Advocating for Our Kids

My first thoughts whenever I hear the name “Jenny McCarthy” are of a trashy blonde host on MTV. So when my mom called today and said, “TiVo Oprah,” and I saw that Jenny McCarthy was on, I was a bit skeptical. Jenny was on Oprah today promoting her new book Mother Warriors. In it, she explains how she, and several other mothers, have helped their kids “recover” from autism though detoxification, special diets, and whatever means necessary. She has regained my respect.

Americans are conditioned to believe that authority figures are somehow wiser. Yes, they may have more “facts” (whether or not those “facts” are true is another story), but they don’t know you better than you do. They don’t know your kids better. Doctors can be wrong. They may not know the latest information.

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I don’t buy into it. Sure, I respect the opinion of doctors, teachers, plumbers and anyone else who has expertise in their field. But I don’t take their opinion as the final word. I strongly advocate for my children (and anything/anyone else in my life). I ask questions, I challenge ideas, I do research, and I try to do whatever I need to do to take care of my family. I don’t believe in “waiting to see” what will happen. When Bug had gross motor delays, I knew he would eventually walk, but I didn’t want to wait to see how his delay might impact him in the future. I’m not afraid of what people think or of asking for help or of recognizing that my children aren’t perfect in every way. I honestly don’t understand the mentality of letting your child suffer or struggle unnecessarily. This is not to say that I pamper and spoil my kids or coddle them over every bump and bruise. Small falls and cuts are a part of life, struggling to walk or talk do not have to be.

I am by no means a perfect mom. I am less patient than I should be. I don’t give them as much attention as I know I should.  I struggle with being a stay at home mom – it’s an awful match for my personality. But, I love my kids fiercely, and I do the best I can for them. I guess that’s all we can do.