Protest
Our home is open planned. The family room, dining room and kitchen are one big room. I like this because I can do food prep while the kids are in the front room. Before we moved into the house Gabriel was 9 months old and just starting to walk. I took the opportunity to child proof the house. Every bookcase is anchored to the wall, all the plugs are covered or tricky to get into, all lighting is done from the ceiling with no need for floor lamps, all entrances to the house lead to linoleum for easy mud care and the carpet is the thickest pad possible for soft falling. I wanted the home to be child friendly. I figured that outside would have enough "No!" and I wanted it to be serious when I used that word. The family room is essentially a playroom with a couch and a Entertainment Center. I figure that my kids are only so young for such a short time I really don't need an austere "Adult" sitting room. Our family room is the hub of the house and where we all spend the most time.
About a week ago Hannah had had enough.
Every morning when we wake I take Hannah to the bathroom and clean her up while she uses the facilities. I usually ask "Do you want to go to the front room?" She usually cheers and protests if I take her back to her room briefly for something I forgot.
A week ago, I didn't happen to ask. But when I brought her to the front room she cried layed on the floor and rolled onto her stomach. She hid her face.
I was groggy yet concerned this was not normal behaviour for her. I started closer examination. I found her left ear full of dried blood. Wait, don't be alarmed since she had tubes in she has granuloma's in her ears. They just randomly bleed but, if unattended it can lead to some uncomfortableness or infection. She also had a molar crowning on the same time. So I hugged her and fused over her as I proceeded to clean the ear out. She cried with actual tears, this is rare. When I was done I tried to hug her but she kept turning to face down. So I rubbed her back and figured she was in pain. I gave her tylenol and layed next to her as I put on her favourite TV shows. She layed there. I was concerned when a hour had passed and she had not perked up.
Internally, I cancelled all my plans for the day and thought I would be making a doctor appointment soon. As the day progress she had no fever but she did not perk up. Eventually, I took her to my room and set her on the bed while I was putting away laundry. Suddenly ,she was up and moving and chatting. I was relieved. But when I took us back to the family room she layed proned on the floor screamed and hid her face.
So I did, a experiment. I tried other rooms she was fine but the front room held no happiness.
She was protesting the front room. She wanted a change.
This went on for three days. We had some major outings and the whole thing cleared up. Cabin fever is not a fun playmate.
--Mom
