Chapter 3 - The Pediatrician
Lily’s pediatrician saw her the next morning.
Not because she had suffered a serious injury.
Because I wanted an objective record.
Dr. Emma Walsh examined her knees.
Palms.
Hips.
No significant physical harm.
Then she asked Vanessa what happened.
Vanessa said:
“Lily had a tantrum.”
I looked at her.
“A tantrum?”
“She was destructive.”
“She reached for a butterfly.”
“She knocked over a planter after being told not to touch it.”
Dr. Walsh asked:
“What happened after?”
Vanessa answered:
“I gave her a brief time-out.”
I stared.
“On her knees outside?”
“She refused to sit.”
“Lily tried to stand when I arrived.”
Vanessa’s jaw tightened.
Dr. Walsh remained neutral.
“How long was she on the patio?”
Vanessa said:
“A few minutes.”
Daniel later said:
“Maybe ten.”
Lily had no concept of time.
The pediatrician documented all versions.
Then asked whether Lily had experienced other unusual disciplinary episodes.
Vanessa answered immediately.
“She has severe behavior problems.”
That surprised me more than the patio.
Severe?
Lily was three.
She had tantrums.
Refused peas.
Once colored half a wall.
She was not unusually aggressive.
Dr. Walsh asked:
“What behaviors?”
Vanessa produced a list.
Throwing toys.
Hitting.
Screaming.
Running away from adults.
Breaking objects.
Difficulty after visits with me.
There it was.
After visits with me.
May you like
I looked at Vanessa.
She did not look back.
