In this post, I’ll break down the annual checkup experience for my daughter Mia from A to Z.
A is for Active
The doctor emphasizes that children should be active and limit screen time. Mia is all about movement—she swims, rides horses, and works out daily for a couple of hours. Television? Not her thing.
B is for Briefly
As we waited, we filled out a standardized checklist. The first question was “Describe your child briefly.” I felt the urge to be cheeky; how can you sum up Mia in just a few words? I settled on “Joyful. Caring. Determined.”
C is for Chomp
At one point, they handed her a wooden tongue depressor. Let’s just say splinters happened.
D is for Development Questions
The checklist had questions like, “Seldom plays with other kids?” Check. “Does not talk well for age?” Check. “Seems slow to catch on?” Check. The list was absurd and a bit heartbreaking.
E is for Eat
Mia’s appetite has grown, so we need a chew toy to keep her busy during the visit. Unfortunately, she’s lost interest in the ones we have, so I guess I need to find one shaped like a stethoscope.
F is for Five Stars
The doctor praised us, saying we’re five-star parents to Mia. It sounded silly, but it was a nice boost. Parental self-doubt can be tough, and this was a refreshing affirmation.
G is for Growth Chart
I often wonder why tracking Mia’s growth percentage matters. She eats like a linebacker, so what else can we do?
H is for Happy
This word popped up frequently during the visit. Mia has a lot going on, but her demeanor is generally cheerful.
I is for Immature
Another checkbox: “Acts much younger than her age?” Check.
J is for Juice
The doctor suggested cutting down on juice and increasing water intake. Fortunately, Mia already skips the juice.
K is for Kiss
While discussing Mia’s affectionate nature, she planted one of her messy kisses on me. Heartwarming!
L is for Limits
My partner always says, “The only limits Mia has are those we set for her.”
M is for Milestones
The developmental milestones listed on the checklist seemed irrelevant as Mia is delayed. I’ve been told to ignore them, but actually doing so is another story.
N is for Nurse
A new nurse didn’t know Mia, making it awkward when she asked questions and waited for a response. I need to step in more often to clarify her nonverbal communication.
O is for Open
Her ear canals looked great.
P is for Paleo
We’ve adjusted Mia’s diet over the years, and the Paleo approach seems to suit her well. Minimal reflux and almost no eczema? Yes, please!
Q is for Quality
Mia’s doctor is fantastic. She consistently asks, “How can I help you further?”
R is for Relentless
Keeping Mia contained during the checkup was a workout. It takes two adults to manage her energy!
S is for Shots
Mia received three shots: flu, polio, and another one I can’t recall. I held her hand, and while she tensed, she didn’t cry. Incredible.
T is for Testing
We mapped Mia’s genome, but we’re still in the dark about her condition. It’s a confusing journey.
U is for Uncharted Territory
Next fall, Mia will start kindergarten. Will she be potty trained? Can she navigate the hallways?
V is for Vision
Mia needs new glasses; her current frames allow her to pop out the lenses. Time for a visit back to the ophthalmologist who once doubted us.
W is for Weight
Getting Mia on the scale? A total circus! She won’t sit still, making it a two-person job.
X is for X-Rays
Her hips are in great shape, so thankfully, no X-rays were necessary.
Y is for Year
I took a glimpse at her file with last year’s checklist. Back then, I wrote “Fine” in the parent section. This time, I wrote “Great.”
Z is for Zero
Overall, we’re in a good place with Mia. Other than needing a vision test, we have zero pressing issues.
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In summary, the annual checkup is a mixed bag of emotions and assessments, but ultimately, it’s about ensuring our children are healthy and thriving.
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