It starts right out the womb after delivery; babies cry entering into the world and everyone else is crying because they finally arrived. The new parents devour books for help in dealing with this crying individual. As time goes on and with each new stage, we find ourselves in new crying territory. What causes the crying as a baby is far from what causes the crying as a teen.
The Infant
“I think he is hungry!” says Mom anxiously.
“No, I think he is tired.” says Dad with a look of confusion.
“But on page 10 of this book it says if he arches his back, and turns his head to the right it’s hunger,” argues Mom.
“But in this book it says its gas if he is arches his back after 3 pm but before 8 pm.” “Now what?” asks Dad, exhausted.
Each passing day, parents learn clues to solve the case of the crying baby. When he tightens his fist he’s hungry. If she gasps for air twice before crying she wants her pacifier. These clues are not found in a book. They are only found within the babies who are crying. Over time a parent can predict a cry before it happens.
The Toddler
Toddlers can babble and spit to communicate what they want to prevent a cry.
“…ba, bab, bab,” says the toddler and he is pointing. Problem is, he is pointing what could be 20 different items lying on the floor.
“Do you want the teddy bear?” asks Mom.
“…Ba, Bab, BAB,” spits the toddler. At this point he is ramping up. Eyes narrow, fists clench and his left foot kicks out. Mom has learned that if his left foot kicks out, she is in for a huge tantrum.
“Is it your block?” asks Mom.
“…BAB, BA, BABBBAAA!” he answers. Tantrum commences. Toddler is crying and mom feels like crying.
The preschooler…
He pushes the puzzle on the table. Other preschooler pushes back the puzzle. He pushes the puzzle on the floor. Other preschooler starts crying.
The school age child…
This one can skin his knee, fight with a friend or feel he has lost all ability to cope, yet will not cry in front of his friends. Best friends are made and lost in a day, skinned knees bleed and peer pressures start to grow. During it all the school age child will wait until he is home or safely in the car to let loose the wail. However, there is a sneaky side; this is the cry with no tears and one eye open and focused on Mom to see if the crying will get the little brother in trouble.
Tweens and Teens
This is the age where the tears start reversing. Parents cry.
The Mom drives the teen to school then practice then to the store for the binder she needs for science class. Mom then cooks dinner, irons the costume for the play and says, “Yes,” to the request to have a friend over on Saturday night. Two hours later the teen is shouting, “You never do anything for me!” after being told she cannot borrow mom’s earrings for school tomorrow.
Or maybe, one day, it happens, just for a moment…”Mom, I know you are not feeling well and have too much to do, don’t worry about dinner, I’ll cook it.” You think to yourself, I must be doing something right… and cry.
When they leave the house…you’ll cry again.
