The “magic” cure.
When I was a public school teacher, I had around twenty-six fourth graders in my classroom. I loved teaching and my students. After recess, the smell of wet puppies warmly greeted me (ask any elementary school teacher; this is true – ha), along with their smiling faces. It did not matter how cold it was; it seemed the students always got hot and sweaty playing outside. Inevitably, one or two students would mention that their heads hurt a little. I was raised in a family that did not make a big deal when I did not feel well, and my mom always seemed to think of a simple solution that made me feel better. Often, it was, “I bet you’re a little dehydrated. Go get a drink of water.” So, this stuck with me, and I tried it with my fourth graders. When a student mentioned his head hurt, I would say with a caring voice that I bet he was dehydrated and to go get a drink of water. It almost always was the “magic cure.” Often, I found the student just needed a little “TLC” (tender loving care). I tried to always keep in mind that I might be unaware of what the student was feeling. Maybe a classmate had made the student feel left out at recess, maybe the child did not sleep well, or maybe difficult things were going on at home. When a student mentioned not feeling well, I always listened carefully and let the child know I cared. Then I offered the “magic cure,” which usually did the trick.
Dehydration is a real thing, and I do not mean to act like it is not real. After the kids run and play, they need extra water. It is common sense. However, sometimes children need a little extra attention and to know you have their back – you care. Obviously, with your own children, you can recognize when they really do not feel well versus when they need a little extra TLC. With my own kids, I used this “magic cure” when they were young and found it very effective. Instead of running the medicine cabinet, water is a great solution, and it makes a wonderful “magic cure.”
Blessings,
Jeanne
Copyright 2025
