Recently one of my coworkers randomly dropped the fact that his oldest son who is elementary age has a congenital heart defect. I find it a little weird because I have worked with him for a year and he knows about MY congenital heart defect, I talk and we all joke about it a lot. Honestly I just found his timing strange. Maybe it is just me but if I had a child with a condition and met someone with a similar condition I would mention it. Not to draw attention but to relate. Maybe to get advice or even just some insight into how my child may be feeling or handling things.
The thing that really irritated me was that he (my coworker) DOESN’T KNOW THE NAME of HIS OWN childs heart condition. Personally if my child had ANY kind of health condition I would know ALL the ins and outs. I would do the work and research to know EVERYTHING. My parents do. My parents could tell you more about my heart than I can. They know more details about the procedures I have had than I do. They ALWAYS have. Because THEY DO THE WORK. AND THEY CARE. The fact that he knows nothing about it, even THE NAME of the condition, was disturbing to me. I was very disappointed, but not surprised.
I told my parents and they were annoyed and honestly angry! As they should be. They know EXACTLY what it is like to have a child with a health condition. I was not a fan of this coworker to begin with but now…I have even LESS time for him if that is even possible.
To his credit…I guess. The heart condition is not super serious and in most cases can heal over time. But in my opinion that does not mean you as the parent don’t need to do the work to educate yourself on it. If for nothing but to put your child at ease. Or to simply know what they go to their doctor, who is a SPECIALIST, for.
There is NO excuse but incompetence and lack of caring. I personally would be offended and very hurt if my parents, one or both, didn’t know what condition I had. Especially if it is something that will be with me for a while.
As a parent that IS LITERALLY YOUR JOB.
IT IS YOUR JOB to know about your child.
IT IS YOUR JOB to do the work to care for and support your child.
IT IS YOUR JOB, you are the parent!
So, my question is,
If you were a parent, what would you know about your child?
Would you educate yourself if it meant taking better care of your child, frankly ANY member of your family?
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