The Trying Twos

Whew...what a morning.

Actually, it started last evening.  Turns out Jack had a rough day at school.  Whiny, lots of tears, complaints about all the loud noises and tugging on his ears.  When I got there just before 5:00 his teacher said he had just registered a temp of 101.9.  Crap.  Ear infection.

Yet, to my touch, he felt cool as a cucumber.  I took his temp as soon as we got home and it barely registered 98 degrees.  He acted perfectly normal all evening and slept straight through the night.  He certainly didn't act sick.

I have to admit I was annoyed.  This is the second time in just a few weeks that Jack has come home with reports of a fever.  School policy requires children to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to the classroom.  First, let me make it clear that I am a huge supporter of this policy.  I have no problem with keeping Jackson at home when he is sick or on the mend and I expect other parents to do the same.  The key being, when they are sick.  But since this was the second occurrence of a mystery fever that disappeared at home with no other symptoms of illness I was beginning to doubt the effectiveness of the thermometer they use in his classroom.

Drew & I went back and forth about what to do.  Both of our intuitions told us he was not sick.  A doctor visit seemed completely unnecessary.  Yet, we didn't want to discount the reports from school.  We also considered that perhaps his lack of sleep lately could be related to fighting off an ear infection as opposed to just being a phase as we originally thought.  What tipped the scale was the fact that our family vacation is just around the corner.  We're going to be gone for several days and if there was any chance that an ear infection was firing up, I wanted to nip it in the bud now before we're away from home.

After sleeping on it, Drew & I woke up with the exact same conclusion.  Take him to the doctor.  If all checks out fine (which we knew it would) get a note from the doctor (good call on requesting the note, Drew) and then take the kid to school.

That's exactly what happened.

Jackson woke up, after sleeping the first full night in his own bed in weeks, perfectly happy.  He couldn't have been better behaved at the doctor office.  (Which, by the way, was our first visit to their new location.  Such an awesome practice.  It's now about 40 minutes away instead of 25, but totally worth it to me.)  We had a lovely morning, he got a clean bill of health, we requested the all clear note and went on our merry way.

The closer I got to Lawrence, the more aggravated I was getting with his school.  Twice now he was sent home with a temperature when he didn't have a temperature.  This time resulting in 1 1/2 hours of drive time, a $25 doctor copay and 3 hours off work.  When I knew he was fine.  I called school, explained that he would not be staying home today, despite the 24 hour post-fever policy, and that I was armed with a doctor's note to prove it.  I wasn't very nice.

I realize now that sounds a little selfish, but in the moment I was pissed.

I backed off a bit when I dropped Jack off at school.  I'm not so good at the whole conflict thing.  I tend to prefer peace.  Particularly when it involves the people who care for my child 9 hours a day. 

After discussing it with the Director for a few minutes, we both agreed that his 2 year molars could be a likely culprit.  According to her, spiking but inconsistent temperatures are pretty normal with teething kids (though not a symptom Jack has experienced).  The doctor also indicated that there was some slight swelling where his final molars would eventually pop through.  So...whatever.

We proceeded to the classroom, Jackson requested a trip to the potty and I filled in his teachers. 

Then, despite a perfectly smooth morning, the meltdown occurred.

Seemingly out of nowhere he turned on the tears and absolutely freaked out at the prospect of me leaving.  His teachers did all the right things but he was inconsolable.  Much like yesterday, which is what led them to believe he wasn't feeling well. Suddenly, I felt really horrible for doubting them (and their thermometer).

I; however, recognized the cries.  These were not something is wrong cries.  These were manufactured cries.  Cries that mean he is seeking attention, pouting about something or simply being ornery.

I stayed at school for over 15 minutes trying to make things easier on Jack, his teachers and myself to no avail.  When I finally left he was still crying.  I felt terrible.  Terrible for his teachers who were left to deal with the tantrum (and whatever the rest of the day brings).  Terrible for Jack who was so clearly distraught and breaking my heart.  Terrible for being irritated with him for acting out like that.  Mostly, terrible for walking away.

Apparently, Jack has entered some sort of mommy's boy phase in the last 48 hours that is so not cool.  I can only hope that out of sight = out of mind and he settled down into a somewhat normal routine the rest of today.

I'm certain that he's not sick.  I'm certain that he's safe.  So that's the bright side.  But lord help me if this "phase" doesn't correct itself soon.  To date, Jackson's twos have not been terrible at all.  But on days like today, they are awfully trying!

Chime in fellow parents.  Did your kids ever have random spiking fevers that disappeared as quickly as they came while teething?  Were the 2 year molars a beast to cut through?  Was I wrong to be angry with the school about the whole temperature thing?  Is the clingy phase a pretty normal one at this age?  Fire away!