Last week, I decided to take a few hours off to accompany my daughter, Mia, to her five-year check-up. She was understandably nervous about the possibility of a shot but was also curious about the fun activities the doctor would perform—like checking her ears, asking questions, peeking in her mouth, and even counting to ten. I reassured her that there was a chance she might not need a shot, and we’d find out together when we arrived. Mia said she’d be brave and wouldn’t cry if it turned out she did. I promised I would be right there with her, no matter what.
As it turned out, she was indeed due for a shot. The moment she realized it was coming, her anxiety skyrocketed. We were caught in a whirlwind of emotions as it took both me and two nurses to hold her still for the brief moment it took to administer the vaccine. I explained that dwelling on the thought of the needle was what made it scarier; it would be over in just a second if she could muster the courage to face it. When the nurses entered the room, Mia locked eyes with me and pleaded, “Please, Mom, I don’t want to do this!”
I gently lowered my gaze to meet hers, turned her shoulders towards me, and held her tiny hands. I asked her what we do when we are frightened.
With a shaky breath, she answered, “We do it anyway. We are brave.”
Though she cried and struggled, I felt a pang in my heart as I held her tightly while they completed the necessary task. But, of course, she got through it. We shared a laugh afterward, and she even had the chance to tell her dad how awful it was.
In that moment, I realized that was all I needed to accomplish that day—or even that week. It was enough. Our lives are often filled with distractions and busyness, but what truly matters are those few moments we can be present for the ones we love and reassure them that everything will be alright.
For more information on navigating pregnancy and home insemination, including helpful resources, check out this excellent guide from ACOG. And if you’re interested in exploring home insemination options, this post can be a great starting point.
In conclusion, sometimes, it’s the small moments that truly count—those moments where we show up for our loved ones and remind them they’re not alone.
Keyphrase: Overcoming feelings of inadequacy in parenting
Tags: “home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”