FYI

We had our first ever encounter with head lice at the end of the Summer holidays.  Oh my, the words on their own "head lice"  are enough conjure up an image of dirty, bare footed urchins scratching at their scalps and spreading disease... now I KNOW that it's not like that.  Believe me, I am not one to tackle any new challenge without doing the research (what did I do before google?).  I know that it doesn't mean poor hygiene, I know it's no reflection on my maternal skills (such as they are), I know they don't breed on bed linen... but eeeeewwww!  They are gross - and that is not just me reverting to my teenage slang, if you look at one of these blighters under a microscope they are grotesque.  Just the word is enough to make me start to scratch, I'm scratching as I sit here and we have been clear for a week and a half.  It was only ever Sam that had them, but the whole family got treated  (that was a fun night in) even though you cannot prevent them (only discourage - any questions, I'm your woman!) and you are only supposed to treat where there is a live louse (oh my god makes my skin crawl) and the stuff is bloody expensive... but I was a like a woman possessed, combing this child's hair for hours "I'm sorry it hurts but you just have to put up with - would you rather have your head crawling with bugs, feeding on the blood in your brain" cruel, I know (child sobbing "no, no I don't want them, don't let suck all the blood out my brain") but sometimes, you have to be cruel to be kind.  Whoever coined that phrase had to have had children in mind.

Anyway, it's all clear - for now.

But we have a new tradition on a Sunday night, it's hair combing night as I sit like a mother monkey pawing through my children's hair, looking for those tell tale signs, always on the look out for the trademark scratch.  (although not all people with lice scratch, only those whose skin reacts to the bite - it's amazing the knowledge that motherhood brings...)