All the children had been called in to lunch. The sun was shining and soft spring breezes were blowing, so they had all been struck with spring fever. The books had been put away for the morning, and the children were all enjoying some fresh spring air outdoors. They all came piling in for lunch, and as we were seated around the table ready for our prayer, we realized the youngest one was not in his seat. Moments later, he came running through the front door and screeched to a halt at my chair. Poppee was patiently waiting to give thanks for the lunch, as Samuel excitedly babbled on, “Hurry, Mom, hurry! Get the “ant-i-biotics”! Quick! I need “ant-i-biotics”! He was doing a little jig and was wide-eyed and serious. I said, “Samuel, we are ready to eat, and Poppee is waiting to pray. What is the matter? Why would you need antibiotics? Is something wrong?” With his serious little face looking up into mine, and still fidgeting around, he said in desperation, “I need some ant-i-biotics. Hurry! I got ant bites!” It was one of those unforgettable moments as a mama that I might have missed had my children been out to play at the school recess yard. I was able to check his little feet, which were bitten randomly here and there by fire ants, and soothe them by rinsing them in cool water and then rubbing them with some herbal tea tree ointment (www.Puritan.com sells a great tea tree oil ointment). Tea tree ointment is also superb for minor burns—it almost instantly removes the pain and frequently prevents the blister from forming.

With a houseful of children at home every day, there are surely going to be some bumps, boo-boos, and bites that occur. We live on a large tract of acreage in the country, so we are assured our share of the minor accidents that happen in the big outdoors. In my years of mothering, I’ve discovered some wonderful home-style aids to comfort and soothe.

For bumps that might be helped with a cold pack, I take . cup rubbing alcohol and . cup water. Place the liquids into a sandwich size resealable heavy-duty plas- tic bag. Zip near to the end and then carefully press out any excess air trapped in the bag. Now take one more of the same type of bag, place it over the sealed bag of liquid, and seal it. This double-bags the solution for extra protection from leakage. With a permanent marker, Label the bag “BOO-BOO BAG.” You can place this in the side door compartment of the freezer and keep it handy for the next bump or boo-boo that might occur in your home. The rubbing alcohol prevents the water from freezing solid like an ice cube and leaves it soft and squishy and easy to use on a boo-boo. This might be a little too cold to put directly on the skin straight from the freezer. A nice little pouch for this bag is easily made by sewing two soft cotton washcloths together around three of the edges. Put a piece of Velcro on the open end and slide your BOO-BOO BAG into the pouch. Snap the Velcro piece closed and you have a soft covering for the ice-cold bag, ready to soothe the bump or bruise.

Sometimes bug bites get scratched too much by little itchy fingers and form a little scab. One summer one of my boys was asked while we were out shopping if he had the chicken pox! He had been spending so much time outdoors in the evenings that he had acquired a lot of pesky little bug bites. After scratching them too much, he had little scabs speckled all over his arms and legs and looked like a genuine pox patient! I like to use a soft gel vitamin E capsule to aid the healing of these little ailments. I prick the end with a large needle or snip off the end with a pair of small scissors. Then I gently squeeze out the liquid vitamin E and rub it on the bite. This works well on scratches too. It really helps heal up those scrapes, cuts, and bites in quick time. This will also help reduce scarring from scrapes if applied regularly while the area is healing.

Some aches and bumps could use a little heat to soothe. We like to use a homemade Cozy Caterpillar to apply gentle, comforting heat to these achy spots. Cut two pieces of cotton fabric 3" × 10". Sew them together on three sides. Fill with rice and stitch the ends closed. You can take this stuffed “caterpillar” and place it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and you have a soothing Cozy Caterpillar that will stay warm for nearly 45 minutes. If you add a scant teaspoon of essential oil and mix it well with the rice, every time the Cozy Caterpillar is heated it will release a relaxing, pleasant scent. Be sure the scent is one that is pleasing to the family. Our favorite scent is peppermint. A variety of herbal essential oils can be purchased through Frontier Herbs (1-800-669-3275).

Summer brings on the buzzing of insects, and some of them have pesky stingers! Whenever any of my children is stung by a wasp, hornet, or bee, we immediately make a concoction that soothes and draws out the stingy poison. Drop a heaping tablespoon of baking soda into a small bowl. Pour a small amount of vinegar over it until it is thick and pasty and can be dabbed all over the sting area. Let the white “glob” of baking soda and vinegar stand on the sting for 5 minutes and then rinse with cool water. If a sting is treated this way immediately, the swelling will be greatly reduced and most of the pain will be relieved. Of course, if anyone has allergies to stings, medical treatment should be sought immediately.

Cozy Caterpillars and Boo-boo Bag pouches are not only a child-friendly way to ease the cuts and bruises that come with summer play, but they also make great gift ideas. They are simple to make and easy for a child to decorate and give to a friend or relative for a birthday or just an “anytime” gift. Older people enjoy them as well, because sometimes their aches and pains are relieved by either hot or cold compresses. If you have a new family join your church or move in next door, you can put together a little “welcome” basket and include your homemade items, along with instructions, some ointment, some vitamin E capsules, and a loaf of homemade bread or some fresh-baked cookies. Aches and pains are a part of life, but they are also a potential for service and an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. When we minister to our little ones or others, it is the same as ministering to the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Matthew 25:40.)

Disclaimer: None of the above is intended as professional medical advice. In any instance of serious injury or accident, see your physician.

Martha is the helpmeet to Roger, and they have been blessed with 11 wonderful children. They make their home in rural South Carolina on a 126-acre homestead. Marmee’s Kitchen is Martha’s home business, where she seeks to encourage and mentor women in their roles as homekeepers. Roger and Martha also own a small publishing company, Greene Acres Publications. Martha is fervently working on her eighth publication. She sends out a free monthly e-newsletter titled Marmee’s Home Journal. You can subscribe on the home page of www.MarmeesKitchen.com. You are welcome to visit Martha anytime in her kitchen at www.MarmeesKitchen.com.