Children are inquisitive. They often put things in their mouths that look so good, but aren’t. That is why there are poison control numbers and Mr. Yuck labels to warn children. We are always being cautioned about the detergent pods used for dishwashers and laundry. Initially they were colorful and so inviting. Some of them still are a calling card for young children, but I have noticed that others are wrapped in a tin foil looking package now.
Some of us know that not all berries are created for human consumption. There are blueberries and raspberries, and strawberries that are safe. We had a safe mulberry tree that we all enjoyed. We couldn’t pick them fast enough. But children don’t know the difference. To them, a berry that is pretty and available appears to be a treat.
Recently, my 5 year old Grandchild was playing in the park with friends. She came up to her mother with berries and confessed to having eaten a few. A few started out as 3 and ended up about 6. She knew she had done something wrong. Luckily things turned out okay.
Kids are in a “learning zone”. When my daughter was 3 we were out for an evening and had left the kids with a sitter. We came home to find our little girl throwing up weird stuff.
Our son who was about six, later told us the babysitter sat on the front stoop the whole time we were out. He didn’t know what his sister had eaten. In the meantime, with some investigation on my part, we found out that our daughter had eaten some raw sausage from the refrigerator.
Thank goodness nothing worse happened and that she threw it all up. I felt so badly. It turned out it was the only time we used that girl for sitting! But back to the issue of eating the wrong things. People do it all the time, even as adults. They pick and eat mushrooms that are poisonous and other non eatable plants. A little time to check things out with your local Farm Bureau is worth the phone call. We once had a wild plum tree that we took a sample of fruit from to them. We were pleasantly surprised that we could eat the fruit. The branches became so sharp as it aged though that eventually we removed the tree.
Another time when our son who was only 2, he was with my mom and got into her medicine. He had climbed a bookcase to get it right in front of her. She couldn’t get to him fast enough and he swallowed it. We had to have his stomach pumped. He was fine, but my mom was devastated.
So knowing how kids can be so free spirited I ask you to note the poison control number. Hopefully you’ll never need it. I looked it up and the hotline number is 1-800-222-1222.
The good news is that all was okay in all of these stories. I am sure you might have a few in your “experience bag” too. Please be aware of the potential for kids to eat the wrong things this summer; maybe if we are all vigil, we can avoid any major problems. I urge you to check into the Mr. Yuck stickers. I wanted to post direct links, but there are oodles of them to pick from online.
Hoping for many Mini Miracles in your life!
Save