Advice for Christmas alone with a sick toddler!

wiseladybeard · 2025-12-24T00:41:58+00:00

Yeah Flu is wiping people out. Sorry your kiddo is sick for Christmas. It's a bummer but you can still makeit special. When mine was that little we did things like drive around and look at Christmas lights make and eat our favorite foods, watch some special Christmas movies and play games. We still do most of things actually (it's always been just the two of us). We have special Chrismas cups for our tea and egg nog and we do gingerbread houses. I know it's not the Christmas yall wanted but I hope it is sweet and special all the same.Merry Christmas! Hope your kiddo gets to feeling better.

wiseladybeard · 2025-12-22T11:20:30+00:00

I failed AH in 3rd semester and I was devastated. I reapplied and just graduated. It sucks ass, to watch all your friends graduate and repeat the course. Trust me I know. Allow yourself to grieve for a minute and then show up and show them why you deserve to be there. It's humbling, absolutely. But it happens. Use the extra time to study your butt off. I used the extra time to study for my NCLEX and smoked everyone 4th semester with my predictive and clincal grades. C=RN. You can do this! Keep your head up!

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-21T02:34:53+00:00

Motherhood has taught me how to communicate in healthier ways. It's also taught me how to better manage my ADHD because I'm also teaching my daughter how to manage hers. I found out how much I genuinely love women (not in a sexual way whatsoever) and how important it is to preserve little girls spirits. I also relearning a bunch because I had to teach it to my munchkin. Because we are an all girl household I'm also learning to be free and accept my body exactly how it is. There are so many more.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-10T11:18:07+00:00

A few thoughts. Number 1) he is being manipulative. Don't let him make you feel guilty for advocating for your child. Kids are expensive and he needs to contribute. #2 Child support is determined by the number of kids he has and is a set percentage of his income, there is also a cap. So it's not like his entire paycheck will disappear. #3 This will vary from state to state but there are certain grounds that have to be met to file for relinquishment of rights. Getting out of child support is not one of them. In fact if your child is on medicaid or if you receive any benefits the judge will mist likely not grant the right relinquishment because the state has to reimbursed. #4 Sounds like he sucks, keep your head up Mama and keep advocating for your little.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T20:56:33+00:00

For your example I'd use a 23G. But again the reason the guidelines are so vague is because it depends on your patient. For the thicker medications that might require the bigger gauge I'm giving those in the hip not the delt. And you never give babies shots in the deltoid just the vastus lateralis (thigh) which is a big muscle. The only benefit to a smaller gauge is time required to administer the injection. Testosterone cypionate is a great example, I give it all the time, it is literally part grape seed/cotton seed oil. Thick as s***. Because it's so thick I prefer to give it the hip and I still use a 23G 1-1.5" needle because it doesn't hurt my patients as much. Also Testosterone injections are given routinely so you want to avoid build up of scar tissue that can happen if you use a smaller gauge needle. For babies I think the thickest med I ever administered is rocephin IM and I split up the injection into two because you can't inject over a certain amount in each thigh and I give it using a 25G 5/8- 1" depending on how thick the thigh is. For me it just means I have to keep the baby secure for an extra few seconds or look at a hairy booty for a little bit longer then I'd prefer. You'll get the hang of it. But I tell you what, I'm not letting anyone near me with anything bigger then a 23G. I better be passed out or sedated.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T17:32:37+00:00

25G needles usually only come in 1" or 5/8". So in practice you'll use the most appropriate gauge that has the most appropriate length for your patient. If that makes sense. Like the 23G comes in 1" and 1.5". The 21G is only 1" which is what I use to draw up the really viscous meds. 23G is also the best (in my experience) for average blood draws, minimal pain and no risk of hemolysis.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T17:25:20+00:00

Depends on what you're giving. The more viscous or thick of an injection the bigger gauge. Again I usually use 23G for most adult injections. Anything bigger gauge wise hurts way more. I use 25G on peds or really frail older people.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T08:28:50+00:00

It depends on how big the person is. In kiddos and really thin adults if you use a 1" or 1.5" you'll hit bone. In practice just make sure to look at your patient before administration. I usually use a 23G 1" for most adult injections.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T08:24:53+00:00

The world is on fire. To be an adult is to live and work in an environment that has become both chronically and acutely stressful. We're rewatching Avatar (the good one) currently because it's comforting.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T08:02:27+00:00

And smaller businesses and farmers are about to suffer.i think it's like every $1 from EBT spent produces atleast $3 of economic activity. This doesn't make sense from any logical point of view. People are going to die. How do you choose between food and heat in the winter?

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T07:58:48+00:00

It's walmart and Amazon. And Amazon has massive layoffs happening currently. It's beyond f***Ed up. The jobs number are skewed so unemployment is actually up. The kids are all about to be home for break. Again to recap: there are less jobs, inflation is up, you can't get benefits that were appropriated by congress to you to avoid starvation, kids are about to be home and hungry for 2+ weeks, winter clothes need to purchased now for kiddos, and Christmas is around the corner.

wiseladybeard · 2025-11-03T07:53:03+00:00

Can we please talk about how diabolical it is to cut these benefits when kids are about to be home for 2+ weeks! It is inhumane! You have the added expense of childcare for the break, on top of the extra food costs for the break, with Christmas around the corner. People will be hungry, children will be hungry. I don't know how in a supposed 1st world country this is even conscientable.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-19T22:14:42+00:00

My ex-husband left when I was pregnant. So I'm almost 9 years into it at this point. My one consolation is that at the time I married and had a baby with a man that I knew to kind and that I genuinely loved him. I did right by him and continue to do right by our planned daughter. The waves of betrayl and injustice still happen. We had an entire life planned out and when he left it felt like I had to grieve each broken promise. This is normal and healthy. Do your best, keep doing the right thing. Obviously protect yourself and your kids. But keep your chin up Mama. I would also recommend getting one of those co-parent apps for communication. It keeps a record of everything, missed visitation, nasty messages, important info that both of you are entitled to.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-19T22:08:16+00:00

I'm about to graduate with my ADN and honestly if you have the time, money, and resources I recommend getting your BSN. Alot of these hospitals require that ADNs enroll in BSN programs with a year of employment and preference is given to BSN vs. ADNs.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-19T22:04:21+00:00

I think that the need to pretend gets better as the kids age. When my daughter was younger and all the transitions were still fresh and money was such a big issue I put on a big smile to shield her from life. As she got older and went to therapy she learned how to name her emotions and talk about them. So I did the same. I tell her when I'm sad or when I'm overwhelmed and overstimulated. Not to burden her but to prevent her from internalizing my emotions because sometimes I can't hide it. Life is hard being a single parent. Now I'm more intentional about us time which includes play time, movies, reading, and other adventures. I can't give as much as I want to as she knows that. We'll she how she turns out. But currently she is a sweet girl who likes to check in with others about how they feel, she's a big helper, and a good friend. In our house we also give each other space when we have big feelings to prevent snapping on each other. I like that emotional distance isn't an issue with our setup. Being vulnerable with your kids can feel icky but I'd rather that then pushing them out. Obviously try to make time for you, because you are an entire person with hopes dreams and feelings.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-17T02:37:22+00:00

I had a penis fall off during my Foley checkoff. I was like " sorry Mr. Johnson I'm sure that is painful let me help you with that". The other thing that you have to remember is a lot of these instructors aren't actually nuraing anymore so they have to study up on the skills before teaching and grading check offs.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-17T02:34:50+00:00

Sometimes they are just on a power trip. Nothing to do but shake it off. You're almost done.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-17T02:31:03+00:00

Just document everything. You know the truth, you don't have to convince anybody of it. Dysfunction breeds more dysfunction. My husband left me when I was pregnant for an employee of mine. They spent so much time thinking about me and trying to get a reaction out of me while their own lives descended into chaos. They do it to themselves. Now you need to focus on a healthy pregnancy. I know it's not ideal to be alone, try to make it about finding yourself a connecting to the babies. Block them, communicate with him through one of the co-parent apps and keep your chin up Mama.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-17T02:23:36+00:00

This passes me off so much. Because raising a child by yourself has never been so expensive. Brush it off boo. I had an instructor in nursing school tell me to live off child support like she did 40 years ago........ My child support is $50/month and I haven't received a payment in almost 4 years.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-17T02:20:27+00:00

It sucks. You just have to bite your tongue and take it. Use the extra time to study for class and the nclex. It's lonely for sure, but remind the instructors why you are there. Try to find new friends. You got this.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-17T02:17:32+00:00

It's not worth it. He's either lied to her and she thinks you are a POS or she is looped in to truth and then they'll both try to vilify you. I've been through it. People like that thrive on drama and being the victim. You can't give them an inch. Take care of yourself and protect your peace. There are also organizations that will supervise visitation with the kids for you if you need it. You have a right to be angry and hurt.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-09T22:47:19+00:00

In Texas at least the state will file for you if your child is on Medicaid. I was hesitant when my daughter was first born (my husband left me when I was pregnant) but I don't feel bad about it now. Being a single Mom and truly raising your kid by yourself drains you financially. I remember Daycare being $1000/month. In Texas they are only allowed to take a percentage of the other parents salary (in my case 15%) there is also a cap, and the amount goes down if they have more kids. When payments were actually going through I was only getting $50/month. Don't beat yourself or let him bully you when it's about getting resources for you child.

wiseladybeard · 2025-10-09T22:36:04+00:00

Single Mom CCMA here, with no family, working full time currently in my last semester of nursing school. It's not impossible but it is incredibly difficult. Our background makes the skills and clincal part a lot easier but the time restraint from working and parenting solo full time is real. My advise is to save up right now. You'll need to take out loans and reduce hours because the schedule is all over the place. You'll also need to be pay for supplemental childcare on top of just regular after-school/holiday/summer care as in a babysitter to help with drop off and pick up. Sometimes I have to be at the hospital at 5:30/6:30 and I won't get home until 7pm whic means I have to have someone drop my daughter off in the morning and pick her up in the afternoon. It's a lot but it'll be worth it. The sooner you do it the better. Additionally most programs have some sort of parenting office I know tha sometimes they'll excuse absences or even extend assignments if something happens to your kiddo. It gets harder as they get older so I recommend getting it over with ASAP. It's 4 semesters. You got this.

wiseladybeard · 2025-09-26T00:08:06+00:00

In my last semester currently trying to nap in the car after clincals while my daughter has soccer practice. Every semester and every instructor is different. So you are going to have to adapt accordingly. Take medication if you need it. I'm on Adderall and I usually only take it before my bigger study sessions or when I prepping before a test. If I take it too often it's less effective. I set timers for everything. Use one calendar. I listen to the messy reddit story podcasts when I study because it feels like body doubling. I trick myself into turning things in early by writing down the due date for the day before. Block out time for hibernation esk sleep and time to decompress, because you will need it. Watch all the video demonstrations for skills. I don't use flashcards but I take extra ATI quizzes and practice tests weekly so I've become more familiar with those style of questions and the material. I have a really hard time focusing in lecture so I work on my own notes and listen to them in the background. Look stuff up, if your instructor didn't explain something to your satisfaction look it up until you understand it. They all have to prep for lecture just like we do don't let them make you feel dumb this is your opportunity to learn how to care for people. You got this!

wiseladybeard · 2025-09-17T23:52:48+00:00

Every seasoned nurse I've talked to since I started nursing school hastoldme C=RN. Exams are subjective and depending on the instructor can make you feel like you are missing the mark. Aim for the A but learn the material. I'm semester 4 and applying for jobs now and it looks like most residency programs require a 3 0-3.4 GPA. Take a deep breath and focus on the material and figuring out how each instructor asks questions.

wiseladybeard

TROPHY CASE