A few weeks ago, Lila had croup, for the second time. This time around it was different with no “barking” cough, so at 2am off to the ER we went. Many crazy thoughts of what she had were going through my mind in this 2am fog. I was certain it was that incurable disease I saw on the news or maybe she has developed an awful case of asthma – she’ll never be able to play sports, I’m sure of it.
Once becoming a mom (pregnant actually) this fun-loving gal was sent into worry mode, big-time. It can get to the best of us and certainly got to me. There was a time when I was laid-back…go with the flow…chill, if you will. I was the kind of girl who was up for anything, anytime. As sad as this is to admit – at times, those days seem many moons away. Now with every cough, every fever, every runny nose something is majorly wrong and must be tended to immediately. I used to think, “When Lila get’s a little older, when she can tell me what hurts, I won’t be so worried.” Damn it, I was wrong! And I know it will always be something – it only begins here. Someday they’ll actually want to leave the house without me, then what will I do?
In Real Life 
Heck, I’m 28 and my mother spends most of her time panic stricken about me. It’s a perfectly natural reaction for a mother to worry, but perhaps have some tea to keep calm and groovy.
I agree with it all. My new motto in life is, “It’s always something!!” That goes for the house, the kids… It’s always something! How old is your daughter? I think there is a window where it does get really easy and then yes, we have to worry about them going out without us. Meanwhile, my son is 4 and it’s much easier. He can tell me how he feels and there are actually medicines he can take.. now that is over 4.
She’s almost 4…she’s been sick non-stop since starting school last fall. It’s been a very long sick season! She’s our “perfect” child. She won’t tell us when she’s sick…doesn’t act sick…plays like everything is normal…then we go to the dr because of a fever and she’ll have a double ear infection and strep! The boy on the other hand…we know instantly when something is up.
Perhaps Lila is sensitive to the new school environment. You can get some natural drops that seems to help kids systems cope with the constant bombardment of strange germs. Research these as an alternative. They are given to prevent sickness not after getting sick. – Creche Guard, Linctagon and Septaguard. All natural immune boosters and natural anti-biotics.
Thanks so much! I’ll look into those. We’ve even gotten her tonsils out (with the constant strep) and she still always sick.
Ah, motherhood. Being worried sick in unavoidable and incurable. Every so often I become rather arrogant and think, “I’ve got this. Why do I always worry about things. Everything is perfe–” And then I stop in my tracks and begin wringing my hands and fretting because one child has an unidentifiable bug bite I’m certain is from a poisonous spider and the other will only eat red peppers for the third day in a row. It never ends.
Exactly!
Oh yeh! My nearly 3 year old says frequently, “Stop fussing Mummy”. She’s so got the measure of me…
Hahaha! Cute:)
Love your attitude. Together with a baby, a mother is born, and her life is inextricably tangled with the baby’s life. Because of this bond you know far more about the little one than anyone else does. So trust in your instinct in the face of whatever or whoever. You know what’s best instinctively and you will be educating yourself about this for the rest of your life as your roles change, nurturer, nurse, teacher, confidant, etc. but dont forget to be kind to yourself on this long journey. Your best is always good enough. Also, babies are far tougher than we think. Hone your logic. Look for clues. Follow cause to effect. Be a mom detective, it gets easier. Talk to others who have children. Learn from the positive and negative lessons. And most of all don’t lose the position of boss as Lila grows up. She will have many friends but only one mom. You are doing great!
Thanks for the wonderful advice! You’re so right!
My thoughts EXACTLY.
My mom told me she was finally able to relax once she realized she had no control over what happened to us and she realized we were in God’s hands not hers. Sure easier said than done. Only happened in her 40’s
Oh, I know exactly how you feel!!
Crop is scary. I thought I was going to lose mine because she couldn’t breath. My pediatrician is fantastic and helped me learn the croup cough. For us, cold air works the best–some kiddos respond better to warm moist air. We have spent several night bundled up in blankets on the front porch in the cold air. The good news is that they outgrow croup.
Familiar feeling! And somehow the adventure with the first born is a roller coaster…with the next ones in line I tend to be much calmer. I have gotten perspective…I now know that that the temper tantrum phase is just that…a phase or that they usually get better even if it doesn’t seem like it at 2am 🙂 Good luck and hang in there!