Cranky. Whiny. Unable to handle frustration. Bursting into overwhelming tears when falling down. Just Can’t Deal.
When my kids get this way, my life gets immensely more difficult. What is a timely solution to this horror?
A year or so ago, I read an article (which has now been lost in the abyss of the internet, unable to be found now that I want to give it credit) about how hydration significantly reduced biting behaviors in children.
When kids are dehydrated, they just can’t deal. When that is taken care of, they can deal in more appropriate ways.
Now, I don’t know about you, but when my kids just can’t deal, they CERTAINLY can’t deal with having to drink a glass of water.
That’s when it hit me- Popsicles Solve Problems.
Effectively addressing the hydration problem with a frozen stick of tasty goodness (I usually make them out of, well, basically sugar-free koolaid packaged for adults). Popsicles solve problems.
And believe you me, they have. When my son is freaking out because someone has bloodied his nose, he’ll calm down when eating a popsicle. When kids are unable to find happiness in the play date any more, popsicles make them friends again. When waking up from a nap is the end of the world, popsicles hold off Armageddon.
Thank you, popsicles, for helping my kids deal.
Honestly, my kids aren’t the only ones who get cranky. Who get whiny. Who Just Can’t Deal. I’m guilty. When I’m feeling that way, I can’t just go blaming hydration (I drink massive amounts of water).
Spiritual dehydration. When my soul feels dry. Shriveled.
Jeremiah 2:13 says, “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
The temptation when I’m feeling taxed and empty is to do something to fix it. To run after people, activities, or even food, drink, or sleep, to complete what I am lacking. Hewing out cisterns for myself that won’t hold water.
More effective is to reach for the Living Water. John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” As I trust in God to fill me up when I am hopelessly dry, I will be sated enough to overflowing.
One Reply to “Popsicles Solve Problems”