my 6-month-old is wiser than me

helmet head

Lately Clay, sporting his new orthotic helmet, looks as though he’s continually just about to score a touchdown or be shot from a cannon.

And while he does smell a little like a football player when we take it off, the helmet is for his plagiocephaly (aka flat head) - a condition he’s had from birth. We tried everything, from chiropractor adjustments to physical therapist visits, to correct the problem naturally, but the left part of Clay’s head remained stubbornly smooth. Our options were to either hope that over time it would correct itself (and let him grow his hair long should it not) or have him wear a remolding helmet for a few months. Needless to say, we went with the helmet.

Clay doesn’t even seem to notice it; it’s his parents who need a therapy group. Now extremely self-conscious, we have become hyperaware of strangers' glances at our little Evel Knievel. We blurt out the obvious, convinced it must surely be the elephant in the room, the thought on everyone's mind. "This is Clay. He's six months old. He is wearing a helmet." 

Meanwhile our baby remains confident as ever, completely innocent and uncaring of what others think. After all, who wouldn't want to look like Thor? 

-Eleanor

Note From Scott: I still vote for putting my old punk rock band stickers on the thing.