I've used the zinc stuff a few times, but it always feels like it's eating the lining off my tongue and numbing my taste buds. It may be worth it this weekend, though. I'll pick some up on the way to the hotel.

I just suggest taking it on a full stomach. If I take it on an empty stomach, I get kind of nauseous.

There are some, I think, that are candy-coated, iirc.

I'm really unsympathetic to the babies crying at separation. Almost certainly because I had to endure so much of it dropping Emmett off at his second daycare (from age 1-3). And it was totally wrenching and was a shitty way to start my days.

Aside from my resentment about that, the reality is that they almost always calm down shortly after you go, and are completely fine all day and happy to see you when you return.

Emmett's godmother gave me good advice about crying which I kept turning to for perspective. She said, "They only have one way to control their environment and that's through crying. Their job is to get what they want. Your job is to set boundaries. What they want isn't always what they need. And you have to make time for yourself. They'll protest but it doesn't hurt them."

YIKES! Oh, I would have wanted to muzzle the big kid. Sheesh.

Yeah. I told him to clean up the blocks, then took the little one into another room and settled him in with a sippy cup and a Dora video. About ten minutes later, when the hysterics had settled down to whimpering, the older brother came in with the little one's blankie and gave it to him, then gave him a hug.

This weekend is the first time either of us will have been away from Annabel overnight. She's never had major separation anxiety issues, but I'm still a little nervous about it.

brenda, those are hid-e-ous. I feel bad for you having to see them all day.

It's even worse than that. More like these [link] with a high wedge heel. Save me.

and the older one screamed at him, "Mommy's never coming home. NEVER EVER!" I have never seen hysterics in a little kid like what the little one went into then.

Alright, that is hysterically funny since I wasn't the one there. That kid could grow up to be Marty Blank.

We cried like hell when our Mother left... but it probably had to do a lot with people and houses disappearing pretty regularly for a couple of years there. I don't know how my Mother survived it.

I had way worse separation issues than my kids did, whenever I/we left them overnight (which wasn't nearly often enough).

Everybody ready for a quick critique? I need to get my thank you notes in the mail ASAP (ideally, yesterday or the day before - my week has been such crap!) for my interview, and I'm feeling uninspired. How's this for the text of the note(s)?

Thank you for meeting with me on Tuesday. It was a pleasure to speak with you about what's going on at CompanyName, and the direction in which it is headed. It sounds like a company with a promising future. I look forward to speaking with you again.

I can't put my finger on it, but it feels slightly ferwonky. Comments? Suggestions?

It's even worse than that. More like these [link] with a high wedge heel. Save me.

I might have been able to stifle the gag reflex. Until the high wedge heel. Gaah. You know what the Bible says to do if thine eye offends thee, right? Might be your only line of defense. Unless we could arrange for someone to pluck out the boots. Yick.