no, she's not sick...

Today we went to the dentist. After this incident last August, we realized that The Babe needed to be medicated prior to seeing the dentist because of her heart murmer. So, yesterday I dutifully filled the prescription and placed it in the fridge because they said it would taste better cold.

Apparently, I had neglected to talk to The Babe about this need for medicine. I am surprised at myself, and then I felt really on the spot to come up with a good explanation as to why she needed this medicine. She has seen the dentist several times before, but has never had the real cleaning with the metal tools. All those times, she never took any medicine before going to the dentist, so obviously, she was wondering what was up. Add to this that I have always told The Kiddos that "the medicine will help you feel better" or "you have to take this because you are sick", and now I have two kids wondering what's "wrong" with The Babe. Why does she need the medicine...

The necessary timing of this medicine in relation to the dentist visit was such that I was giving her the medicine as we were driving the 45 minutes to our dentist. Don't worry, my husband was driving, but it was still an awkward place to try to explain that no, she's not sick. I told The Babe that she will need the medicine now every time she sees the dentist. She asks why The Boy doesn't need it, why don't I need it, what about Daddy? No, none of us need it, just you. But you're not sick. Well then she wants to know if she's not sick, why does she need medicine. It was just so hard to explain. I don't want her to feel defective or broken or that she's somehow malfunctioned.... but the bottom line is she has a condition that requires this.

I reminded her of how we sometimes go see the special doctor who takes movies of her heart. I told her that none of us ever need that, just her. I told her that she gets to have movies made of her heart because her heart is very unique, and it's part of what makes her special. But, that it also means that she needs to take the medicine before the dentist to keep her from getting sick. I told her it was like a shield. Her heart is special and needs special care.

And then there's The Boy... "My special, too, Mommy! My special!" sigh. It was just so hard to explain, and I wish I had thought about it ahead of time. I hope she doesn't feel too different. She did say the medicine tasted good, so at least there's that. Oh, and the dentist says both kids have great teeth.