We’ve all seen parents attribute a range of infant behaviors to teething—weeks of drooling, sleepless nights, and endless fussiness. But according to a piece in Slate, the reality is that teething symptoms are usually quite mild, meaning it might not be the easy explanation we think it is.
As a mom caught in the early morning cycle of soothing and comforting, I often wished for something to alleviate my child’s discomfort while also helping me label and understand her experience—and my own. Blaming teething felt like the simplest solution to what is often a complex question.
Having been on this parenting journey for over fifteen years, I still find myself searching for causes and remedies for various irritations. If my daughter complains of a stomachache, my mind races to appendicitis, while I should probably consider the math test looming in the morning.
When my 12-year-old son is cranky, I instinctively offer him an apple, assuming he’s just hangry, rather than accepting that mood swings are part of being a pre-teen.
And though my 15-year-old no longer drools, he does keep late hours and can be quite irritable. Is it his wisdom teeth? Peer pressure? Or just the chaotic whirlwind of adolescence? Maybe a heart-to-heart is in order, or perhaps a simple hug or an Advil could help.
In that moment, I find myself, once again, a mother on a quest for answers in the middle of the night. One of the toughest lessons I’ve learned is that there are no straightforward solutions. My daughter might be nervous about her math test, have a minor ailment, or simply be stalling bedtime.
My tween could be hungry, tired, or just naturally moody—no amount of apples will change that. My teen could be up all night texting or reading comics, and while I might ponder whether his wisdom teeth are coming in or if he’s experiencing some hidden emotional struggle, the truth is, like babies, teens often keep their feelings close to the vest—especially when they’re not happy.
Parenting is full of uncertainties, and each label we attach helps us feel more in control. However, perhaps the best approach is to embrace the fact that not every issue can be resolved or every discomfort soothed. This perspective can be liberating as we navigate the ups and downs of family life, especially when we also explore helpful resources for home insemination, like this guide on intracervical insemination or refer to Cryobaby’s home insemination kits for those considering this path. Additionally, the ASRM offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, parenting is a journey filled with questions and uncertainties. Embracing the unknown and accepting that we can’t always find answers can be the most effective approach to supporting our children through their many challenges.