Frozen Tongue

Snow day today, and the kids were out in their heavy coats and boots, hats and gloves, making snowmen and snow angels and flying down the slick slide into eight-inch mounds left from last night's storm.

Then one of my kids came in. "Mom, my tongue feels funny." She stepped inside and stuck it out for me to examine. The bottom third down to the tip was red. A redder, slightly bloody line seemed to mark the healthy pink from the injured portion.

"What did you do?"

"I sucked on some ice and it stuck to my tongue, so I ripped it off." As she was retelling it, she started to relive it and realize the pain. In seconds she was screaming and weeping.

What first aid do you do for a tongue?

I googled for quick ideas, but couldn't hit on the right combination of words. Instead, I kept getting references to the flag pole scene in "A Christmas Story," which we no longer found amusing.

I phoned the doctor's office while trying to get her to relax and watch TV. A nurse returned my call and asked a few questions about the extent of the injury and how red it was. Then she admitted, "We hear about this year after year, but this is the first time I've ever had it really happen to someone!" She said it'll heal on its own. "Avoid citrus fruit and salty foods or it will sting."

Two of the kids--one was a guest--were still outside, so I stepped out and said, "Don't put any ice in your mouth. Nathalie did and it stuck to her tongue. She had to rip it out and it ripped off part of her tongue. You hear me?" They nodded.

A while later I realized those two were still outside. I looked in both the front and back yards, but couldn't see them. I stepped out the garage door and called for them. They appeared from behind the storage shed--sucking on icicles.

"Didn't I just say not to suck on ice?"

They shrugged and left the ice in their mouths!

"Spit it out and come inside!" I insisted. What was at work there, curiosity? Rebellion? Stupidity? Or did they just want to prove me wrong?

It's probably pretty simple psychology. I need to remember this, learn from it, and figure out how to apply what I learn to discussions about drinking and drugs and dating.