My four year old apparently loves the taste of Motrin -- she asks for it ("the purple medicine") most days, though she doesn't have any symptoms other than the ones she invents on the fly ("my tummy is burping.") When she doesn't get it, she often throws a tantrum. How do I communicate to her that I care about how she feels, while still withholding medicine she doesn't really need?

Why would a four year old ever know what Motrin tastes like?

Just wanted to say that I am a (fairly) new mom living/working in Baltimore and am looking forward to reading (and commenting?) on this blog. I'd love to see discussions about fun, free/cheap things to do with young kids in Baltimore. Thanks!

Where are the best resources for finding quality daycare in the area? I've used the Baltimore's Child website, but I have a hard time believing that it is comprehensive. Also, it is just a long list and does not have any interactive tools for sorting, filtering, etc. Is there a better resource out there? I'd love it if I could read reviews on daycare centers somewhere... Maybe I'm dreaming of something that just hasn't been created yet.

This comment is regarding the 4 year that loves Motrin. As a former pediatric nurse and mother of 4, I think one of the most important things we can do when it comes to medicine is to be very simple and clear that it IS medicine. Not candy or something yummy, although most medicines today taste pretty good. Even though it makes us feel better when we are sick, it can hurt us if we are not. Also, a very large number of young children have been given Motrin for various ailments such as fever, ear pain resulting from infection, broken bones, etc. I do not find it unusual that a 4 year has taken Motrin......now if she were asking for the Nyquil.......

I agree 100% with Amy. Both of my children (one is 3.5 and one is about to turn 2) are familiar with motrin and the fact that it comes in the original orange color and flavor, grape, cherry and bubble gum. Both have had it for fevers, ear infections, strep throat pain, etc....My son also asks for the bubble gum medicine especially when he knows he has to get something much worse like the Augmentin he is currently being subjected to. But we are very clear that it is for fevers and pain only and that he can have a piece of bubble gum instead or whatever else might be flavorful like a lollipop. All meds are kept high out of reach.

I second Kate (not Shatzkin). I think that is a terrific resource and I look forward to checking back frequently. I love the pictures.

I can see the issue here. Lately, I have been buying the vitamins that come in gummy form. They taste just like any other gummy bear or gummy candy. The problem is: a child can overdose on many of the vitamins that are contained in the product, such as vitamin D and iron. These are dangerous in high doses, but it would be so very easy to eat a full bottle of these vitamins. I know this, because I love to take my vitamins every day, as does my husband and my son. My son asked me about taking more than two (the recommended dosage) and I let him know about overdosing on vitamins and how painful it probably would be. He doesn't take more than two now, but he is a teenager, so reason and logic is much easier to get through to him. I can't imagine how hard it would be to discuss this with a child. I would think if he was that young, I would lock up his vitamins along with any other dangerous medications in the house. Lock and key... where little fingers can not pry open and get themselves in trouble.