Little Falls Craft Show

This weekend was the Little Falls Craft Show.  I tend to look at it kind of like the State Fair.  You can go every other year and still see the same things.  I hadn't been there for a couple of years and didn't know if I'd actually make it this year until I got an email from my aunt saying that she wanted to meet me there, along with my mom and my sister.

So Saturday morning we met Aunt Jo in town and spend 5 glorious hours in the sun, in the shade, in the wind, in the heat, in the crowds, in the lines....to the port-a-potties.  When asked what I was looking for, I said  "I don't know what I need until I see it".  I didn't go looking for anything.  It was mainly to just enjoy the weekend and the company.

And then I saw it. 

I've wanted a picture of The Last Supper for many years now.  I've looked in different religious stores and online but nothing really had ever spoken to me.  I wanted to find something like my mom and cousin have and my grandma had.  A 3D plaque made of plaster; 18" by 12".  Nothing huge that screams CATHOLIC LIVES HERE!  My aunt has a huge puzzle that she glued and framed beautifully but it fits the wall where it hangs.

And then I saw it.

It was a gorgeous decoupage of different papers surrounded by a 3D matte.  It has an antique looking frame with a sage colored background.  I'm ecstatic that I found the perfect picture of The Last Supper that fits my kitchen.  Now I'm excited to do some other cosmetic changes in my kitchen/ living room too.

If you like what you see, Barbara Groth is the artist.  She had many more religious pieces including gorgeous manger scenes for Christmas.  Her company is called Paper Sampler.  She is based out of Detroit Lakes.  If you want her address or phone number, let me know.  I just don't feel comfortable giving it out over my blog.

Parents.....Aaaaahhhhh!!!!

I should probably warn you that this is a venting post.  Please bear with me.

Today was a long day; mainly caused by many patients not showing up.  It happens quite frequently on the Friday before a holiday.  It makes the day just drag on and there is only so much cleaning one can do before taken over by the fumes.

But what I'm most frustrated about is parents.  Parents that don't act like parents.  Parents that don't know when to stay in the lobby and don't know when to keep their mouths shut.  Parents that interfere with me doing my job.

So here's my advise to those who are parents or may become parents one day.  This is how to behave when bringing your children to the dentist.

* Coming back into the treatment room is a privilege, not a right.  If you kid behaves, you get to stay.  If they misbehave or don't cooperate (depending upon age), you don't get to stay.  Six year olds are old enough to take directions from someone who is not their mother.  Much less 13 year olds.

*Don't deny your kids local anesthetic.  Just because you may not use it doesn't mean that your kid is tough enough to not need it.  Everyone's pain tolerance is different.  Let your kid have the choice of having novacaine or not.  It makes them feel like they have some control over the situation.

*When going over post op instructions and I tell you that pain meds would be a good idea before the novacaine wears off, don't tell me "Oh, I won't.  We do meditation".  Don't let your kid have an extreme toothache when taking a little bit of ibprofen would help with any discomfort.

*Don't let your kids run up and down the hall yelling.  There are other patients in the office and privacy needs to be respected.

*Allow me to go over the steps of the procedure.  Having them see the tools lets them see that nothing's sharp or scary.  They also get to understand the purpose of each tool.  It's actually kind of cool.  It also lets them know what to expect and the fear of the unknown goes away.

*Don't tell your kid that it will or won't hurt.  Bringing up the H word tells them that something WILL hurt.  Don't even say "I'll only hurt for just a bit".  We prefer to explain what kind of "hurt" it will be.  Like....you'll feel a pinch; or a poke, or a mosquito bite.  Or it'll feel weird or puffy or uncomfortable.(as in local anesthetic). 

*When we're all done and we're praising your kid because they did a great job, don't say "You should have cried."  What is that?  What does that mean.....you should have cried?  By saying that, you are training your kid to think that when they go to the dentist or the doctor that they are going to cry.  Getting them worked up about treatment just makes things worse.  Be mellow and positive.  Having a negative attitude makes the visit go down the toilet real fast.

*Let your kids enjoy the dentist.  Let them pick out their own toy, pencil or sticker.  It's a reward for them doing a wonderful job.  Even if it means it's another "piece of junk" to take home.

**Edit 9/4/10***
I forgot to mention one thing.  Bringing kids back to the room by themselves without mom or dad makes them feel like they are BIG.  That they can handle it by themselves and they'll be okay.  I know some parents like to be in the room to hold their hand and to make sure they're alright or maybe just to watch.  But if we have problems, we'll come get you.  And sometimes having a spectator in the room distracts your child from what we are telling them and having a troupe of siblings in there too creates chaos.  My chair is not a monkey bar swing.  And if your kid breaks it, you get the bill.