You're fine!

Being the mom of three boys, I am constantly addressing the plethora of bumps, bruises, and ailments that my boys complain about. Because of the heaps of complaints I receive, my apathy about the severity of the complaint culminates with this phrase: You're fine!

Brendan scrapes his knee. You're fine. Put a band aid on.
Andrew hurt his foot. You're fine. Just use the other one.
Evan was tackled by both brothers. You're fine, Ev. Be tough.

This same attitude is pervasive throughout all illnesses. In the past week, all of the boys have been sick, yet due to our busy lives, I am not overly sympathetic.

Evan started it all last week with a nasty cold that had him wheezing profusely. We gave him some albuterol for the wheezing and benadryl for the dripping nose, and I sent him to school. Ev, you're fine. You don't want to miss the leaf drawing today, right?

Then, Brendan was sick at the start of this week. Brendan is on daily steroids for his asthma, so a cold is not welcome for him. He got Evan's cold and was coughing incessantly due to his asthma. Again, on Monday we loaded him up with meds and sent him on his way. Brendan, you're fine. If you really need me, call. But, I think you're fine. Did he call? What do you think? Of course, not! He was fine. (Not really, but he thought he could finish the day.)

Now is Andrew's turn. This one is tougher. He started with just a cold, but then he also started wheezing. Andrew won't admit he has asthmatic tendencies, so he is a little tougher to help. Yet yesterday he looked at us and ASKED for a breathing treatment. Yikes. Last night he came home from school with a fever, and he also woke up in the middle of the night with a fever. When I told him that he may not be able to go to school, he replied, "Mom, I'm fine. Tomorrow's gym day."

You're fine, Andrew? I thought so. . .

P.S. He hasn't woke up yet today for me to offer the final answer of School or No School?