An Apple a Day

Since Denise and I are perfect and know everything (just ask Trixie's Darling Husband), we know that you may have some actual real questions about when you should take your Little Darling to see the doctor. Like most of what we've written here so far and will write in the future, the answer is deceptively simple: if you are concerned about your child, you should talk to your pediatrician about it. If this is easier said than done, then you need to find a different pediatrician.

You and your pediatrician's office should be partners in crime, with the singular goal of getting your child to the age of eighteen without major physical damage (it is your singular job, as the parent, to keep said child clean, in school and out of jail.) If you don't feel like you are part of the pediatrician's team in this respect, then you should look for another office. And that's not terrible or bad or mean to the doctor. Remember this about doctors: almost all of them are HUMAN BEINGS, just like you. So, it might be a personality issue or a convenience issue with the office; bottom line is that you need to be comfortable with and able to communicate with your child's doctor.

While keeping in mind that you should call your doctor's office for anything that you feel is concerning, here are a few of the many reasons to call regarding sleep issues:

• You have seen your child stop breathing during sleep (we hope that that was a no-brainer)
• Your child consistently wakes up with a headache
• Your non-teenage child complains of being tired on a daily or near-daily basis
• There is a major change in sleep patterns (waking during the night; unable to wake in the morning; unable to fall asleep at night).