Many days, I wonder if I've erred as a parent. Temper tantrums, talking back, even simply getting my preschooler to cover his mouth while coughing ... will it ever get easier?
Then, on a day like yesterday, I see a glimpse of who my son is very capable of being, and it makes me very proud. Brendan visited the doctor's office yesterday for his 4-year checkup. He's never done well at visits, usually squirming and refusing to acknowledge the doctor.
Our most recent memories of his getting shots were 18 months ago when Brendan spent 6 days in the hospital for an extreme version of strep throat. My husband and I had flashbacks to Brendan kicking and screaming while the nurses tried taking blood or reinserting his IV, which Brendan pulled out a couple of times. He was a fighter.
Needless to say, we were a little nervous about the immunizations. Brendan, though, handled everything like a pro. He was patient, quiet, but spoke to the doctor when she asked him questions. He let her examine him, which had been a battle in the past. And when it came time for shots, he cooperated fully even after the sting of the first shot sent him crying.
In the day to day battles with our children, we sometimes wonder as parents if we're doing anything right. It's events like these that remind me something is working.
No comments:
Post a Comment