Snotty Nose

Just returned from No.1 sons where we are regular babysitters. Actually, babysitting is a misnomer as Rowan is nearly 8 and Kirsten nearly 4. Over the years since Rowan was born, Barbara has been involved weekly in childcare and I have put my spoke in whenever I was home. It does mean that we see them regularly but it also means that familiarity breeds a certain amount of contempt. Not on our part because we love all of them dearly but the children see us too often and we maintain discipline while Phil and Amanda are absent. That means we get a lot more of the tears and tantrums than less involved grandparents. We saw a reality show recently where some grandparents arrived for a visit after several months and the two children were full of excitement and launched themselves into grandma's arms when she arrived. We are lucky if we get an hello.

Rowan is at school and Kirsten is at nursery every day. She goes from 9 to 11.30am. This week though, she had a snotty nose. We picked her up from Amanda's mums house because she was at a party. Barbara went with her while I picked up Rowan from school. When she got back, she predicted that Kirsten would not go to nursery the next morning. So it was. Amanda was awoken by the cry " I've got a snotty nose" from Kirsten at some ridiculous hour and that was the call of the day when she cared to vocalise. Mostly it was a heartfelt moan as the mucus trickled on to her sore red upper lip. Leaving a box of tissues next to her was not an option as several rain forests would have been the poorer. One tissue, a quick dab and discard was Kirsten's idea. We could normally get two or three dabs from one tissue and apply some cream in between. I'm okay with jigsaws, playdough, drawing etc. but sympathy is not my best subject. I was despatched for some shopping and to collect Rowan to keep me out of the way!

It's always lovely to see them all and we are delighted to share with them but we are always pleased to get home for a bit of peace and quiet until next week!