Why you may Need Poison Control on Speed Dial

I was reflecting last night, as I fell into bed, how all of my children are so unique...especially when it comes to their medical history.

There is Luke who broke, not one, but both of his collar bones. Two different incidents, only months apart. Logan has sprained and broken a number of fingers.  Nothing ever major. But always, and only, the fingers. Nic used to put everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in his mouth. Dirt, dog food, paper, batteries, sand, cinnamon, even his own poop (when he was a baby, while I was changing him -- I promise). But never did we have to go to the emergency room and never did I call poison control.

And then there is Asher. Asher on the other hand has put a whole three things in his mouth his entire life, and all three: Poisonous.  

The first was lawn fertilizer, the second, worming medicine for the cat, and today, a Dieffenbachia.

I know.

What the heck is that?

I'm so glad you asked. A Dieffenbachia is that houseplant you've had in some random apartment, in some tiny cubical, on a nightstand or in a windowsill at one time or another in your life. It's the one they sell at CVS, dollar stores and Home Depot. It's the one that would never die, didn't need light and you've seen, I'm certain, a thousand times.

It's so common, it's name should be "@%*$ plain-old-houseplant!" 

Today, I learned it's called Dieffenbachia and when you eat it, it's excruciatingly painful. I believe my friends at poison control said, and I quote: "it feels like shards of glass in your mouth."

So let's just say, for many minutes, there was a LOT of screaming, spitting, gagging, and Googling going on in my house tonight (poor Dave was given the research honors at work "Don't ask! Just look up D. I. E. F. F......," "....I don't CARE that they're a tropical plant noted for their patterned leaves! Get to the life-threatening, poisonous part!!!")

All the while, thankfully, Logan and Luke played quietly upstairs and Nic, sat at the kitchen table, only a few feet away. Engrossed in a book.

Like nothing was going on in the whole. wide. world.

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Parents:

If you haven't done so already, put your doctor's phone number and poison control on speed dial in your phone. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

If you're incredibly over-protective and fearful of your children getting hurt, I can assure you that many and most incidents that occur could never have been predicted. Be careful about letting your fear overwhelm you. When it does, you may unknowingly project it unto your children and cause them an enormous amount of anxiety.

Avoid Dieffenbachia and mouthfuls of cinnamon. Always.