Dealing with those Questions and Stares – Micropreemie
Delay and MicroPreemie go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly! If you didn’t already know!
Peoples reactions to the delays we are dealing with is hard to say the least. We, as Micro-Mommies have to deal with these situations way to much. From peoples stares, whispers to our own Pedi’s saying we need to Pee Pee in the Potty to Family Members constant questions about Walking, Speech and Potty Training. These can add so much unnecessary stress to our already over stressed lives.
Yes, they mean well but does that mean we just have to keep answering them, hearing them, and dealing with them? Yes, unfortunately I think it does.
So, how do we deal with these questions, comments, looks, etc….
Well We DON’T!
WHAT?
Yeah I said it WE DONT.
I don’t mean Ignore the person and walk away.
Yes, you could engage and say “Hey, she’s a preemie give her/him TIME.”. Which may get across to some that these questions are getting old and maybe a few less questions would be nice.
These situations I have been in more times than I can count. Trying to answer their questions with “Well she is catching up” or “She’s a Preemie”. Brings back feelings of guilt and the feeling of wanting her to do what every other kid is doing at her age. Every Mom, not just Preemie Moms want their kids to excel at everything they do. Reach every Milestone, “on time”.
The reality for a MicroPreemie is that they don’t meet all the Milestones “on time”.
I have a saying I use for my MicroPreemie: “We don’t do Baby Steps, We do Micro Steps.” And its so true, everything she does, she does on her time.
As the parents we have to fend off the people who seem constantly worried about every little milestone as if we as the Parents don’t go to sleep worrying and wake up worrying. We just want our kids to go to school on time and not be held back.
How exactly do we handle the questions and the stares? Just like our Rockstars handled their time in the NICU. As Warriors, Fighters, Rockstars!
Those questions will come and those stares burn in the back of our heads. Look at your Rockstar, Remember them fighting in that Isolette. They didn’t care that the doctor and nurses were telling us about their “Quality of Life” and giving us the choice as what to do next. They never stopped fighting and we can do the same.
Remember that no one knows your Journey like you do! Smile! Answer the question and Be Proud of How Far You and Your Rockstar Have Come!
