My Mom's Advice: On Giving Medicine

As a new mom, I'd often turn to my mother for advice. Do you think he is eating enough? Why is he crying? Why isn't he sleeping? The questions seemed to be frequent and my faith in mom's answers complete.

With more than 10 years parenting experience now spread over two boys, I'm less likely to call for advice but more often look for someone to commiserate with, someone to vent to and I suppose someone to tell me I'm doing okay.

It was in that vein that I called my mom after my youngest was diagnosed with an infection and placed on antibiotics. Oral antibiotics. This might seem like a standard procedure and not one to be concerned with. Except the child in question is a very strong, very stubborn boy with autism. My son is not able to understand the need for the medicine. He does not have the cognitive ability to be bribed. He absolutely hates medicine.

In the past when liquid antibiotics were simply impossible for him, the doctor had provided injections. We had to take him back three times but it was still less hassle and we were confident in the application of the needed medicine.

Now there were pills to deal with. We tried crushing them only to have them spat in our faces. We tried putting them in the back of his throat only to find ourselves covered in projectile vomit.

Nearing the end of my rope and needing both a break and reinforcement, I called mom. Mom would understand I was sure.

Mom did not understand. Not really. Her suggestion made me shiver in memory. She easily suggested that we should simply use the pill as a suppository - as she had done with aspirin to fight fever when her children were small. She had the nerve to say, "You probably don't remember but. . ." I didn't hear her finished. I most certainly did remember. Yuck. Yuck. And yuck.

Thanks for the advice mom. And the horrible flashback.

In this case, we decided to ignore mom and turn to Tollhouse. Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough to be precise. We hid the pill in the cookie dough and our little guy happily chewed it right along with the chocolate chips.

My future grandchildren will be so much happier when the time comes for a daughter in law to phone me for advice.