It all began innocently enough. Just hours before my daughter’s dance competition, she mentioned feeling discomfort in her abdomen. She complained of a stomachache and said she felt nauseous, even on the verge of vomiting. I noticed her belly appeared swollen, although she didn’t mention it herself. After a quick assessment, I asked if she needed to use the restroom—an assumption I thought was reasonable, as kids often neglect to go when they should. After she did go, she seemed to feel better. Score one for Mom, I thought. But as the evening progressed and the weekend continued, new symptoms emerged.
On Saturday, she mentioned pain in her hip, claiming she felt discomfort both in the front and back of her right side. By Sunday, her complaints persisted, and she was running a low-grade fever of 101. She also seemed unusually lethargic. That’s when it hit me that this was more serious than a simple stomach issue.
“I think she might have appendicitis,” I stated. My husband, ever the calm one, dismissed my concerns. “It’s just a stomach bug,” he reassured me. But I couldn’t shake the feeling. My gut instinct was screaming at me, and I wasn’t about to ignore it. Plus, a quick check on WebMD confirmed my suspicions; her symptoms matched perfectly. I tried to remain composed and said, “If she experiences any more symptoms or worsens at all, we’re heading to the hospital, no questions asked.”
Fast forward to 8:00 AM when we arrived at the hospital. By 8:00 PM, she was being taken into surgery to remove her appendix—an outcome that only occurred because I trusted my instincts and listened to my maternal intuition.
According to Psychology Today, intuition allows us to know things instinctively without needing to analyze every detail. It connects our conscious and unconscious minds, bridging instinct and logic. Intuition is that gut feeling, a sudden awareness that can guide our decisions.
Understanding Parental Intuition
So, what about parental intuition? Carol Tuttle, host of The Child Whisperer podcast, describes it as a powerful gift that should not be overlooked. “The most important guidance tool for parents is intuition,” she explains. It’s a sense of knowing that develops the more we trust it. This inner awareness can direct us in our parenting choices.
While the workings of intuition remain somewhat mysterious, Tuttle notes that mothers often exhibit stronger intuitive abilities than fathers. “Mothers generally have a heightened sensory awareness,” she says. This can make trusting that instinct an invaluable skill. Award-winning author Glennon Doyle also emphasizes the importance of intuition, referring to it as our “Knowing.” She asserts that listening to this inner voice is crucial for our wellbeing and that of our children.
So, trust that voice in your head. Embrace that feeling in your gut and listen to your instincts—every day.
Additional Resources
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In summary, trusting your instincts as a parent can be pivotal in ensuring your child’s health and safety. When faced with uncertainty, listening to that internal voice can guide you toward the right decisions.