It's all about the kids

by Carlos

Two and half months ago, Damai, my 5 year old, was sucking her thumb like it was made of honey. She'd suck it in the car, watching TV, at school, when she was up set, or when ever she just felt like she was missing her best friend, Mr. Thumb.

Now, since we started on this program with an orthodontist, she sucks it on average about 2 times a week. I'm really amazed by the success. She does it all for a little star sticker and the chance to have some praise from the orthodontist, a man she calls, "my doctor-teacher," which means she really respects him.

She respects him, buy I don't. This won't be a bashing blog. We've just bumped heads and my pride has been hurt. He called me out on my discipline issues with my kids.

Every night, Damai calls the good doctor to tell him if she's sucked or not. But on days she's failed, she chooses not to talk to him on the phone. One night, he said, we had to have her answer his questions on the phone to keep her accountable. She refused and it took me about 10 min to get her to pick up the phone, all the while he was waiting on the phone and could hear Damai refusing to answer.

She finally answered, but not without the doctor and I having a conversation about her lack of discipline. No doubt, he was right. I have discipline issues with my kids. That was about two or three weeks ago, and since then, I've been trying to get a grip on the situation.

But my pride is hurt. Since then, other incidents with him have come up. And I've found myself thinking, "Damai better not suck her thumb today because I don't want to have another conversation with her doctor." That's just stupid!

I had to come to the conclusion, that Damai and I are not in this to please this guy. We're doing this to help Damai stop sucking her thumb. I really see this as a serious thing; sucking her thumb just draws her deeper into herself and she shuts out the world. She relies on it to please herself. I really see this as a battle for her self esteem.

And the good doctor, although I judge him because he doesn't even have any kids, is helping us. He is helping us (please excuse me; I had to re-emphasize that again for myself). Damai and I couldn't do this by ourselves and this guy is really creating successful steps for her.

I also have to remember that I prayed about this. I don't know how many people pay some one to help their kids stop sucking her thumb, but it was weird for me. But in success or failure, I have to realize that Jesus is in control of the situation. It's not for me to jump ship on this program (which I've thought about) just because I judge this guy who, although hurting my pride, has helped my family.

It's about Damai. And for her, hopefully, I can stand this guys a little longer. Maybe even with a little more prayer, I can get past my judgement of him.