Before it is too late.

Today my oldest son is going in for oral surgery to remove a lesion on his gums. It's a fairly common and easy procedure from what I've learned, so I'm not too worried about his safety in the doctors care. What I'm worried about is the care he'll receive from the nurse when he gets home... Me! I am not a medical person nor could I ever be one. If someone even gags I'm running to the nearest sink or restroom. So what am I getting at? Every mother who allows her children to explore the world around them or in this case has a child with a special need even if a temporary need, needs a first aid kit.

I've never had one. I have just had various items spread out between two bathrooms and a kitchen medicine basket. I also have two younger children who think Band-aids have this miraculous healing power that even if an arm falls off, slap a Band-aid on it and like a starfish it will grow right back. So keeping first aid supplies in stock can be a task of its own.

This past year I've learned something that has alluded me for over a decade of motherhood and three decades of me-ness. Planning is EVERYTHING! From planning meals to planning trips to planning what chore is done when, things are done and things are taken care of when you have taken the time to think it over. It all runs smoother.

So with today's appointment looming in the near future, it got me thinking about my nursing abilities and what I have on hand vs. what I should have on hand. So off I went on a hunt for first aid kits and I found this adorable DIY kit. This kit would work great for the car, in a purse/diaper bag, one for the kitchen, or anywhere else for that matter. You can find instructions on how to make this potholder & Ziploc bag turned first aid kit 'here' on Faith, Trust, and a little Pixie Dust.

Photo credit: Faith, Trust, and a little Pixie Dust

In my research, I also found this very helpful checklist for first aid kits found 'here'. It has over 10 basic things to keep on hand but also has many more items for anticipated needs, those items should be added to your discretion. We wouldn't want to carry around a 40lb first aid kit when trying to get to someone quickly, it would just slow us down. So add what you would feel necessary to assist someone until paramedics arrive.

With the New Year quickly approaching, I hope that we all can learn to plan for bad days when we still have good days to do so. It's been the best lesson I've learned here in 2012.