Last week, our 14-month-old son CJ ran a fever for two days. He grew cranky, restless, and barely ate. Naturally, we worried.

A canker sore, or singaw, caused the problem. Every bite hurt, so he avoided solid food and lived on liquids.

His pediatrician confirmed it and reassured us it wasn’t serious. She suggested cold fluids, rest, and safe topical relief. Her calm guidance gave us peace of mind.

This minor scare taught me that parenting often magnifies worry. A simple fever can feel like a crisis when you don’t know the cause. Clarity brings perspective, and perspective makes room for patience.

CJ is back to his energetic self now, and we can laugh at how rattled we were. Still, the lesson remains: parenting means guiding your child through discomfort while keeping your own fears in check. Even minor bumps in the road teach you to grow.

Another Parenting 101 lesson: perspective, patience, and resilience.