| Dear Granny,We know you mean well. Really, we | | | | kids wore special shoes and braces to straighten |
| do. And we acknowledge that your well-meaning | | | | out their feet. But lots of other kids didn't get |
| often translates into wonderful actions. You | | | | those special shoes and braces. And you know |
| support America's first-time moms with your | | | | what? Most of their feet straightened out just |
| experienced advice, you volunteer to watch | | | | fine. Those that didn't straighten out completely |
| grandkids when they're too sick to attend | | | | had few long-term problems. Most could walk and |
| daycare, and you have taken on the noble | | | | run and jump and skip just fine. Our doctor will |
| responsibility of raising grandchildren fulltime when | | | | keep an eye on the feet, and if he's concerned |
| their parents are sick or neglectful or imprisoned. | | | | he'll send us to an orthopedic specialist. You voiced |
| What's more, you take on this job at a time | | | | your concern. We heard it. Now, please, drop |
| when you should be enjoying the freedom of | | | | it.One more example: Ears. The infections aren't |
| retirement. For these actions, we salute you. | | | | our fault. We don't smoke around Little Johnny, |
| Really, we do.However, it has come to our | | | | and he doesn't go to daycare anymore (since you |
| attention that at other times your well-meaning | | | | agreed to watch him). Our pediatrician says those |
| has turned into persistent nagging. In an effort to | | | | two things are the biggest ones we can control. |
| protect your grandchildren from the idiocy of their | | | | The ear infections aren't from water or wind or |
| parents, you have gone overboard. Now before | | | | change of weather. They're from mouth bacteria |
| you dismiss our complaint as the ramblings of a | | | | that get into the middle ear through the |
| bunch of disrespectful youngins, please allow us to | | | | Eustachian tube, a natural connection between the |
| describe a few concrete examples of the | | | | throat and ear. Little Johnny has a floppy |
| problem.Let's start with diet. Could you please limit | | | | Eustachian tube. Bacteria go up the tube and get |
| your complaints to once a month? We know full | | | | trapped when the tube flops closed. Add a little |
| well that you believe Little Johnny is starving. But | | | | mucus from smoke or allergies or viral infections, |
| you know what? We don't share your concern. | | | | and the situation gets worse. You can't get rid of |
| It's okay if you feel his ribs. In case you haven't | | | | the mouth bacteria--they're supposed to be there. |
| noticed, there's a bit of a weight problem in | | | | Get rid of them and you'll invite thrush to grow, |
| America today. Surprised? You shouldn't be. After | | | | and we don't want that either. We'll keep doing |
| all, how many years did you pile on the food and | | | | the antibiotics as long as our doctor tells us to, |
| tell us to clean our plates? Our pediatrician tells us | | | | and when he suggests surgery, we'll go with that. |
| it's healthy for toddlers to graze--as long as they | | | | The antibiotics don't stain teeth or stunt growth. |
| get a healthy diet with all the food groups over | | | | Sure, antibiotic resistance is a problem. We |
| the course of several days. Eating only when | | | | understand that. We appreciate your keeping up |
| you're hungry and stopping when you're full is a | | | | with the medical literature. Still, if our doc says it's |
| good habit to foster. Feeling guilty about throwing | | | | best to stick with them, that's what we'll do.As |
| out left-overs is not. Sure, there are starving kids | | | | we draw this letter to a close, please understand |
| in other parts of the world. You taught us that. | | | | our aim is not to offend. After all, you were an |
| What we didn't get was the connection between | | | | excellent parent. You raised us. You have lots of |
| our table scrap and those starving kids. Were you | | | | experienced advice to share. But let's face it, |
| going to box up the left-overs and send them to | | | | raising four kids is not the same as seeing 30-40 |
| Africa? No. So please forgive us for skipping that | | | | kids a day. Our pediatrician's advice wins over |
| lesson.Next, let's talk feet. So what if they turn in | | | | yours. You may not agree with him. That's fine. |
| or point out a little? We'll show our doctor and | | | | But please, let it go and stop nagging us.Love |
| we'll let him do an examine. If he says they're | | | | always,Your ChildrenCopyright 2006 Mike Patrick |
| fine, we're going with that, and we wish you | | | | Jr, MDMike is an American pediatrician. |
| would too. Look, we understand back in your day | | | | |