Life
Why do I do this to myself?
When I was pregnant, I signed up for a bunch of newsletters like every other mom-to-be does. (If you didn’t do this, just be glad you’re not an obsessive-compulsive freak like me and pipe down already.) When I had Miss Tricia, I dutifully notified all these same sites. They dutifully sent me newsletters regarding Tricia’s various ages & stages.
Over the course of the past 13 months (yes, it’s been 13 months, weep with me, people), I’ve whittled down all these subscriptions to one. And this one is all about some doom and gloom. Latest lead story? “Ten warning signs when it comes to your toddler’s development” or some such nonsense. And what did I do with this? I CLICKED THE LINK IN THE E-MAIL! Because I felt compelled to do it. Now we see the compulsive part of OCD in action; let’s get to the obsessive part, shall we?
Upon reading this list of “Holy crow! If your kid does this, you’re so screwed!”, I started obsessing over the fact that Tricia still isn’t walking. And the fact that she sometimes tiptoes. And the fact that sometimes when she walks, she acts like her right leg is a pegleg. All of these things add up to be…POTENTIAL CEREBRAL PALSY! ZOMG! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?!?!
If you’re me, you’re going to panic. Then you’re going to go talk to Bill. Then you’re going to get a list of reasons why you should not be concerned: the kid is only 13 months old; the kid doesn’t always tiptoe; the kid uses her right leg just fine when she crawls, sits, stands, etc; the kid does just fine with her push toys; and finally, the best reason of all, the kid’s had regular exams by a really great doctor who probably would have noticed something like cerebral palsy the dozen or so times he’s wiggled and jiggled and stretched her miscellaneous parts.
Now if you’re me, all of this will be very reassuring. All of this will make you say, “Huh. He’s right. She’s probably fine.” Only to return to the Internet the next day and Google “early signs of cerebral palsy” instead of, y’know, WORKING like you’re supposed to be doing.
Your research on Google will reassure you much more than your very sensible husband’s words did, and you will promptly stop believing you are Gregory House, MD and decide to spend less time Googling and more time at Club Pogo. You will then cancel that last Ages & Stages newsletter because you realize that it is no longer helpful and informative but scary and panic-attack-inducing.
If you’re me, that’s what you’ll do.
Tags: Steph is participating in x365 and thinks you should, too.
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AddsYou
This is so sad because I identify with it so much. I totally did stuff like this with Lorna when she was a baby. Her eye isn’t focusing? Is she blind in that eye?? OMG! She’s not responding to me calling her name. Is she deaf?
I am reminded of a fake magazine that Marge was reading on The Simpsons once called “Fretful Mother.” Um, yeah. I totally would have subscribed to that magazine. LOL
d - But by the time you have your THIRD kid, you’re supposed to be OVER all this. LOL. Sadly, I did this same stuff with all three. Not so much with Lenna because she was Miss Early Bird with everything, but there were still things that made me worry. I swear, I’m going to start drinking just so I stop panicking. :grin:
Awwww dude. As I am bebehless I have no words of wisdom. However she is srsly one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen.
Stephanie Marie. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK! I know this because, well, I do stuff like that too. There was the 2 hours of time where I had myself absolutely *convinced that D was some type of dwarf (no really) becasue she hadn’t hit a growth spurt like all her little playgroup friends.
And LLOL at “Fretful Mother”.
Missy - Thanks. :) We’re kind of partial to her anyway. :grin:
Noel - Did I tell you about the couple of weeks when I was 99.9% certain Tricia was autistic? THOSE were fun-filled for Bill, lemme tell ya. @@ at myself. So yeah, I’ve unsubscribed to all the newsletters and stuff. I figure if there’s something really wrong with our girl, I’ll notice it sooner or later, even if there’s no Ages&Stages to guide me. :grin:
Damn. I was going to “Stephanie Marie” you, but Noel beat me to it. And I know how it is…or how it was, anyway. But I can’t get worked up about much of ANYthing anymore, clearly a sign that my kids are too old, right? My pediatrician was an angel — his philosophy was that “she’ll do it when she’s ready” or “she’ll stop doing it when she’s ready” and dad-blast it if he wasn’t totally right. :D
Jane - I know. I KNOW! But sometimes, the OCD just takes over my brain, and I wig. :grin: