There is a reason

. . . Why "I mommy by my own book."

Toddler Milestones

Check out that link and, if you have a child in that age bracket be prepared to have a complete meltdown because your child hasn't reached a certain milestone yet or feel like the best parent ever because your child is well ahead of the curve. Now, I get it. These "guidelines" are important to be somewhat aware of because they can alert you if your child is not developing on track but they should still be seen as very vague guidelines.

My son did everything early until he was about a year old. Every milestone was reached about a month early. So what? I must be supermom who has impeccable genetics making all other children inferior to mine. Right? Not at all. My son may climb, run, wave, kiss, play, dance, jump blah blah blah all day long but the kid doesn't say a single word (I don't count "dada" or "mumum" to be words). He does communicate all of his needs to his father and I just fine. He "just doesn't have anything to say" according to my lovely cousin/expert mother.

My scenario is this. At my sons 12 month check up his doctor put the fear of God in me. "If he isn't saying three words by the time he is 15 months old then we will have to send him to a specialist and consider it a real problem." Que mom's three month panic attack. So here I am, spending the next three months desperately wanting my son to say one word. Just. One. Word.

He didn't.

We go in for his 15 month check up, after a sleepless night for mom wondering what Dr. Must-Be-Right-On-Schedule will say to us. As soon as he enters the room I start explaining what Danny does babble, how he communicates and point out that he does not have any "real" words. Dr. MBROS says "oh he is communicating just fine, don't worry about it." Thanks, asshole. Thank you so much for letting me spend the last THREE MONTHS worried that my kid was behind. Now Dr. Asshole isn't really an asshole. He was actually my pediatrician growing up and took care of most of my cousins and friends. I do trust him for medical advice and care. But, just as my instincts have always said-mommy by your own book!!! Don't follow some chart and agonize over ensuring that your child meets every mark. If you're a responsible mom (or dad) and are paying attention to your child's development then you will know if there is something wrong or at least you'll see a red flag if you get a suspicion that something is off. Don't let the doctor freak you out, don't let other moms make you feel small because your kid isn't where theirs is, and don't let overbearing mothers/aunts/sisters try to tell you about your child. You are the mom and you know what it best, you know if your kid is doing ok better than anyone else.

By the way, Danny is totally dancing like an 18 month old. . . isn't he great!

I kid, I kid.