Another Sick Day

Yesterday, S was playing with some out of state friends. She had played with them a couple of other times earlier in the week, and as usual, had a really hard time when the playdate had to end. If I breathe a word of needing to go, she abruptly wants to end it, get it over with, poof! I was reminded that it's better to have that reaction than whining and complaining about leaving. Although that may be easier, it's ignoring that she is having more intense feelings than the next kid. So last night, we did the first part of our NR routine, then her big sister came in and they took a little break. When it came time to get started again, S started half crying/half wimpering. Her big sister has traditionally the only one to make her cry sad tears, so I thought some of that was going on. S rarely cries, so each time she does, it is analyzed by me. It is always seen as a good thing since she is allowing herself to feel sadness. Wow, a mother who wants to see her kid cry? Who would have ever thought I could be happy with sadness. My entire way of thinking has been tuned upside down by this precious child. I had no idea how much I didn't know. What else am I missing by not being able to experience other obstacles, feel empathy for others in their own situation? Anyway, she was on the floor and didn't want to be comforted. Big sis came back in the room and said when they were playing, S felt hot. I took her temperature and sure enough, it was a fever, about 101. So I announced she would need medicine and that upped the emotion. I held her in my lap and she proceeded to cry a cry I hadn't really hear before. It was almost like she was mourning. So I got to thinking about what had gone on that day. Her daddy went back to work after being off for 6 weeks. When he said goodbye to her, it was the first time she looked sad. She also fell asleep in the car on the way home from school, another indication she was getting sick but I didn't know it. Then I remembered what was said when she was playing with her friend. The friend said her favorite animal was a panda because she was from China. So I thought the perfect opportunity presented itself to mention to S that her friend was from China just like her. She said, "She was a baby?" "And she cried?" I answered yes to both. I just wonder if she was maybe processing some of that. I haven't heard her cry like that before. Maybe it was because she had a fever or maybe just a combination of things. She doesn't cry when she is sick though, so it wasn't that alone. Today she is home from school because she still has a fever. No other symptoms, I don't know what to think of it yet.

Good news, I was able to reach the AT. Hopefully she can get us over this step.