by Wurdzgurl !!!
Member since:
January 8, 2007

Sick Kid + Baby+Single Mom = HELP!

January 18, 2007 03:22 AM EST (Updated: January 18, 2007 03:31 AM EST)
views: 87 | comments: 22

I awoke from my peaceful dreams to the sound of my 6 year old daughter throwing up in the bathroom.  I bound out of my bed into the bathroom to see how she is doing.  I go instantly into mommy of a sick child mode.

Me:   "Did you throw up in your bed?"
Dear Daughter(DD#1): (coughing and spewing) "No"
Me:  "Sure you didn't throw up in your bed"
DD:  "Yes"

Whew!  I wipe my brow because when we moved to our new place DD#1 went from a full sized bed to a twin and I only have one set of sheets now for that bed and if she threw up in it it would mean either I bring her to my bed or I put her out in the recliner in the living room, or the floor.

Enter DD #2 into the equation.  

 I hear her in the bedroom.  AWAKE!  She and I had been sharing a bed since she had been up at 11 to nurse.

Me:  "I better go and check on your sister"
(coughing and spewing from DD#1)

I walk into the bedroom to see my 8 month old wide eyed and kicking at the sight of me.  With a quick glance over at the alarm clock next to my bed I see that it is only midnight.  Much too early for her to be so wide awake.  Especially when I really need to be taking care of her sister.  

I scoop up the happily awake 8 month old and take her to the bathroom to check on her sister. 
(sisters head is still in the toilet)
My youngest who is not well versed in the ways of the world found this sight to be utterly amusing and started laughing.  With each forceful vomit of her big sister DD#2 would break forth in gutteral (no pun intended) laughs.   My oldest turned her head and looked up, "RACHAEL IT'S NOT FUNNY"

Taking a deep breath I tell DD#1 that I am going to try to put her sister to sleep and let me know if she needs anything.  

As I lie in my bed listening to my oldest throw up while attempting to nurse my youngest back to sleep so many thoughts roll through my head.

  • I'm such a horrible Mom
  • I'm going to have to stay home from work.
  • If I stay home from work I can't really keep DD#1 home with me because then I can't really take care of DD#2.
  • How am I going to get DD#2 to the babysitters so I can stay home with Kendall.
  • I bet their dad is sleeping right now.
  • What in this picture would be different if their father and I weren't in the middle of a divorce would he be helping me?
  • NO!  He'd be sleeping.
  •  I wonder if I have chicken noodle soup.
  • I know I don't have 7up

DD#2 falls asleep and I am able to go in and take care of DD#1 who has by this time returned back to bed with a waste paper basket and has fallen asleep without the help of her Mom.  I find myself back in thought.

I'm such a horrible Mom.

NO, I just gave her a crash course lesson it what to do when she's 22.

*sigh* 

 

 

 

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Comments: 22

robin g. Jan 18, 2007, 4:25am EST
Oh, I feel so bad for you! It's not easy being a mom, and I'm sure it's VERY tough being a single mom. Don't feel horrible! You can't be in two places at once! Hang in there. I hope your daughter feels better soon!
Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Jan 18, 2007, 10:08am EST
You're not a horrible mom-you're doing the impossible in an impossible situation :) It won't get much easier, but you'll get better at juggling and the kids will survive-mine did :)
Amanda F. Jan 18, 2007, 12:22pm EST
Shoot - even those of us with husbands have some serious juggling to do sometimes. I really feel for you, juggling ALL the time. It sounds like you're doing well by those girls even if it doesn't always feel like it.
Wurdzgurl !!! Jan 18, 2007, 12:36pm EST
Oh Amanda I agree with you about the juggling that goes with being married as well. I can honestly say that I had more stress when I was married. I wrote this at 2 this morning when I was frustrated and feeling bad. Thank you for your comments they are greatly appreciated.
Mary McCartt Jan 19, 2007, 12:22pm EST
I know how hard it is now, but this brings back so many memories for me and to be honest, I MISS IT! You will remember this all and realize that you did a great job. Ease up on yourself, kids dont come with instruction books. I told my now 21 year old daughter this and she told me that I was the BEST mom in the world. You will be told the same thing. Keep that in your heart. Try to rest.
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Jan 19, 2007, 1:27pm EST
It is a tough job but you are handling it. Brought back thoughts of when I had 5 young children at home and a dad that never helped. One night they were all throwing up and I was gagging too. I had the washing machine going and didn't sleep all night. The next day I was sick too but still had to keep going. I could have killed my (ex) when he said "Get up and get my breakfast," "Where's my dinner?" I'm glad it is all a distant memory.
Teresa V. Jan 19, 2007, 1:28pm EST
I know exactly what you mean. I don't have 2 children, I only have one and that was a nightmare sometimes, especially being a single mom. There are even times now that I wonder if I could have done things differently. You can only do what you can and don't second guess yourself, otherwise you will drive yourself crazy. I hope your daughter is feeling better and you can get some rest.
Clay Nichols Jan 20, 2007, 1:21am EST
A recent ice storm turned our house into a petri dish. My three have been taking turns getting sick and infecting each other. You capture the frustration well. You're doing important work, even when you're just cleaning up barf. Keep up the good work.
Erin K. Jan 20, 2007, 1:12pm EST
1. First of all, you are NOT a horrible mom!
2. If the dad was there he'd probably be sleeping anyway ;)
3. Ginger ale, saltines, and pedialyte are must haves at all times. You never know when that stomach bug is going to hit and last thing any mom wants to do is drag a sick kid to the grocery store!
4. Is there anyone in your neighborhood you can make fast friends with. This is one of those times when a friendly mom or neighbor comes in handy. Well, not in the middle of the night, but probably in the morning :)
Hope you are all feeling better!
Danette D. Jan 21, 2007, 2:51pm EST
I can relate to feeling like a horrible mom, as I struggle with this issue. The juggling is tough too. On Friday, I was taking my youngest daughter to the ear/nose/throat dr, because she had a sinus infection. While I was in the car, my cell phone rings. It was the secretary at the school calling about my other daughter who had hives and needed to be picked up immediately. I turnded the car around, called the ENT to say I was going to be late, then picked up my daughter at school. I then called my husband. He called our regular pediatrician to get my older daughter checked for hives. He dropped everything and met me at the ENT to pick up my older daughter while I waited with my younger daughter. We then had to juggle 4 different prescriptions at 2 different pharmacies. My hats off to all of you who are single mothers. I have a very supportive husband and it is still difficult at times to manage everything that is part of motherhood.
Anita D. Jan 21, 2007, 4:55pm EST
Oh dear ... poor kid.
Kelli M. Jan 22, 2007, 2:02pm EST
Erin your number made me laugh! He probably wouldn't be actually sleeping but instead standing beside you going.. gross! You don't expect me to clean that up do you? He might even have his own basket ;-)
Erica G. Jan 25, 2007, 9:34am EST
You are a wonderful mom!
I've been there with both of my kids spewing. I slept on the couch with the youngest on the floor next to me so that I could hear her about to spew and rush her to the sink to avoid cleaning the mess. The older one returned to his room for his 30 minute reprieve before returning to the bathroom. I'm not a single mom, but a military wife where I play single mom many days a month while husband does Army things away from home. Again, you are a great mom! I agree with Erin, I keep pedialyte pops on hand for these late night bugs. Best wishes, and congrats for getting through it all, and with a good sense of humor after the fact!
Em D. Jan 25, 2007, 3:31pm EST
I wish I could tell you something to make you feel better!
Shawnee G. Jan 31, 2007, 5:12am EST
Last summer while I was pregnant noro virus (the same thing that infected the cruise ships.) went through my house. First a roomate got it, then my 9 year old, then ME... about 36 hours of extreme flu symptoms, I had never heard of this before. I was calling my OBGYN to make sure baby was ok and my poor 9 year old was taking care of herself with minimal help from me cleaning up her messes when she did not make it to the bathroom.
The second full day I was sick, my 2 and 4 year olds came down with it, man we were a hurting house. Everyone had a bucket in their bed and when they made a mess of their bed, they just drug their pail and blanket and pillow in to lay in my floor and sleep/watch movies. That night hubby got off work, after working 14 hours a day the whole time we were sick up til now, and he spent his whole weekend taking care of me and the kids. I wish he had taken time off before that when I got sick... but we really did not realize how bad it was gonna get, thought it was just flu.
Jackie L. Feb 2, 2007, 12:45am EST
We single moms can only do so much. My teenage son was once in the hospital for eight days (out of state- I had to fly from AZ to CO on a moment's notice with a 14 month old baby), and it was hell. I couldn't get too close to my son, because baby wanted to play with his multiple wires and tubes, and I had to set up a Pack 'n Play in his hospital room. My very sick kid could barely get any attention from me as I tried to keep a very active 14 month old from destroying the place, and she had a cold and was miserable too. At the 48 hour mark I bawled like a baby, I was so stressed out. I felt like the most ineffective mother ever. Then my son's dad and his family showed up, crowded up the room, and never once offered to hold the baby so I could pee, so anger took the place of my guilt, and we all survived the experience.

You can only do what you can do. It sucks, it really does. I hope things have evened out for you now. Enlist your friends- many of them probably want to help but don't know what they can do, so let them know what you need.
Wurdzgurl !!! Feb 2, 2007, 12:03pm EST
We humans, especially the mothers of the species, have such resolve and inner strength. Your stories inspire me. I'm doing well now that the flu has worked it's way through our small house. Last week I was afflicted and now we are all doing much better. When you are face first in your toilet you get a new appreciation for the right toilet bowl cleanser.
Jackie L. Feb 2, 2007, 2:15pm EST
"When you are face first in your toilet you get a new appreciation for the right toilet bowl cleanser."

You're the Confucius of the Mom Crowd.
Wurdzgurl !!! Feb 2, 2007, 9:06pm EST
Thanks Jackie. You never do know when insight will come to you so you need to be open for the experience.
Wurdzgurl !!! Feb 9, 2007, 1:02pm EST
Yes being a Mommy is a tough job with wonderful rewards. Just yesterday when I picked up my 9 month old from the babysitter she greeted me with the most wonderful of open mouthed drooling slobbery kisses. I'd take one of those kisses over any other kiss every day.
necee t. Jun 7, 2008, 1:23am EDT
i hope things are getting better for you and your family... God Bless...

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