Parenting
By: Jessica Thompson
Updated: July 24, 2016
Originally Published: July 24, 2016
As difficult as my life may seem at times, it pales in comparison to the relentless challenges faced by my 6-year-old son. Each day begins with the heart-wrenching realization that his iPad, neglected during the night, possesses a meager 4% battery life. This tragic fate means he can barely play a round of his favorite games like Contest of Champions or Flappy Goat. To make matters worse, he often finds himself unjustly accused of the oversight and must vociferously defend his honor.
My son endures the week with a drastically limited wardrobe, a consequence of a mysterious ailment that renders him unable to put away his clothes. This peculiar condition causes a sort of selective blindness, allowing him to see Legos and video game controllers but leaving his articles of clothing invisible. Unfortunately, there’s no known cure for this affliction.
Daily, he grapples with the intense pressure of having to “eat healthily,” which in our household translates to enjoying three meals that don’t all include chocolate milk. The anguish of being compelled to munch on raw carrots is evident on his furrowed brow, often expressed through loud protests.
Physical discomforts frequently plague him, manifesting as random aches and pains that seem to strike without warning. Whether it’s a sudden throb in his pinkie toe or an inexplicable popping sensation in his ear, he finds himself compelled to provide a running commentary on his various ailments, punctuated by cries of “Ow! Ow!” Thankfully, chocolate ice cream often serves as an instant remedy for his woes.
Occasionally, he experiences outbursts of frustration, particularly when tasked with chores like setting the table or sorting laundry. In these moments, he might lose the ability to communicate beyond loud cries and negative exclamations, sometimes even resorting to dramatic flailing on the floor. These episodes tend to resolve only after extensive negotiations regarding his screen time privileges. By the end of these episodes, he’s so drained that he must drag himself up the stairs, moaning all the while.
Blessed (or cursed) with a vivid imagination, my son has an insatiable curiosity that leads him to ask a multitude of questions. These can range from the martial arts skills of teenage reptiles to the number of flavors of soda he has tasted. Ironically, inquiries about his own feelings are often met with a reluctant, “I don’t want to tell you.”
Despite the daily trials he faces, my son’s remarkable resilience is truly inspiring to everyone around him. Each day, he manages to end with a brave smile—provided, of course, that it concludes with a serving of chocolate ice cream for medicinal purposes.
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In summary, while the everyday struggles of my son may seem trivial, they highlight the extraordinary resilience children possess in navigating the world around them.