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Brave? Or Stupid? Episode #2483.

I’ve been quiet. Not because I don’t like you all. But because what I really want to do it go lie in a dark room for a week.  Alone. With my eyes closed. I think I have earned it, actually. Just got back yesterday from 3 weeks with the girls in the US. Yes, once again, we must question the sanity of a woman who willingly locks herself into a steel tube with two toddlers for a period of around 7 hours.

In all seriousness, we had a wonderful time. Between the Grandma Rules (i.e. none) and the serious bonding with their cousins, Eva and Zoe had the time of their life. And to be truthful, I had a wonderful visit too. It’s been too long since we’ve had that much family time. But it wasn’t all recreation. No, Mommy here was busy adding to her list of “Things I didn’t know before I became a parent, 6 years of pediatric training notwithstanding.”

And I won’t be selfish. I’ll share my newfound knowledge with all of you:

Did you know that small children like juice? Yes, it’s like crack. Life is decidedly less pleasant for Eva and Zoe today now that they are back home in the land of milk and water. The look on Zoe’s face when she stole her cousin’s sippy cup was priceless.

I learned that a “sister weekend” in New York is a lot different when one of us is breastfeeding and all the children plus their Grandma want to come along.

Also, do you know what is more fun than getting on a plane with 3 adults and 4 children under the age of 3? No, not security, although that was pretty awesome. No, what’s actually unbelievably fun is getting on a plane with 4 small children, then getting off the plane while they fix a mechanical issue and finally reboarding an hour later. Good times!

And speaking of entertainment, you all know what I think of the AAP’s “absolutely no TV before the age of 2” rule. (Although technically one of them is now of age.) Eva and Zoe watch an episode of Sesame Street every morning. So far it appears that the greatest threat is that they might learn the alphabet. But just so you know, because now I do, should you be walking down the street in Times Square and see Elmo standing on a corner, he will expect a cash tip in exchange for three minutes with your toddlers who are weeping with joy and shaking with excitement. And here I thought Sesame Street was not for profit.

Finally, I would like to give a big shout out to Kid Car New York, a fantastic company that provides age and weight appropriate car seat-fitted vans for trips to and from the airport as well as around town. Complete with drivers who ensure the kiddos are buckled in appropriately and tolerate endless rounds of “Baa Baa Black Sheep.”

Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s lessons in parenting from one very tired Dr. Mommy. Soon we’ll get back to more important topics, like the fact that I got my flu shot while in the States. And the girls get theirs next week. But for now I must go lie down.

Dr. Lara Zibners, Oct 28, 2011

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Superior tkhining demonstrated above. Thanks!

    – Peggy (11/27 09:01 PM)

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