A short wile ago I received a letter from L's school. Someone in her class had lice. That same day they checked everyone's hair. Ever since L has been itching her head. I checked continually. There was never any signs. She continued itching. I still think most of it was an anxiety reaction to the school's no nonsense way of explaining to my daughter what lice is. They do not have a clue the impact that an anxiety disorder can have on a child (and her family).
I checked, but I did not actually think that my daughter was going to get lice. Then today we were sitting down at church and L would not stop itching her head. When she itches I check, except this time I noticed white stuff. Was it dandruff? But why is there also this brown stuff that looks like splinters. I sat looking at her head trying to figure out if I should be concerned. Then I saw an actual bug.
I practically jumped up and ushered my children out. We made it outside before my oldest two even knew what was going on. L knew, she had already figured it out and was trying not to freak.
Two very important things to know. I have never delt with lice as a parent. I HATE bugs. Bugs that are outside I can try and cope with, bugs in my house I do not cope with, bugs on my body cause a full on panic attack. Except I am the mom, and I was trying to stop the panic attacks.
My quick google search told me to put olive oil on her head and comb them out. That was worthless. Faced with the bugs I did not even hesitate to go to the store (on a Sunday) and buy bottles of pure chemical horribleness. They may be horrible, but they have seemed to work.
After she rinsed her head the tub was sprinkled with the gross bugs.
Then I combed. And combed. And combed.
After two and a half hours neither of us could do it any more.
I still had two other children's hair to deal with and a house. I checked J's hair. It looked good. To be safe I shaved his hair very short, he needed a hair cut anyway. Then I made him wash his hair.
Next I did the same thing with S. She also wears her hair pretty short. Taking care of her hair is still a bit above her hygiene skill for now. Since she still has hair, although short, I combed through her hair as well. All was good.
Next was my hair. I also wear my hair short. I do not like the feeling of hair. I cut my hair, washed it, and combed it. I was clear also. Yeah.
While I was working on hair I attempted to have the children strip off their bedding and pick up their room so I could vacuume. S helped the most, only crying once or twice. Even L was holding it together and helping out. J however decided now was a good time to break down. I get the kid is tired, he has not slept in a week, but with a 1:3 ratio everyone has to help out. He did not.
L continued to do good while I brushed her hair out a second time, it looked so much better. Not even one bug, and only a few brown things. She lasted until six, at which point she started crying and screaming about how she did not want to have lice. I was very proud that she had managed to last so long and even during her attack she did not try and hurt anyone. It was a bit heartbreaking. To help her calm down we watched My Little Pony together.
Then the reality of everything I did not do, because I was dealing with lice, came crashing down. I have mountains of laundry and no washer and dryer. Because J could not hold it together we could not make it to a laundry mat. There was also lunches and dishes. I did what had to be done. Now I am beat and headed to bed early.
(The picture is a note L wrote on her bed. Yes actually on her mattress. I did remind her we do not write on furniture,but she was trying so hard to hold it together I left it at that.)
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