About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
Is he faking?
Silver Spoons canada
(Feb.19.09)
My son woke up Tuesday morning and exclaimed, "I'm sick!" My husband shot me that look that says, "Don't start freaking out," and so we set upon getting back to reality after a week of me being ill and the long weekend.
"My tummy hurts," he announced after not eating his breakfast (usually the meal he's most excited for). J and I debated who would call in sick to take care of him (every working parent's favourite conversation). But after a dose of Advil (not just for our friend Joey!) he was bouncing off the walls. "This little boy isn't going to school today," he sang as he danced on the couch. My husband locked eyes with me and mouthed, "He's faking!"
Now my son complains about going to preschool every day. (But once he's there he has a great time and whines when we come to pick him up at the end of the day.) He's not good with transitions. But one thing I know is that his hypochondriac mother has taught him to listen to his body.
That being said, it did look like he was well enough to go to school, so we sent him. But when I came home from work Tuesday, he was lethargic and feverish. Boy did I feel guilty. Did we send him the signal that he shouldn't trust his own instincts about his body?
He's been lying beside me all day today, sleeping while I work (thank goodness for laptops, wifi and understanding bosses). I've been shooting my husband "I told you so" looks all day. Four year-olds can definitely be manipulative, but I think kids at this age (and even younger) instinctively know what their bodies need and are feeling.