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The Power of the Popsicle: My Mother on Raising Babies

The Power of the Popsicle: My Mother on Raising Babies

Last updated on: September 25, 2026 at 11:31 am by Christy Thomas

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The Power of the Popsicle: My Mother on Raising Babies 2026-09-25T11:31:48-05:00 Christy Thomas

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Did you know a popsicle can cure all ills? Read on and find out!

Grandma and a popsicle

Image generated by OpenAI ChatGPT

I’m cleaning out computer files and found something I had written for a baby shower for my niece. Apparently we were supposed to write out the best advice we ever got from our mothers.

Here’s what I came up with:

I’ve been racking my brain for advice from my mother on raising babies. I honestly can’t remember any real words of wisdom. She offered a ton of encouragement and was a wonderful help when the boys got older. She wasn’t very good with the little ones, but as soon as they could play cards, she would play endless casino games with them and teach them their numbers and how to count by doing so.

But, as I think about it, the best piece of advice was that Popsicles could cure anything. When the boys used to get ear infections or colds, she would bring over a box of those frozen treats, telling them that slowly eating one would make them well. To this day, my sons, now all adults, think that a Popsicle will make them well. And, as far as I can tell, it does!

So here’s the sum of what she taught me, although in different words: never underestimate the power of a good-tasting popsicle!

Feel free to pass on this piece of profound advice!

Family, Parenting and Religion

good tasting placebos

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