A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Aug 18 2008

Dueling mamas

Category: Just Me

I was talking with a friend on the phone, when we got into a discussion about our families' recent ill health.

First, I told her that Paul had strep two weeks ago. Then she came back with the story of her husband being sick and staying home from work.

I told her about how well Lucie and Nathan were recovering from their ear infections. She then told me about both her son's ear infection, and how the doctor had to prescribe a stronger antibiotic since the first medicine didn't work.

I told her how lucky we've been that Nathan only had three ear infections and Lucie just had her first. She told me that her son's had over a dozen ear infections, and that the doctor thought the tubes in his ears were beginning to fall out.

I related the story about how we all had eye infections for the past week. She mentioned a homeopathic remedy that helped cure her kids' conjunctivitis in two days.

Usually mamas get competitive about their kids' achievements. You know that "my kid's a genius because she's sleeping through the night" mentality? But I never got into a dueling match over health matters before.

Luckily, I was amused by this one-upmanship. (Or should that be one-upmomship?) She probably just wanted a little reassurance and affirmation after a few tough weeks with her family.