Exceptions to the Rules

We live in a time and place that lives by the motto "More is Better" or "Bigger is Better."

We live in a time and place that teaches values, such as sharing, to our children.

We live in a time and place that we say family should always stick together...no matter what.

At first glance, it may seem that these are good things...great things even. But looks can be deceiving. I had a family yesterday that would beg to differ with the truth of the above statements.

You see, I admitted a 3 month old girl who had RSV...pretty bad RSV. She was having a hard time breathing, and it was looking like we were going to have to help her do that with a tube. The mom was having a really rough time watching her baby girl breath so hard.

But she was having a harder time trying to figure out how to divide her time and energy...her 2 year old son was in the room 2 doors down...also with RSV. He too was having a hard time breathing, and was crying for his mama!

So while "More" may be better, it is NOT better to have "more" than one kid sick at the same time!

It is not good to teach kids to share when it is germs that they are sharing back and forth!

It is not better to have families stick together so closely and always when it means that when one child gets admitted to the PICU, the other follows!

Maybe it should be said "More is better"...sometimes! Sharing toys is great...sharing germs is not! And families should stick together...except when it comes to hospital stays, jail, and death!

There is always the exception to the rule...in life, in families, even in the PICU!