One of the hardest things about being a single parent is not having a second opinion when your child is sick. Do I take them to the doctor or do I wait? Sometimes, unfortunately, it’s a financial consideration as well. No one would admit out loud that they delayed taking their child to the doctor because they can’t afford the co pay, but for many of us, that’s the reality.
I’ve learned that most things will pass, if you give them enough time. A cold is just a cold, no matter how miserable they are. I’ve also learned to trust my instincts, sometimes you just know this is more serious than a regular cold.
When Hailey was seven she was sick, she had a cold and was barking like a seal. After a few days I took her to the doctor. Her doctor was out of town and the one filling in made me feel like an overprotective mother who was worried about nothing.
I went home that day, angry, and a little embarrassed. Was I over reacting? I didn’t think so and as the night wore on I was sure of it. We spent another sleepless night and I was at the doctor’s office when it opened. The doctor filling in tried to give me the same spiel, I insisted another doctor look at Hailey.
That was hard, I don’t usually stand up to people in positions of authority, like doctors or teachers, but I knew something was really wrong.
The doctor was exasperated with me but allowed Hailey to see another doctor. The other doctor came in and listened to her for a few minutes, looked her over and told me she had walking pneumonia.
I was furious. I know I’m not a mother who runs to the doctor for every little thing, I knew there was something wrong. I stood up for myself again and refused to pay the co pay and insisted they refund the co pay from the day before. Then I wrote a formal letter of complaint to the practice.
I don’t know if it did any good but I learned a lesson that day. I know my child, I know what’s normal and what’s not. I know when she is trying to get attention versus being really sick.
So trust your instinct, if you feel they can wait a day or two, chances are they can. Don’t feel bad that money is a consideration, if you felt your child was really sick you would take her in. You are her mother, and sometimes, you really do know best.