Parenting Fail

I've been looking forward to this three day weekend for a while.  I had big, big plans and a long list of things to get done.  Saturday, we piled all the kids in the car and went shopping for some things to beautify our front entry.  E started complaining that her throat hurt and she was tired.  Let me preface this by saying E is not a big fan of shopping or walking.  Most shopping trips involve a fair amount of E complaints.  The whole time we were in Kirkland's, she complained her throat hurt. The whole time we walked around T.J. Maxx Home Goods, she complained her throat hurt.  We went to lunch and guess what? Yep, her throat hurt.  It was really annoying. I really think most of these kids complaints are just psychological warfare, meant to wear down my will to live.  Or discipline.  

Finally, I said, and I am quoting here, "Oh for God's sake, let me look in your throat".  Her throat was red and I saw the oh so familiar white spots on her tonsils.  What kind of kid complains relentlessly that her throat hurts?  A KID WITH STREP THROAT. Huge fail on my part.  And this, my friends, is the look of being judged and found wanting.

"I told you my throat hurt."

I took her to urgent care for a prescription and she feels a million times better now, but seriously, I couldn't bother looking in her throat the first hundred times she complained?  I felt terrible.  She has been spoiled a bit since, and her trouble sleeping means I got to snuggle her all night via being kicked and having arms slung in my face all night long.  I think I have served my penance.  Next time a kid complains about a sore throat, you better believe I'll check their throat.