Our next support group will take place on Tuesday May 14, 2013 at

6pm (2nd Tuesday of each month).

The support group meeting is FREE

and open to the public.

Please call (508) 853-8180 to find out more information. 

The support group leader is Elaine Kapperman, LICSW.

Ms. Kapperman has many years of experience with grief counseling, elder

and caregiver issues,  coping with illness, EMDR, relaxation techniques, child treatment. She is running Dodge Park support group since 2007.

When a baby is born into a family it affects every one in that family. However, as you have baby 2 then baby 3, the way in which you deal with the child also changes considerably. Read these suggested differences and enjoy a laugh with Will and Guy.

Your clothing:

 1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.

2nd baby: You wear your ordinary clothes for as long as you are able

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your ordinary clothes.

Getting ready for the day of the birth:

1st baby: You practice your breathing as often as possible

2nd baby: You don't bother practicing your breathing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't help at all.

3rd baby: You accept an epidural injection as soon as it is offered.

Major concerns:

 1st baby: At the first sign of upset, the slightest cry you pick up the baby for a cuddle.

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her cries threaten to wake your neighbours.

3rd baby: You teach your 2 year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Dummies*:

1st baby: If the dummy falls on the floor you put it away until you can go home and disinfect it properly.

2nd baby: When the dummy falls on the floor you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.

3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Note* in the USA this dummy would be called a 'binky'.

Buying a layette**:

 1st baby: You wash the clothes before organising them into colour coordinated folded piles neatly laid out in the baby's specially bought chest of drawers.

2nd baby: You make sure that the clothes are clean and throw only the ones with the dirtiest marks on them.

3rd baby: You are heard to say that boys can wear pink, no problem.

Note** Layette means all the clothes you need for a baby. Vests, cardigan, babygro all-in-ones and even bonnets.

Nappies: [Diapers in the USA]

1st baby: You change your baby's nappy every hour whether they need it or not.

2nd baby: You change their nappy every 2 to 3 hours, if required.

3rd baby: You change their nappy when others start to complain about the smell or you see it hanging down low.

What activities do you do with your youngster?

 1st baby: You take your child to the Clinic, the Gym, the swimming pool and the Library for story time.

2nd baby: You take your youngster to the Clinic.

3rd baby: You take your child to Asda/Walmart.

Baby sitters:

 1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter you call home 4 times.

2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.

3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

How you react when at home with the baby:

 1st baby: You spend a great deal of time every day just gazing lovingly at your baby.

2nd baby: You spend some of everyday keeping an eye open to ensure that your eldest child isn't squeezing, poking or hurting the baby.

3rd baby: You spend some of every day hiding from the children.

We'd put our arms in our shirt and told people we lost them, would restart the video game when we knew we would lose, slept with all our stuffed animals as a child so none of them would be offended, had that one pen with 4 colors and tried to push the buttons all at once, poured soda into the cap and pretended to take shots, the hardest decision was choosing what Nintendo game to play, waited behind the door to scare some one but they took too long, faked being asleep so you would be carried to bed, used to think the moon followed your car, watching two drops of rain roll down the window pretending it was a race, went to the computer just to use Paint.

The only thing we needed to take care of was a Tamagotchi, the only "fake" friends were invisible friends, swallowed a fruit seed and scared to death that the fruit was gonna grow in my tummy, getting a bruised knee was way better than a broken heart...

Remember when we were kids and couldnt wait to grow up?...

What the heck were we thinking?...

In ancient times, the story goes, a samurai warrior came to a Zen master with a question: "Can you tell me the nature of paradise and hell?"

"Who are you?" the master asked.

"I am a samurai!" the warrior replied proudly. The master shook his head.

"Your beard is unshaven, and your clothing is dirty. No ruler would have one such as you for a trusted guard."

At that insult, the warrior drew his sword angrily. But the master only glanced at it and shook his head again. "That weapon is much too dull to cut off any head."

The warrior raised the sword high, ready to avenge his honor.

The master sat calmly and said, "This is the nature of hell."

Recognizing the master's discipline and wisdom, the warrior lowered his weapon. "Master, please forgive me."

He nodded. "This is the nature of paradise."

Your parents have always provided patience 
 love , reassurance, and protection through all of life's ups and downs. Now it's your turn
 to be there for them .
 

Dodge Park at Home Personal Care specializes in dependable, affordable in - home care

for seniors.  From a simple helping hand to 24-hour care, we can tailor a program to suit

your family needs.  Let us provide a better quality of life for your loved one, and peace of

mind for you.  

Call us today and find out about our special rates.

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