Aubree is n
ow 40 1/2" tall (75th percentile) and weighs 34 lbs. The doctor told me that her weight is also in the 75th percentile. I laughed. When I got home I looked it up online and found that it's only the 45th percentile - which is still great considering that two years ago she was only in the 3rd percentile. Her eyes are both 25/20 (phew! HUGE relief that she has good eye-sight so far).On the way to the doctor I mentioned to Aubree that she might get a shot or a spray up her nose (which she had last year). I asked which she would rather have and she said, "a shot." Surprised, I asked why and she answered, "that way I can get a band-aid." Well, of course! Why didn't I think of that?! It turned out she got the nose mist AND a shot. She's the bravest kid I know when it comes to shots. She looked right at me and when the nurse stabbed her, her eyes got big, but then it was over and she said, "that hurt." The end. I think I was closer to tears that she was! When I was four and had to get shots, I believe it took my mom and a number of nurses to hold me down. Is that right, Mom?
Bryce is now 33" tall (90th percentile) and 25 lbs. (50th percentile). It still surprises me that he doesn't weigh more because he eats a TON! On the "what to expect" paper they send home, it reads, "an 18 month old is usually too busy to eat much." Ha ha!! Bryce didn't like his shots one bit. Can't say that I blame him.
Now onto the venting part... Overall, I like our doctor well enough. I think, medically-speaking, he knows what he's talking about. Yet, it seems like at every visit he says something (usually something small) that gets under my skin and leaves me agitated. This visit was no different...
After talking with Aubree for a bit (and learning that she's reading), the doctor turned to me and said, "you need to put this girl in private school for kindergarten next year." He spoke for a few more minutes about this and then made the comment, "she doesn't need to waste any more time at home."
Ugh! Now, I'm going to give the doctor the benefit of the doubt and ASSUME he meant "she'd do fine in kindergarten, there's no need to wait an extra year before putting her in public school." But it still drives me crazy that he used the words "waste" and "time at home" in the same sentence. Because, clearly, her time at home thus far has really been a hindrance for her.
It's more than that though. I am very opinionated and I'm not easily swayed from beliefs to which I hold firmly. I firmly believe that, wherever possible, children in their formative years belong at home with their mother. Again, I know that's not always possible, but I still think it's ideal. No daycare or preschool can adequately take the place of a loving, attentive mother.
I know that the way I feel is not incredibly popular in today's society. Mothers who choose to stay home are often ridiculed or made to feel that they are not contributing to society, not bettering themselves, or (most aggravating of all) somehow putting their child at a "disadvantage."
So, when the doctor makes an off-hand comment to me about my kids "wasting time at home," he will only serve to strengthen my resolve to keep my kids home. But, I wonder if he's saying it to some other mom. Perhaps one who is struggling with her commitment to be home and raise her children. What if, coming from an "expert's" mouth, she hears that she's "wasting their time."
THAT bothers me.
Bryce is now 33" tall (90th percentile) and 25 lbs. (50th percentile). It still surprises me that he doesn't weigh more because he eats a TON! On the "what to expect" paper they send home, it reads, "an 18 month old is usually too busy to eat much." Ha ha!! Bryce didn't like his shots one bit. Can't say that I blame him.Now onto the venting part... Overall, I like our doctor well enough. I think, medically-speaking, he knows what he's talking about. Yet, it seems like at every visit he says something (usually something small) that gets under my skin and leaves me agitated. This visit was no different...
After talking with Aubree for a bit (and learning that she's reading), the doctor turned to me and said, "you need to put this girl in private school for kindergarten next year." He spoke for a few more minutes about this and then made the comment, "she doesn't need to waste any more time at home."
Ugh! Now, I'm going to give the doctor the benefit of the doubt and ASSUME he meant "she'd do fine in kindergarten, there's no need to wait an extra year before putting her in public school." But it still drives me crazy that he used the words "waste" and "time at home" in the same sentence. Because, clearly, her time at home thus far has really been a hindrance for her.
It's more than that though. I am very opinionated and I'm not easily swayed from beliefs to which I hold firmly. I firmly believe that, wherever possible, children in their formative years belong at home with their mother. Again, I know that's not always possible, but I still think it's ideal. No daycare or preschool can adequately take the place of a loving, attentive mother.
I know that the way I feel is not incredibly popular in today's society. Mothers who choose to stay home are often ridiculed or made to feel that they are not contributing to society, not bettering themselves, or (most aggravating of all) somehow putting their child at a "disadvantage."So, when the doctor makes an off-hand comment to me about my kids "wasting time at home," he will only serve to strengthen my resolve to keep my kids home. But, I wonder if he's saying it to some other mom. Perhaps one who is struggling with her commitment to be home and raise her children. What if, coming from an "expert's" mouth, she hears that she's "wasting their time."
THAT bothers me.
5 comments:
I'm glad the kids are doing well!
Erin, I think that you are quite probably the best mother I have known. If all mothers were as awesome as you, then I don't think the doctor would have made that comment. Unfortunately, not all mothers (including some in my own family) are so attentive to and supportive of their children.
I felt a tremendous amount of pressure to put Aidan in preschool, mostly from his speech therapist at the time. We never did, and my feelings are kind of mixed up on the subject. I know that some of the community "parent participation" preschools are really good, but those are hard to mange when you also have a baby.
You do an exceptionally good job of keeping Aubree happy and involved with lots of things. Thanks for sharing!
you have some adorable kids! and i completely agree with you that kids belong in the home whenever possible. not only do they learn cognitively, but they are at a much better advantage emotionally if they are bonding with their parents--especially the mom. way to go erin! :)
Thanks for sharing your commitment to be at home with children. I have felt pressure to put kids in preschool, but have not put them into formal preschool. We have done a preschool once a week with other mothers in my ward. It is something I have struggled with wondering if I really make a difference. Then I went to help in Caleb's kindergarten class and the teacher had to correct kids on how to hold a book correctly. It has also made me realize how quickly the time we have with them, before the demands of school come, really passes.
First, YES you were a big baby when it came to getting shots. It was such a dichotomy, you were so smart and logical with everything else, but when it came to shots you went totally ballistic and combative! It did take me and a nurse, pinning you to the table while another nurse gave you your kindergarten shots. I am sure that you were the talk of the staff when we left.
As to your vent- AMEN and AMEN. The first five years of a child's life are the most important to lay a firm foundation for their lives. That is when all the connections are made in the brain. The child learns societal rules and norms, how to explore in safety, bonding with parents, emotional stability, how to share/work/play, the security of home and family. Critical, imperative, essential, necessary--oh what other words can I find to express the magnitude and significance of children being home with their mothers?
I wonder where Erin got her passion?
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