Searching for Parenting Solutions When There Aren’t Any

home insemination Kit

We’ve all seen parents point to teething as the reason for all sorts of baby behaviors—endless drooling, sleepless nights, and more. But you know what? An article in Slate suggests that teething usually only causes mild discomfort, so maybe it’s not the real issue after all.

Like many parents caught in the early morning cycle of crying and comforting, I found myself wanting to give my child something to relieve her distress, but I also craved a label to make sense of the situation—both for her and for myself. Blaming teething felt like an easy out for what might be an impossible dilemma.

After 15 years of parenting, I’m still on the lookout for explanations and remedies for various irritations. If my daughter complains of a stomachache, my mind races to thoughts of appendicitis instead of considering she might just be nervous about her math test.

When my 12-year-old son is grumpy, I instinctively reach for an apple, thinking he’s just hungry, rather than acknowledging that, well, he’s 12 and that moodiness is part of the package.

My 15-year-old may not drool, but he keeps late hours and is often irritable. Is it his wisdom teeth? Is he feeling the pressure from friends? Or maybe it’s just the chaos of teenage hormones at play? Should I have a heart-to-heart with him? Does he need a pain reliever? A hug?

And just like that, I find myself as a mom, desperately seeking answers in the wee hours. One of the toughest realizations I’ve had is that parenting often comes without clear solutions. My daughter could be anxious about her math exam, she might truly be in pain, or maybe she just had too many raisins. Most likely, though, she’s just trying to put off bedtime.

My tween might be hungry, tired, or simply going through a phase, and I could stockpile apples without making a dent in his mood.

As for my teen, he could be up all night on his phone, lost in comic books, or maybe doing things I’d rather not ponder. His wisdom teeth might be coming in, he could be stressed about school, or there could be some heartache stirring beneath the surface. Teens, like babies, have a knack for being nonverbal—except when they’re annoyed—so I might never figure out the mystery behind those months of drooling.

Parenting is filled with uncertainties, and every time we can name a challenge, it gives us a sense of control. But perhaps the best approach is recognizing that we can’t always fix every issue or soothe every scrape.

For more insights on navigating the ups and downs of parenting, check out this article on home insemination strategies. And if you’re interested in authoritative resources, Make A Mom is a great place to start. The CDC also offers valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination.

In summary, parenting is mostly about embracing the unknowns and learning to be okay with not having all the answers.