Tantrums and Runny Noses

We have been so lucky through Charlie's first year and a half. She hasn't really been sick and has been extremely cooperative. Until recently.

Now, the cooperative thing is not a big deal. She is still my little peanut without question, but she is clearly beginning to excerise her "free will". The mini-tantrums she throws when we won't let her do something are almost comical (although we try not to laugh). It seems like all the parenting books we've read about establishing boundries are starting to become important.

One of my buddies told me back in the summer of 2006 that "you have to start them off early" and you won't have as many problems later". He's got 5 sons, so I heed his words very closely. I'm fortunate in that lots of my buddies I grew up with have older kids so I am constantly watching and listening to their stories. I know I'm never going to be a perfect Dad, but I'll never tire from trying to get better at it every day.

Which brings me to my next troubling question: What do you do for your 16-month old daughter when she has a bad cold? It's so difficult to watch her struggle to breath through coughing, sniffling, and sneezing. It seems like Charlie has had a cold for 3 weeks, only taking a break from it for a few days here and there. Mommy has been sick too, while 23 weeks pregnant. This means she refuses to take medicine, even though our OB has given the green light on a few things to help her feel better. Our house has been a petry dish of cold bugs. But knock on wood, Daddy has avoided it... for now, thanks to the great olive oil antibacterial soap I've been constantly washing my hands with! It's great stuff.

Mommy has been a trooper. Even though she's sick too, she is the absolute BEST comforter for Charlie. I've said it before, and it still remains... the bond between Mommy and Charlie is incredible. That's why I am so thankful for my couple of Daddy/Daughter Days during the week. Otherwise I might never get to kiss and hug my baby girl!