Huge hun!

Here's a bit of a different view. I have to take medication for life to supplement my failing thyroid gland. Not only do i have to take it, i have to take it on an empty stomach and i cannot eat for at least 30mins after taking it. For this reason DD usually has 2 breakfasts, one when she wakes and one when i have mine (she eats my toast, so i just make an extra slice ). But it's a "thing" that mama takes meds, because it stops us eating our first meal together.

She too went through a phase of saying "gonna take a mama pill" and talking about it, and picking up odd bits of felt or card and putting it in her mouth, but i never tell her i'm sick. It's not strictly true anyway, because i don't take meds because i'm sick, i take them to stay well. Anyway she is now old enough to have one of those chewy multivitamins and she has hers every morning when i have my medication. She asks for it "orange-circle-guy".

The medication i'm on could kill her if she took it, and for that reason i HAVE to talk to her about it being dangerous for her. I've let her feel my thyroid in my throat and explained that it's a bit broken and needs a pill to help it, but that hers (put her hand to her own throat) is perfect and the pills to help mama would make her very sick.

Anyway, up until i got a running injury that actually NEEDED anti-inflammatory's to heal, i hadn't taken any kind of painkiller even for over 8 years! I NEVER take pills. I haven't taken paracetamol for nearly a decade. And yet i'm popping pills every day as far as she sees. I am confident however, that i can show her the fullness of my policy on medication as time goes on.

Try not to focus on it or worry about it too much. Young children often follow what is happening and try to "fit in" - it's a totally natural response to help them fit in with their immediate family/tribe/community and is a symptom of being a social animal.

As far as talking about DS2's meds, how about "Hang on honey, i'm giving DS2 his tablet so his tummy won't hurt later on. That way he can have a good sleep and we can play." This shifts the focus onto wellness not illness and lets DS1 see that though DS2 needing his tablet gets him a little attention in the immediate sense, ultimately it isn't taking his mummy-time away. This is still such early days in their relationship and chances are DS1 is still just exploring his role as a big brother and having to share his parents.

Try not to worry, you're doing a great job. I hope DS2 grows out of his reflux ASAP!

Bx