I refuse to believe that I’m the only mom with accident prone children. Some kids are rough and tumble while others are more docile. I have two rough and tumbles. Our summer evenings end with advanced wound care and sliver extraction and our mornings begin with a fresh application of Neosporin and a bandage change.
Most of the bumps, bruises, and bleeding that stops eventually can be fixed with a “suck it up” or a kiss, but sometimes they actually get hurt so bad they cry.
About a month ago my friend Liz at A Belle, Bean, and Chicago Dog reviewed a product and I commented that I could really use it because my kids at the time looked liked this:
Guess what? The company contacted me and sent me my very own provided I reviewed the product (without swearing).
What is it you ask, that I would temporarily abandon my signature offensiveness?
It’s a Bucky Woopsie from Backcare Basics. Specifically, this is Arble. There are 5 different Bucky Woopsies in in the line of buckwheat filled pouches designed to stick in the freezer or microwave for hot or cold therapy for those little mishaps. Bee stings, sunburns, bumps, bruises, fingertip amputations…the usual.
The nice folks at Backcare Basics let us choose which Woopsie we wanted to try. I’m a little suspicious that they knew the riot that was going to ensue amongst my children so that when I got it I would immediately see that I needed two more to satisfy everyone and to treat the injuries of the smack down over poor Arble. Hmmm, I have heard the first hit of crack is always free.
It wasn’t much better when we got poor Arble to tell you the truth. The kids went crazy when we picked him up from the post office. My 12 year old is trying to read the literature out loud over my two smaller kids in the car seats each screaming “my turn” and I’ll I can think is “Does Nurse Jackie ever hide Xanax in the freezer?”.
You can use the Woopsie for both hot and cold therapy, but I have only used it for cold therapy. You throw it in the freezer in a plastic bag for at least an hour and when your kid hurt, it makes them feel better.
In the span of a week it has not been tested on a severe wound and I suspect it doesn’t stay cold long enough for a huge contusion (see exhibit A above). However, I think it is perfect for minor bumps and bruises and my kids just love it. It’s not as cold as a regular ice pack and the cover feels nice on their skin.
The kids actually look forward to using it at this point so they grab it every time they stub their toe. It’s kind of like getting a new box of cartoon band-aids.
However, they are not always asking when they grab Arble, and I was a little concerned when I found him on the counter like this.
Horrified to discover the source of the bleeding was the neighbor kid, I immediately went over some ground rules with the kids and reminded them that Arble was good, but not magic and I still needed to inspect bleeding.
I’m happy to report that the blood stain easily washed out and Arble is now hanging out waiting to report for duty.
At our house, Arble is causing quite a few altercations, but so do any new toys. For my kids, though, I think it will be a good distraction when they do get hurt. In the long run, at $11.95 I think it’s cheaper and more environmentally friendly than a gazillion unnecessary band-aids.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go construct a splint out of two tree branches because someone is screaming about a compound fracture. Woopsie.
Poppy
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I love this and think I need Arble sent to my house. I stubbed my toe. And it's my turn.
It will also make my husband feel better about when my son bumps his head. Alex thinks he can run now (he can't) and falls down. David needs more comforting about these falls than Alex does.
I also have accident prone kids! I have a Woopsie coming my way for review, too! Tater needs it for sure.
You know what? I have four boys and have never had the kind of injuries that your kids have. I don't know if I'm just lucky or if you need to be investigated.
i like that you posed arble in places like your clothes line to take his photo.
You bring up a good point, it does save money and landfill space by preventing the eleventy hundred band-aids we go through. Despite our very strive only if blood is oozing like strawberry jam rule band-aids are in non-stop demand.
Adorable…
I was waiting for a closing 'F*ck' at least! I hope you got Arble HIV tested after that bloody encounter. You never know with neighbor kids today.
I love the strawberry jam analogy, I may borrow it. They won't listen to me, but I like it.
Thanks, but that was not just for show. I actually hung it out to dry after the neighbor kid bled all over it.
http://www.co.clark.wa.us/child-abuse-intervention/faq.html#1
If you feel you must report me, I certainly understand.
I definitely think David needs a Woopsie.
I probably need one or two or ten of those, my kids are rarely without injury! Bleeding sort of makes me gag though. Especially if it's not someone I gave birth to. I'm not your girl!
Probably no match for a shark bite.
Okay, the funniest part of this post is where you post the link to the child abuse prevention site. I about died.
And it must run in the distant family branches, because Will is completely accident prone. And am I a bad mom because it makes me mad when he hurts himself? I mean, first I make sure he isn't going to need major medical intervention, but then I am pissed because he just doesn't watch where he is going or pay any attention and it just irritates me.
You know you are soooo a celebrity when you're asked to review a product!…oh, and you know you're kids are accident prone.
Great review Poppy, I was particularly impressed with your restraint of the use of the word 'fuck.' Not sure I could have pulled this off with the same amount of professionalism and expertise that you did. Congrats!
I can usually get through a parent-teacher conference without dropping an F bomb too. Nursing school though? No effing way.
Of course it doesn't make you a bad mother because seriously an injury can really mess with your schedule. Who wants to take a toddler and an infant to the ER when Mad Men is on? Watch where you are going kid!!!! Though I have to admit I was/am totally clumsy so they might get it from me.
Almost makes me wish my two were more accident prone….they are very cute! The Woopise, I mean.