Surviving sleepovers

Two weeks back in school after the new year and your child has ended up with lice. AGAIN. Family curse? Karma? Voodoo doll? Sigh. No, just the way it goes. You seem to be a frequent flyer with your local lice clinic and now, the lice is gone, but not forgotten.

But OMG-- next weekend is the sleepover birthday party of your kiddo's bestie. And seven long-haired children from their class will be there. With all their long hair worn down and loose. And of course, there will be photos taken. And of course, there will be games played like twister! The party will conclude with them all sleeping in a big pile on the floor sharing blankets and pillows. You consider going ahead and just booking the next treatment at the lice clinic. But then, a still small voice inside of you remembers your local lice goddess's advice. You cannot control whether or not all kids attending are lice-free. You cannot require they all wear their hair up in tight braids. Nor can you remotely expect your kid to not sleep in the big people pile with all the other party attendees. Since you do not want the rotten tomato parent of the year award, you cannot ban sleepovers entirely, no matter how desperately you desire to do just that. What you can control is the post-party routine. After pick up of your bleary eyed long haired ragamuffin, you can require a shower/head washing and then, do a quick comb thru with your Nit Free Terminator comb and see if they brought home any hair friends. You don't need to wait a week. Can you hear the dulcet tones of the lice goddess saying, "Adult bugs transfer. You can check right away." Knowing your terminator can also pull out eggs should bolster your courage and resolve as well.

Hone your skills. You will need 2 minutes max and you will know if you need the lice clinic on your speed dial or not.