My GD started preschool twice a week at age 2 last year. She got sick pretty consistently every two weeks. And then spread to mom, dad and baby sister. With Covid she had almost never been sick her first two years. Hopefully when baby sister starts next year it won’t be quite as bad.
3 Likes
Head lice are a pain to get rid of. They are becoming immune to the shampoos. So this is sort of a PSA from your friendly pharmacist if your kids/grandkids get lice.
Nix claims to kill both the lice and eggs. Which sounds great but it doesn’t kill all the eggs so just wait a few days and you’ll have the same problem. You don’t get out of combing out the hair (many people assume the shampoo will save them the work).
Rid shampoo actually works better to kill the lice but doesn’t kill the eggs (but doesn’t claim to)
A cheap plastic comb comes with both kits. Throw it away–they’re practically useless.
Buy a “Licemeister” comb. It’s the only comb I’m aware of that REALLY works to get rid of lice and eggs once and for all. In fact (especially with real little ones) you can get rid of the lice using only the comb and avoid the pesticide. They used to be steel toothed but now I guess they are hardened plastic instead. It has much closer spaced (and hardened) teeth to really grab the nit off the hair.
3 Likes
Please research nontoxic methods for treating lice. As a former kinder teacher, I had many kids infested and got them myself. The toxic pesticides often don’t work and can be harmful to kids. Suffocating head lice works in new treatment -- ScienceDaily.
I used the Cetaphil facial cleanser technique. It works great and doesn’t put your child at danger from pesticides. How to Fight Lice with Cetaphil Cleanser<!-- --> | <!-- -->The People's Pharmacy
Olive oil also works, but it is messy. The secret for all these methods is to follow the life cycles of lice, and repeat treatment as the eggs hatch.
Just a big NO here to anything that tries to “suffocate” lice. Actual science shows the critters have a phenomenal ability to hold their breath. If you follow with a good lice comb that is actually doing the work then fine. Mayonnaise, olive oil, green tea oil–no. They do not work. Period.
Using a “Licemeister” comb is a one and done treatment if used correctly. No need for repeat treatments. Yes, it can be time consuming but not hard at all. You would think that it would be really hard to pull through hair but if the hair is properly conditioned then the comb just slides through. Concentrate around back of ears. Rinse repeatedly. Bit gross with what it’ll pick up but worth the price.
Please don’t waste your time with useless treatments when a simple comb can take care of the critters.
2 Likes
so if you haven’t tried it, you shouldn’t be dismissing it.….I’ve actually used the cetaphil treatment (about 10 years ago) and it works great. You put it on your hair, blow dry it on and leave it on overnight. Lice can only “hold their breath” for 6 hours or so. (And yes, Licemeister comb is recommended to comb out your hair before blow drying it.). You repeat I think a week later. The blow drying drys the sticky stuff to their bodies and they do suffocate.
Here’s the protocol for using Cetaphil.
http://nuvoforheadlice.com/?page_id=9
I’ll assume the 2 posters above are done. If not, move the conversation to DM please.
Talked to DD1 last night - it turns out now they have a spray and comb kit now. GS’s head lice was evident with short hair. GD’s head lice was behind her ears (probably from hands putting her hair behind her ears). DD said heavily spray the hair and thoroughly comb out; then she gave them their baths to wash everything out. A need to check 8 days later to make sure nothing further - and they were rid of it. Of course the washing of their bed sheets/pillow cases and their clothes.
DD remembered a ‘head check’ in 1st grade, so evidently someone had head lice in her school at that time.
Yesterday was grandparents day. A made up, “Hallmark holiday” for sure, but oh well. Happy grandparents day everyone!
6 Likes
Tough day for D. GD went to her first full day of daycare this morning. The update they sent says she has been crying on and off, which is really hard for D to hear. They post pictures to a portal, and D sent me a picture of GD sleeping on her little nap cot. I am sure that she had a tough time staying in the cot, let alone actually falling asleep … D figures GD is worn out from the stress of this very unusual day. I told D that while GD will get used to it, D needs to prepare for the reality that moms will feel their kids’ sadness their entire lives.
3 Likes
D is expanding her freelance WFH work this week. I’m stepping in to help–supposedly while GD3 is at preschool in the morning, so D will get enough work done to be available to GD while GS1 is sleeping. Did not work out that way, and I stayed in the afternoon so D could continue to work and GD had company.
Fun time with both kids, but as it is at their very small, cramped, upstairs apartment, it’s difficult for me to operate there, move around, take kids out, etc., and it was a really longer day than anticipated. This is definitely a work in progress to figure out how D and her H get work done andwithout losing sight of my own work and projects. But I do want D to be able to establish this career, so determined to help as I can.
6 Likes
My D and SIL both WFH, and I honestly don’t know how they would be able to do it without someone to watch their D. I have absolutely loved being able to watch my GD at their house while they work. As she got older, I started bringing her to my house once a week. I didn’t think I would want to be a caregiver at all for grandkids, because I was an overachiever SAHM & just couldn’t imagine raising a kid again. I’ve discovered that it’s definitely not the same … watching a grandchild is so much different than taking care of my own kids. It’s much, much easier (and more fun).
6 Likes
I’m definitely here for doing it part time, and I do think my issues are mostly with the logistics of their home. It’s so tiny it’s literally difficult to move around other people. They have no real yard, and so taking a child out means getting stroller, child, and large backpack full of stuff down stairs, and chasing a very energetic child around park. I wouldn’t mind staying in, but D wants kids to get outdoor time, which I understand.
I also do want to work on my writing too. (but I don’t make much money at it, so it keeps getting put on the side.)
This sounds super kvetchy. I think we are just starting to feel out a routine and it will get easier. Love spending time with the kids, and happy they are so comfortable with me!
6 Likes
Lots of drama, a week overdue, emergency cesarean but the baby is so cute and they’re home adjusting!
23 Likes
Congratulations @daylily1. Glad everything went well and they are home.
1 Like
I got those books for GD after reading your post. Big hit. She is reading those books while sitting on the potty. 
My GD is also 20 months old.
2 Likes
My D, SIL and 9 mo old grandson had an 11 hour non stop flight today, Boston to Hawaii. The only text I got was grandson only slept 75 minutes, total. No thank you.
2 Likes
GD is almost 8 weeks old! We get to see her a few times a week and took care of her while D and SIL attended a wedding a few weeks ago. I reported here that she arrived 4 weeks early, but she is quite an eater and has almost doubled her weight already. D will be returning to work in October and has daycare lined up (on site at her employer) but GD will be at our house on Mondays.
12 Likes
DH, quite a handyman, got a call from SIL about what to get at Home Depot for a particular project – really nice that he asked for some guidance! Maybe DD told him to call her dad - DD has done projects with her dad.
Years ago I got ‘Highlights’ subscription for DDs for maybe 2 years. It was the one that was out at the time (for 6 - 12 years). Just got an invitation to subscribe – they now have 3 levels, 0 - 2 yr ‘Lovable!’, 2 - 6 yr ‘Playful!’, and 6- 12 ‘Engaging!’. They have bonus gifts and discount - 12 month subscription – my deal was 50% off cover price of $5.99/issue is $2.87 - or $34.44/year. With Gkids age 3 and 4 YO I guess they will get some delight out of it. Just saw a 60% off deal on their web site – I just googled Highlights Magazine. My subscription begins in December. Thought I would share for grandparents interested in looking into this.
5 Likes
In that same vein…Scholastic’s 15 per cent off everything on the site ends at midnight tonight. If it’s over $25 there’s no shipping.
4 Likes
My sister has sent my grandson (age 4) Highlights Jr as a Christmas gift and Ranger Rick as a birthday gift. My DD says he loves getting the magazines in the mail.
3 Likes