Healing Words

As we all know, there are hurting words and healing words.

Since most of us are selfish people, I like to have the kids practice the healing part. One way is to say caring things when people are hurt. Something as simple as, "Are you okay?", "Where does it hurt?", or "Can I help you?"

Several months ago, we made a list of healing words so they would have an idea of what to say when someone was sad. It was fake and forced at first, but after a while, they actually sounded helpful. Today, Savannah, told Summer, "Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Is it bleeding? (it was not) Okay, come with me. I know what to do with this." They went up to the house and she washed the ouchie. I did not budge from pulling weeds.

When they returned, they went back to playing.

Things can feel worse than they are without kind words.

There are times, more than I would like to admit, that I learn from the kids the things in my own life I need to work on, and this is one of them. Adults need to practice this as well! And might I add, it would be a lot easier for the kids to learn this if that is what they hear from their parents.

First Aid Kit

Here is a site to make kid's first aid kits.

We go through Band-Aids very quickly, so I rely on the nurse to tell me when we are out.

What's your policy on Band-Aid usage? I used to fight it, but covering up the ouchie, blood or not (at least for a while) seems to discourage drama. That makes a happier mama here.

Anyway, we went to Target last night to buy stuff to fill two kits, one for the house and one for the car. The more kids I have with me, the less intelligent I am. I came home with two items I didn't really want since I didn't read the labels. grr.

For now, we are stocked up on first aid supplies.

Scabs

Bleeding can be a dramatic experience here.
The tiniest scrape warrants a Band-Aid.

Our nurse is responsible for washing wounds and applying Band-Aids.

We wash to prevent infection.
And explain what will happen to the ouchie and how it amazingly fixes itself. This knowledge typically helps alleviate the drama, and they get to learn something about the amazing body!

It hurts because of your ouchie touched a nerve. Your nerves and your brain work together to send you a message. Yes, ouchies hurt.

It bleeds because your ouchie cut a blood vessel. It looks scary but a little blood is part of healing.

At first, your blood is thin, but will thicken and clot to stop the bleeding so we usually won't need to replace the Band-Aid. You can check it every once and a while to see if it has stopped. Just be sure you wash your hand before you look!

White blood cells are like soldiers that come to the rescue and fight germs and prevent infections that our washing may not have caught.

After the bleeding stops, it is important to take off the Band-Aid and let a scab form. This scab protects the wound while new skin is formed. It is important to leave the scab there! It will go away when the new skin is ready!

You might see a scar after the scab falls off. That's okay!

Do you have any scars? A have a few from the chicken pox.