Family Life

when nothing seems to work

helping your sick child

It is when your children are sick, really sick, that you realise how helpless you are as a parent. We always seem to want answers, diagnoses, remedies and cures. From the latest googling of symptoms, to Facebook forum posts of questions asked, to appointments made with the doctor, it is all in seek of an answer and medicine. But what so many people don’t tell you is that sometimes there is no answer and there is no medicine.

The last two days have been miserable for my little man, and the rest of the family. His crying makes everyone else cry, naturally. Crying, unhappy, restless, sore, sleepless nights; it has been a marathon of survival. I simply put it down to a virus. One of those yucky feelings that sweeps over us, with no reason, no cure, just rest. While my mother-in-law always swears by a doctor visit because “that rash could be symptomatic of something else”, I on the other hand saw no point. He didn’t have a temperature, he didn’t seem to be bothered by his ears, and was at times his cheerful self.

But then I can’t help but ask myself if I am the bad mother who does not rush to the doctor at the first sign of un-wellness?

Sometimes as parents we often need that reassurance or comfort from a total stranger to say to us “He is fine. Just give him Panadol if his fever rises.” Or, the most classic. “It is just a virus. There is nothing you can do.” And we leave, and kind of feel better. Because that feeling of being ‘checked out’ that it is in fact just a virus, puts a weird kind of smile on our face. We have not ignored anything.

And sometimes all our children, and us for that matter, need is a cuddle. Or a hot chocolate, or an early night or a quiet day inside. We don’t need a doctor to tell us that. We know that. But yet we still need confirmation most of the time. Sometimes mothers do no best.

Do you rush your children to the doctor? Do you wait 24 hours or so? 

p.s At the time this article went to publication, I did in fact take him to the doctor. The rash turned into spots. Lots of them. I knew what it was, but yet I still did the confirmation that my diagnoses was the right one. Kind of strange Hey?

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  • http://www.jfgibson.com.au/ Jodi Gibson

    Oh your poor little man! Hope he gets better really soon. I tend to wait and see. Most of the time it will be viral and it is just necessary to make them as comfortable as possible until their bodies get over it. But I also think as parents we know when it is more serious. It’s knowing your child, being aware and that gut feeling or instinct that we have to trust

  • Tat

    Unless my kids are in pain, I wait for at least 24 hours… even if it is an infection, it’s usually worth waiting to see if it goes by itself before reaching for antibiotics. Also with experience I seem to have learned just how serious the various colds and fevers are. Hope your little one gets better soon.

  • http://www.havealaughonme.com/ Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me

    I have got a lot less stressed about things as I’ve gone through my three kids – and now wait for the worst signs before heading to doctor, most of time just a virus – hope sickness leaves your house soon!

  • Grace

    Oh, I’m the paranoid parent and rush them to the doctors. I can’t help it. Luckily I have a great GP who understands my paranoia. I used to be embarrassed about it but now I think…no way. I’m not going to risk it just because I don’t want people thinking I’m a looney tune mama. Hope your little man feels better soon!