With a spiffy new set of blistery calluses on my fingers. But they don't hurt to type any more, so it's back to work.
We explained to the boys that Mommy's hands hurt and that was why she wasn't holding books or picking up toys or getting food. Alex accepted this easily, turning to Dave when he wanted something.
Nathan had a little more trouble. He came up to me several times a day asking if my hands were feeling better. I explained that it takes a long time for burns to heal completely. Weeks and weeks. I showed him the blisters and explained this was how our bodies heal themselves by making a special cushion. And the cushions hurt to remind us to be gentle until we feel better.
Not sure how much he absorbed since he became obsessed with the blisters and afraid they were contagious. I would touch his hair and he would jerk away asking if he had blisters on his hair. He didn't want kisses. He didn't want to hold my hand. Again and again, I explained that the blisters weren't contagious, that he could touch them and they wouldn't go on his fingers.
It was good practice in taking his fears seriously even though I knew they were unfounded. I had Dave touch my hand and show Nathan that he didn't have a blister. We helped Nathan to touch them gently so that he could learn it was safe. Eventually he became more comfortable with the idea although I think it still lingers in the back of his mind. I think I struck the right balance between respecting his emotions while still educating him about the truth. Mommy-points to me.
Almost balancing out the careless points on the other side of the ledger.
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