I refuse to raise a pansy.

Mrs Lemon
The Mom Who Classifies Koolaid And Root Beer
As Acceptable Fluids When They Are Feverish

That should be my new tag-line.

I heard a 6' 6" Dad in McDonald's the other day tell his very tall 6 year old that if he drinks pop, it will make him shrink.  really?  In this day and information age, you're going to lie to your child about pop while you take him to a fast food joint? Is it too much to ask for a little consistency?

I believe in telling it to my kids straight.  Such as telling Zesty, "You're not allowed to be afraid of the potty.  Everyone potties.  Get over it."  And reminding Pinky, "Quit crying.  You're not hurt, and we know you're here."

I think at times I'm so afraid of overindulging them that I am too blunt, but I just don't see the point in babying and pampering and catering.

I look them in the eye often to tell them that I love them, and I am affectionate with them.  We hold hands when we walk even from room to room, and Zesty tells perfect strangers who exit any place we are, "Bye! Love you!"  There is not a lack of warmth in our home, but I just can't bring myself to go and comfort Pinky every time she shrieks when it's just her and Zesty being brother-and-sister.  They have got to learn to work it out, and I'm busy cleaning up whatever they spilled three seconds ago that they ran from.

Believe me though, there was plenty of cuddling and holding this week.  I found myself sleeping in terrifically strange positions with my blanket needs way on the bottom of the priority list so that the toddlers could be comfortable laying directly on my chest and hogging all the covers.  From Monday afternoon until this afternoon, there was always somebody who had a fever.  Mr Lemon had to run out to WalGreen's Thursday night around 3am to get more Tylenol so we could alternate it with Motrin for Pinky.  It's been a rough week.

But I choose to believe the reason Zesty was so great at the hospital with all the new and scary stuff is because I don't sugarcoat things with him.  I do not allow him to avoid what he's scared of.  I refuse to raise a pansy.  My son will be strong-minded, tender-hearted, and and will not hesitate to do the right thing in the face of adversity.  My daughter will be capable; will not be bullied; she will be compassionate without being a doormat.

No pansies need apply.