. I know that he will thrive from being around other children his age everyday,

Unfortunately, I also know that he will probably catch every cold and flu bug that enters the school. He has been extraordinarily healthy, but I know that our lucky streak is ending. Being at home with me, he simply hasn't been exposed to the germs. School is an opportunity for him to spread his wings- intellectually, socially and (unfortunately) immunologically.

We spent about 90 minutes at school on Monday. Wednesday morning Robby, dealing with the sniffles, began complaining that his ears were "farting." Yesterday Robby was diagnosed with a double ear infection and strep throat. I think that this is going to be a long school year!

Robby was put on antibiotics, a necessary evil. He does not take medication gracefully, and I dreaded the battle which was going to be fought three times a day for the next ten days. We have been known to have full wrestling matches on the bed as I struggle to get the syringe of medicine in his unwilling, clamped shut mouth.

With tears welling in his eyes when he was told he needed medication, I knew I had to think quickly. I told him that needed to take his medication because it was the army needed to fight off the infection. My off-hand comment then turned into a thirty minute fictional explanation. Yes, I lied to get him to take his antibiotic without having to put him in a headlock.

I told Robby that each drop of his medication is filled with tiny little soldiers armed with guns and grenades. The medication soldiers seek out the "bad germs" and fight them until they are dead. He has to keep taking his medication to replenish his army so that it is stronger. He also needs to drink a lot of water because he will pee out the bad germs after they are killed by the tiny guns and grenades.

Apparently my little story made an impression. Robby handed the prescription to the pharmacist asking for "extra guns and grenades in a cherry flavor please." Luckily she didn't understand his request, so I didn't have to elaborate. After I explained how the medication works, he has been looking at the clock eagerly anticipating his next dose of army soldiers. We may have a long few months of viruses and bugs ahead of us, but at least Robby and I won't be clashing over taking his medication anymore!