We’ve all been there—parents pointing fingers at teething for every little thing their infants do, from endless drooling to those sleepless nights. But hold on! An article in Slate reveals that teething usually causes only mild symptoms, disproving our favorite scapegoat.
As a parent caught in the early morning chaos of crying and comforting, I often find myself wishing for a magic solution to ease my child’s discomfort. It’s comforting to pinpoint an issue and say, “Ah-ha! It must be teething!”—a simple explanation for what often feels like a complex puzzle.
After 15 years in this wild ride of parenting, I’m still on the hunt for answers to a myriad of everyday challenges. Take my daughter, for instance. If she complains of a tummy ache, my mind races to thoughts of appendicitis, instead of considering she might just be stressed about her math test.
When my 12-year-old son gets moody, I instinctively hand him an apple, assuming he’s just hangry, rather than accepting that, well, being 12 comes with its own unique set of challenges. As for my 15-year-old, while he’s not drooling anymore, his late-night antics and irritability make me wonder: Is it wisdom teeth? Social pressures? Or is he just navigating the hormonal rollercoaster of adolescence? A heart-to-heart? A dose of Advil? Or maybe just a hug?
And so, there I am, a mother in the wee hours, desperately seeking answers. One of the toughest lessons I’ve learned is that easy answers are a rarity. My daughter could be nervous about school, have a mild stomach issue, or simply be stalling bedtime. My tween might be hangry, exhausted, or just naturally moody, and no amount of apples is going to change that.
As for my teen, he could be lost in a world of texting, comic books, or whatever else he’s up to late at night. Maybe his wisdom teeth are coming in, or he’s grappling with high school stress. Like babies, teens often communicate best through irritation, leaving me pondering the mysteries of their behavior—just like I did when my daughter went through those three months of drooling.
Parenting is a maze of uncertainties, and labeling the issues can provide us a sense of control. However, perhaps the real wisdom lies in embracing the fact that we won’t solve every problem or soothe every bruise. Sometimes, just understanding that parenting is a journey filled with unknowns is the best answer we can find.
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In summary, parenting is filled with challenges and questions that often lack clear answers. Accepting this reality might just be the most liberating truth of all.