A reflection on raising kids, the human condition, and the experts who help us figure it out.
I don’t know how people raise kids.
Not because they don’t try—but because there is so much to know about the human condition.
I joke sometimes that spending 23 days in the NICU was the greatest (and most expensive) parenting crash course I could’ve asked for. We had a team of professionals helping us navigate those fragile first weeks—a safety net that came with beeping monitors and round-the-clock care. And when we left? We didn’t stop learning.
We started outpatient physical therapy. That turned into early intervention. (If you’re new here, I wrote about that part of our journey here.)
The depth of knowledge our care team brings blows me away. It’s not just about hitting milestones—it’s about knowing how to support each child as the unique human they are.
Yeah, Google is great. But have you ever tried to self-diagnose an illness? Everything leads to death.
Parenting with Google feels kind of like that.
Our physical therapist and speech therapist? They know my kids. And they guide us with practical, actionable insight that a search bar just can’t provide.
One Question, Two Very Different Answers
Take this example:
I mention that my son has started biting—developmentally normal at this stage. But our PT doesn’t stop there. She explains how sensory processing plays a role and gives us strategies that support his need to explore the world through physical input.
What is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is how the brain receives, interprets, and responds to input from the senses—touch, movement, sound, light, etc. Some kids seek more input (like rough play or chewing), while others can be easily overwhelmed.
Tips for sensory-seeking kiddos:
- Chewelry (yes, it’s a thing) or crunchy snacks
- Weighted blankets or wearing a small backpack
- Obstacle courses or “crash pads” for safe, physical play
- Water play or sensory bins to explore textures
But here’s the thing—it’s not the same for every kid.
We talked about Little Lady next. She’s not biting. She’s not sensory-seeking in the same way. Instead, our PT said she’s what they call “muscularly strung tight.”
Understanding Body Types in Development
Body types impact how children move through the world. Some kids are naturally looser—more flexible, floppy, or low tone. Others are tighter—more rigid, stiff, or high tone. Neither is bad or wrong; it just changes how they learn physical skills.
For Little Lady, we focus on activities that help her stretch, release, and gradually build fluid movement.
Tips for “tight” kids:
- Baby yoga or gentle stretching during play
- Swings or hammocks to encourage relaxation and balance
- Squatting and reaching games to build lower-body strength
- Water therapy or bath play to loosen muscles while engaged
Again, none of this is about comparing milestones. It’s about learning how to meet each child where they are, with tools that work for them.
It Takes a Village (and a Willingness to Learn)
The deeper into parenthood I go, the more I realize: raising kids isn’t about knowing everything upfront. It’s about learning in real time—and letting the right people guide you.
I don’t always get it right. I make choices based on the best info I have, then course-correct as needed. That’s part of the job.
It takes a village—therapists, pediatricians, case managers, other moms, and yes, even a few well-curated Google searches. But mostly? It takes curiosity, humility, and effort.
Because parenting isn’t just about raising kids—it’s about growing ourselves right alongside them.
Uncomplicated Takeaway:
You don’t have to know everything. You can’t know everything. But surround yourself with people who do—and stay curious enough to keep learning. One thoughtful choice at a time.
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