When Your Little One is Feeling like Poop

What else is worse than your child being sick?

I know having a toenail rip off or walking into a glass door are pretty bad,  too,  but having a sick child is one of those situations that trigger multiple emotions at once.  It's pretty overwhelming. 

My son started feeling under the weather on Saturday with a congested cough, but he ALSO has had two back molar teeth ripping through at the same time so the combination of that and whatever else he was fighting has sucked immensely. Yesterday was when the insanity really started and he just screamed and cried all day and night when he finally fell asleep after midnight.  Today he is still not feeling well.

I've learned that parents deal with a lot,  too,  during this time.  We go through an array of the following that often,  and rightfully so, take a backseat to your child/children feeling like poop:

Heartbreak:
It's extremely devastating to see those sad,  puffy little eyes looking up at you thus confirming how sick they really are.  Sure,  as an adult we just stick a straw in some Nyquil and tell everyone to leave us the HELL alone, but kids can't do that.  They expect their parents to know what to do and when you can't console them it makes you feel like an epic failure. Hugs and kisses...gotta give lots of those!

Frustration:
OK,  we are human.  After an entire day and night or more,  hearing your little one scream constantly can get a little tiring.  OK a lot tiring.  OK you contemplate sticking a fork in your own head because at this point your just done, but I'm here to tell you that isn't abnormal.  I don't think it is anyway.  There have been times during this stint of sickness that I had to stop and cry a little myself because I just couldn't make him happy.  Frustrating,  yes....yes it is.

Happiness:
What I mean is,  when your kid finally takes some Tylenol or eats/drinks something you do a really bad ass happy dance while clapping and saying, "Yayyyyyyyy!" 
The best is when they start smiling and playing again.  My son had Hand Foot and Mouth about five months ago and it was awful.  Just a miserable,  fevered up boy that wouldn't smile or leave your lap.  Once he started feeling better and was able to crack a little toothed smile,  Mommy was able to take a shower and he was able to run around again causing ruckous.  It was glorious!

Anger....toward your spouse :
After taking care of a sick little one all day,  the last friggin thing one needs is to argue with their significant other just because.  Your a little more on edge than usual and it's easy to take it out on each other out of frustration.  So take the task of caring for the sick babe,  split it 50/50 and high five each other along the way because your doing the best you can.  Sneak a kiss or a hug in there for good measure.  Or slap each other around a little bit,  either way.  You'll get your point across.

So kids have it rough when their sick and their healing and well being is the top priority,  but don't forget to acknowledge your own sanity and know it's ok to lose your shit a little bit.  By lose your shit I mean it's cool to walk away,  take a deep breath and go back and hug your little one. It's frustrating for all involved but your not alone and your little one will be playing with your cell phone and ripping the blinds down in no time!!