Overprotective charge just cheap shot against this mom

My kids just accused me of being an over-protective mom. Me, over-protective? I don't think so. I mean just because I ask my daughter to wear a mohair sweater when the first Autumn leaf falls or just because I ask my son to crush Vitamin C Tablets and add them to his daily quart of Orange Juice, doesn't mean I'm over-protective, does it?

Sure, I ask them to wash their hands before they answer the phone and to gargle with antiseptic but they should expect that.

I mean, after all, I'm not only a mother (who knows best) but I'm a registered nurse. I know every germ that can find its way into my house. I've dealt with them personally. I've seen throats that would pass for the Grand Canyon. I've listened to lungs that even Moses couldn't dry up.

I guess that explains why every time my daughter does the Macarena, I watch for muscle pulls, and every time my son yawns, I head for the oral thermometer. (You never know)

Last week we had a guest. I survived the shoes that tread the carpet, the used Kleenex which she graciously stuffed back into her purse, and the tossed chewing gum but-

I had to protest when she lit a cigarette.

To my surprise the kids agreed with my no-smoking Policy. "We don't want you inhaling secondhand smoke, Mom." They confessed. Could it be my kids are over-protective. . . I'll have to think about that one.