Thum

On Saturday, I took Brooklyn to Instacare for antibiotics #3 for her earaches. While at Target Pharmacy I see behind their shelf, on the counter, a little bottle called, "Thum." Well, it's stuff you put on fingers to help stop sucking your thumb and biting your nails. As all of you know, Brooklyn has a pretty bad habit of thumb sucking and hair twirling, and for $2.99 I thought I'd give it a try. (Now remember Brooklyn hasn't slept real well because of her earache.)

So by the time we get home from the pharmacy, it's time to eat lunch and take a nap. While Brooklyn is playing on the floor, I paint this stuff on her finger and her thumb because, well, heck, I want her to stop sucking her thumb right.

Well, I go downstairs and Chad attempts to put Brooklyn down for her nap. As she puts her finger in her mouth, she starts crying that it's spicy and runs and puts the thumb into a glass of water on the counter. At which point Chad goes and gets the bottle and reads the ingredients and directions and asks me if I have done the same. Let me share:

Directions: Apply to dry FINGERNAILS twice a day to help break the habit of nail biting and thumb sucking.

Ingredients: Cayenne pepper extract, citric acid, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, lacquer.

Caution: Thum rubbed on eyes will cause stinging, relieve by washing with cold water. Do not use on babies too young to realize repeated rubbing causes stinging. If evidence of skin irritation appears, discontinue use and apply cream or lotion. Thum is flammable: keep away from heat and open flame. Thum will stain clothing and furniture finishes.

So smart me, puts this not only on her nails, but entire thumb, while she is sick, without explaining to her what I am doing.

Needless to say, Brooklyn didn't get a nap that day, her thumb was red, swollen, and sore, and I have had to repeatedly promise not to use that stuff again. She was able to taste it for over 12 hours. Most of all Chad and I got a good laugh and I have probably blown a good chance to stop sucking her thumb.

Note to all thumb sucking moms: Thum is dangerous. Before using, explain what you're doing, don't use when your kid's sick, and most of all don't put it anywhere but on the nail! Enjoy a good laugh on me!