In case anyone out there is delusional enough to consider nominating me as Mother of the Year for my stellar parenting skills, this story ought to have you looking for another candidate real soon.
About 2 weeks ago Savannah entered into what I thought was another “stage”. You know, one of those “stages” that you start hearing about when your kid hits about, oh I don’t know, 2 days old. You are frantic and pulling your hair out while calling an experienced mother that you know, who chuckles on the other end of the line saying, “Oh, it’ll be fine. I’m sure it’s just a “stage”.”
This particular “stage” that started about 2 weeks ago was one of defiance. She was just flat out ignoring me and it was driving me crazy. Jeremy and I talked about it and we discussed how she has such an active imagination that we thought she was simply off in her own little world and not paying attention. So we addressed it with her. And addressed it with her again. And again. And again, until finally she had heard it so much she’d huff and puff and say, “I know, I know, I know. I hear you.”
And that nonchalant, roll your eyes, I am bored with you Mom, attitude is a whole ‘nother “stage” being addressed right now too, but I digress.
So anyways, about a week into this ordeal I began to wonder if there was indeed something wrong with her hearing. I mean, sure, she’s not perfect and she can definitely do her fair share of testing the waters, but with Savannah it’s usually over and done with in a matter of days. Not weeks. Was I being naive to think she couldn’t hear? Certainly at one month shy of turning 5, she is simply trying to push for more independence, right?
So I asked her. “Savannah is anything wrong with your ears? Can you hear Mommy okay? Do your ears feel funny or do they hurt?” The answer always came up as no. I figured I was looking for an easy answer to this defiant “stage” and decided to get a little stricter on the consequences for not listening.
Then about 3 days ago my mom came over for a visit. While she was here, she asked me if I had noticed a problem with Savannah’s hearing. Hmmmm…funny you should ask, Mom. After she left that night I continued to think of what might be the problem. Savannah has not been sick, has not ran a temperature in months, has not complained about anything, and her preschool teacher hasn’t mentioned anything to me either. But then it hit me…
Last year when I took her for her 4 year old checkup they did a hearing test and she failed. The doctor looked in her ears and said, “Oh my goodness! She hasn’t been complaining about her ears?” I answered, “No. Why?” She replied, “She has a terrible ear infection in both ears.”
Oh Man! I can’t believe I forgot about that. In thinking back I also remember how bad her behavior had gotten a few weeks before going to that appointment and then how quickly things got back to normal once she started taking the antibiotic.
So today I took her to the doctor and she confirmed that yes, she has an ear infection in both ears again and she is still surprised that Savannah hasn’t complained about it at all. And I am feeling like such a loser that I let it go for 2 weeks, all the while getting on to her about paying attention and being a better listener. Yep, I think that makes it official…I will not be Mother of the Year 2007.
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