Being a parent is hard.

You get through one stage and then another is thrust upon you with such immediacy that you are struggling to understand how you went from being ahead of the game to suddenly having no idea what is going on.

This happens a lot during the first couple of years of parenting. Those years contain so much growth and change (physical, emotional, verbal, etc), it is nearly impossible to keep up. At least once you move on to your second child you have some idea of what to expect, right?

Ha!

I spent the weekend annoyed at how whiney my son was being (my second born). It was constant. I was going crazy. After almost three days of non-stop whining I looked in his mouth. He has his last set of molars coming in.

How could I miss all the signs? He didn't like his normal snacks (goldfish, granola bar, even Cheerios). He was chewing on his hands and toys more than he's done in months. He was extra clingy. He wasn't just whining for no reason. He was in pain.

And, I've been here before. I knew it was time. He's turning 3 in a couple of weeks. My daughter went through it.

An upset B at an event this weekend. If I only knew then what I know now...

Being a parent is hard. And filled with guilt.

But there's nothing I can do about the past. Once I realized what was going on I gave him some medicine...and lots of love.

I might not always know what's going on but I can promise to be better.

I promise.

xo Sara

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