I’ve always struggled with health issues. I like to joke that my body hates me, but the truth is that autoimmune problems are confusing, unpredictable, and often exhausting. Over the years, I’ve learned how to advocate for myself. I know my body, I know its patterns, and I know when something is off even when the symptoms don’t make sense to anyone else.

One of my biggest challenges has been my skin. For years, I dealt with recurring hives that would flare up out of nowhere. I went through the whole medical relay race: my primary doctor, then a dermatologist, then biopsies, then an allergist. After multiple rounds of steroids just to keep the hives under control, I finally landed on a monthly shot that keeps my body from attacking itself. It’s not perfect, but it’s manageable.

Unfortunately, this is one trait I passed on to my kids.

Both of them get random, unexplainable rashes. We have an entire drawer of creams  and of course, the first one never works. My daughter, who is currently enjoying the rollercoaster of puberty, has been dealing with a recurring rash lately. When I asked her about it, she shrugged and said she thought it was just zits.I told her that I didn’t think so that it looked like the same rash we’ve battled before.

And then it happened.
The sentence I hoped I’d never hear.

“I hate my body. Why do I have to have this?”

My heart cracked. I know that feeling too well  the frustration, the embarrassment, the helplessness. I hate knowing she may face some of the same struggles I’ve had. But in that moment, I also saw an opportunity to share what I’ve learned through my own battles.

I told her it was okay to feel sad or frustrated. It’s normal to have moments of pity or despair when your body doesn’t cooperate. Her feelings were real, valid, and completely human.

Then, once she felt heard, I shared how I cope.

I reminded her that while this rash is annoying and uncomfortable, it’s also treatable. There’s a cream that will make it go away. Some people live with things that don’t go away, scars, chronic pain, or illnesses without clear treatments. Putting things in perspective doesn’t erase the frustration, but it can make it easier to carry.

She nodded. She understood. And we moved forward together.

Now we just have to find the right cream.
And honestly… why don’t I label them?

Moments like this remind me that parenting isn’t just about solving problems it’s about walking beside our kids as they learn to navigate their own bodies, emotions, and challenges. I can’t take away every rash, every flare‑up, or every frustration, but I can teach my daughter how to face them with honesty, perspective, and resilience. And maybe that’s the part that matters most. Our bodies aren’t always easy to live in, but learning to meet them with compassion even on the hard days is a skill worth passing down.

If you’re raising a child who struggles with health issues, big or small, take a moment this week to talk openly about it. Validate their feelings. Share your own experiences. Remind them that their frustrations are real  and that they’re not alone. And maybe, just maybe, take a look at your own “drawer of creams” and label a few things. Future you will be grateful.