On monkeys in hospitals and giving birth to a third child

This week, we had to deal with an unexpected health crisis.



I took the Junebug to visit my husband in the hospital, and he sweetly snuggled with him on the bed.

But later, when I took the Junebug and the Man-cub together to visit their dad (quite mellowed out by two painkillers), the boys climbed on and off the bed, pulled on the window blinds, pushed every button they could find, opened and closed the bathroom door, played with the lever on a chair, turned the lights on and off, ran down hallways and were generally too loud. Even though I laid out my expectations for their behavior beforehand and told them not to be so rambunctious in the hospital, I guess the excitement of being there trumped the excitement of seeing their dad for the first time in over a day. (Sorry, honey.)

Now I can see why, when I was little, hospitals didn't allow young children to visit....

Mainly, though, I think there's something to the "monkey see, monkey do" dynamic. (There must be a good sociology term for this.) One child by himself or herself can behave quite nicely. Get two or more of them together, however, and anyplace becomes a playground.

I have learned my lesson. No more taking two boys to the hospital. Or mostly anywhere. Or maybe the lesson is No More Hospitalizations.

But if my husband wants to be the next one in the family to give birth, that's fine by me.