LisaGreene
New member
I can only post this little "article" on CF websites cause no one else would understand!! I hope it makes you smile. PS: Please don't read this if the word "fart" offends you. 
Hugs,
Lisa G
<b>The Sneak Attack</b>
Cystic fibrosis brings sibling rivalry to a whole new level. I've always said that even through I can't <i>make</i> my kids love each other, I can at least make sure they don't kill each other. (And they actually are very good friends- most of the time...). But get a load of this one:
Working quietly at my desk, not bothering anyone, I hear: "No! Don't tell Mom!!" "Yeah, I'm gonna tell...." My ears prick up. Hmmm. "NO! I don't want you to tell!"
Innocently I ask, "What's up?" My daughter Kasey barges into my office and shuts the door. No... make that <i>slams</i> the door.
"Jacob farted and it made me throw up." Jacob barges into the room.
Trying not to dissolve into a puddle of giggles, I say: "Oh really. That's a bummer. How much did you throw up?"
"About a cup." (Empathy, I tell myself, remember the <i>empathy</i>!)
"Aww, too bad. <i>Where</i> did you throw up?" (Wondering what kind of mess I had on my hands).
"In the toilet."
"Oh good. So, Jacob farted and you felt sick. Since you have such a "touchy" stomach, do you think that maybe whenever he farts, you should leave the room?"
"Well it would be <i>nice</i> if he warned me."
"Yes, it would be. Jacob, whenever you feel a fart coming on, can you please let Kasey know so she can leave? Or you leave?"
Jacob (a little defensive): "Well, I'll try. <i>If</i> I remember." I'm not convinced that I have full buy-in here.
"Jacob, what's the right thing to do here?"
"Leave the room when I'm about to fart."
"Thank you." I should have stopped here but nooooo, the urge to lecture on this one is wayyyy to strong...
"Stinky farts are just a part of CF that both of you will have to deal with. And Kasey, your farts don't smell like roses either. You need to do the same- either warn Jacob or leave the room."
"Weeelllll, sometimes my farts just sneak out- like a sneak attack- and I don't know they are coming." (Oh geez. Is this conversation really happening?)
"Do you think maybe that happens to Jake, too?" Jake perks up immediately. Ah ha! He sees a potential escape route! "So, what's my point here?"
Jake: "To say something or leave when we feel a fart coming."
"And what happens, Kasey, if you smell a fart? Since you're the one that throws up?"
"To leave."
"Good! I'm glad we have that clarified ...." (Yeah right, clear as mud.)
Jacob: "I really can't believe this conversation!"
Mom: "Neither can I." (I'd better go write it down.... and have a big glass of wine to boot!)
************
Lisa C. Greene is the mother of two children with cystic fibrosis, a certified parent coach and public speaker. She is also the co-author with Foster Cline MD of the award-winning Love and Logic book "Parenting Children with Health Issues." For more information, see www.ParentingChildrenWithHealthIssues.com.
For more Tips for CF Parents, visit Lisa's website at www.happyheartfamilies.com.
Hugs,
Lisa G
<b>The Sneak Attack</b>
Cystic fibrosis brings sibling rivalry to a whole new level. I've always said that even through I can't <i>make</i> my kids love each other, I can at least make sure they don't kill each other. (And they actually are very good friends- most of the time...). But get a load of this one:
Working quietly at my desk, not bothering anyone, I hear: "No! Don't tell Mom!!" "Yeah, I'm gonna tell...." My ears prick up. Hmmm. "NO! I don't want you to tell!"
Innocently I ask, "What's up?" My daughter Kasey barges into my office and shuts the door. No... make that <i>slams</i> the door.
"Jacob farted and it made me throw up." Jacob barges into the room.
Trying not to dissolve into a puddle of giggles, I say: "Oh really. That's a bummer. How much did you throw up?"
"About a cup." (Empathy, I tell myself, remember the <i>empathy</i>!)
"Aww, too bad. <i>Where</i> did you throw up?" (Wondering what kind of mess I had on my hands).
"In the toilet."
"Oh good. So, Jacob farted and you felt sick. Since you have such a "touchy" stomach, do you think that maybe whenever he farts, you should leave the room?"
"Well it would be <i>nice</i> if he warned me."
"Yes, it would be. Jacob, whenever you feel a fart coming on, can you please let Kasey know so she can leave? Or you leave?"
Jacob (a little defensive): "Well, I'll try. <i>If</i> I remember." I'm not convinced that I have full buy-in here.
"Jacob, what's the right thing to do here?"
"Leave the room when I'm about to fart."
"Thank you." I should have stopped here but nooooo, the urge to lecture on this one is wayyyy to strong...
"Stinky farts are just a part of CF that both of you will have to deal with. And Kasey, your farts don't smell like roses either. You need to do the same- either warn Jacob or leave the room."
"Weeelllll, sometimes my farts just sneak out- like a sneak attack- and I don't know they are coming." (Oh geez. Is this conversation really happening?)
"Do you think maybe that happens to Jake, too?" Jake perks up immediately. Ah ha! He sees a potential escape route! "So, what's my point here?"
Jake: "To say something or leave when we feel a fart coming."
"And what happens, Kasey, if you smell a fart? Since you're the one that throws up?"
"To leave."
"Good! I'm glad we have that clarified ...." (Yeah right, clear as mud.)
Jacob: "I really can't believe this conversation!"
Mom: "Neither can I." (I'd better go write it down.... and have a big glass of wine to boot!)
************
Lisa C. Greene is the mother of two children with cystic fibrosis, a certified parent coach and public speaker. She is also the co-author with Foster Cline MD of the award-winning Love and Logic book "Parenting Children with Health Issues." For more information, see www.ParentingChildrenWithHealthIssues.com.
For more Tips for CF Parents, visit Lisa's website at www.happyheartfamilies.com.