Editor’s note: We are NOT medical professionals and this story is simply based on our experiences.
When I was a new parent, I didn’t know about all the viruses that are out there that kids get…
“I’ll just deal with it as they happen,” I thought.
But that all changed once my son got Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.
Why?
Well, for starters, it came as a wake-up call.
It made me wonder “what would I have done differently if I’d know about this beforehand??!”
And, the first time my son had it:
I realized how I needed to approach viruses as a parent sooo differently.
You see…
Missing a week of work AFTER I got Hand Foot and Mouth disease from my son – changed my thinking entirely.
And now that I’m facing a second round of Hand Foot and Mouth (my son has it as I write this), I’m thinking about what I’m going to do differently so I don’t get it again.
Because if I don’t take steps now, here’s what we *might* face again:
Fever.
Lethargy.
Sores all over the mouth.
Sleepless nights – for him and us.
Crankiness.
And more.
For my son.
(And me, IF I get it again).
And, there’s more that it can entail…
You can read a more clinical overview about it here
Now, for the moment…
I wish there was some magic pill that could make it all go away.
But sadly, there isn’t.
Earlier today, for instance, my son was at the doctor’s.
And, we confirmed it’s hand foot and mouth. Unfortunately, since it’s a virus there’s not much we can do.
She said:
” Rest. Fluids. Ibuprofen. And trying to console him.”
That’s about all we can do.
Offer sympathy. And some OTC medicines.
I wish there was more…
As a parent, we always wish we could wave a magic wand and make our babies healthy again.
But sometimes, that’s just not possible.
Yet I’m happy to report, that even though it’s terrible for a stretch, it does go away.
And while you may not be able to cure it….
You can do your best to comfort and console your child.
It’ll still be a roller coaster.
With lots of emotional ups and downs (for you and them).
But you’ll be able to provide psychological comfort!
I’ve found that in the absence of being able to make the physical discomfort go away…
That’s the least we can do as parents.
So if and when the terrifying red speckled virus strikes your household….
You can know that providing emotional comfort and support is the best you can do.
(That and a trip to the doctor to get ’em checked out first)
In hindsight, I’d like to have known advice like this before we ever had to deal with it.
It woulda given me some comfort as well.
That’s why I wrote this post – and why we offer insights and ideas to readers of Creative Parenting.
If you have a story about Hand Foot and Mouth, drop a comment below!
We’d love to hear from you.
