Hi from Dale

[Guest guest]

from Dale, Mom to Katy, CVID, age 18

Becky, Congratulations!! It's hard to let go of our kiddos -- but absolutely

essential to their development. Okay -- so you've got green goo -- you might

have had that if she stayed home. Okay -- so it might be serious -- yes, but

what a great time she had at the lake!!!! Be sure and tell your doctor that

she was swimming in a lake -- that poses a little different threat than shower

water or chlorinated water. Our kids are always at risk. The goal is to

balance it out with fun.

If she's feeling really bad -- then the sooner you get started on this the

better if it really is a sinus infection -- but go in too early and they'll

call it a " cold " . Your Mom's intuition will guide -- just don't feel guilty

for giving her a great time. Then, knuckle down and tackle whatever it is.

Also, try to resist the temptation to say, " I knew if you went up there you

would get sick! I knew I shouldn't have let you go. " That sets up in her

little head that she gets " paid with interest " if she has a good time. While

it's usually true -- a much healthier way to look at it is that the fun was

well worth the price to be paid and you might have gotten sick if you had

stayed home. As Katy got older we talked ahead of time about the possible

outcomes and let her decide if it was worth it. Hope that helps.

Hang in there.

Don't you love parenting -- in trouble if you let them go, in trouble if you

don't. One minute you are over protective and the next under protective.

Can't win -- so you might as well have fun doing it!

Hang in there!

In His service,

Dale