A lesson on parenting from a sick child

 

This is not my kid, but she
definitely gets this look

How can that much snot come out of one tiny child? Seriously? How was she able to breathe before I whipped out the nose frieda?

She got sick about a week ago from Dan. Yes, whenever she gets sick I hold a grudge against whoever made her sick because it is HELL on me.

It's just a cold this time but she is so congested, it sounds like she can't breathe. Whenever she eats she has to stop to gasp for air.

When I try suctioning her nose it's literally a wrestling match. I have to hold her arms and hands down or else she pulls the suction out, meanwhile I am dodging her aggressive kicks to my belly. She has amazing head control and can somehow spin her entire body around just using her head. Gold medal Olympic moves.

It's terrible. She cries so loud, but it needs to be done. When it's finished we hug until her hiccupping cries stop, I wipe her eyes, and all is forgiven. She can breathe again, and my guilt subsides. Guilt over making her cry like that, and guilt for the poor baby she ends up kicking when I didn't dodge quick enough.

Dan came home last night after an entire day of on and off battles with the suction. I figured she would run to Daddy with a SAVE ME look in her eyes. The opposite actually happened. She wanted nothing to do with him. She climbed on my lap during reading time. He asked for a goodnight kiss and she leaned her face toward me. She burst into tears when I left the room to get her water.

Today we are having the same battles, but my guilt has subsided. I know she appreciates what I am doing, even though she hates it with every fiber of her being. I guess that is the ongoing battle of being a parent. Lesson learned.