Both of my kids live with asthma, specifically the kind triggered by respiratory infections. This means that whenever they catch a cold, there’s a looming threat of a serious asthma attack, tightness in their chests, or wheezing sounds.
While I recognize that their situation isn’t the worst, I still feel a wave of gratitude. The only significant triggers seem to be viruses, and thankfully, their asthma symptoms have eased as they’ve grown older. My 9-year-old rarely shows any signs of asthma now, and I’m hopeful my 4-year-old will eventually outgrow it too.
Yet, this doesn’t diminish the fact that I’ve faced some truly frightening moments with their asthma, and I still do at times. Kids seem to catch a million colds each year, and what might be a mere inconvenience for some turns into a unique kind of hell for my family—so please, keep your germs to yourself!
I’ve only connected with a few parents in similar situations, but according to the CDC, about 8.6% of children are affected by asthma. While that might not seem like a huge figure, it actually represents around 6.3 million children. Learning this statistic made me feel a little less isolated.
Having a child with a chronic condition like asthma can often feel isolating. It’s easy to believe you’re the only one grappling with fear, anxiety, or an overwhelming sense of helplessness. But you are not alone.
The experience of raising a child with asthma is unique, reserved for those who truly understand. Watching your little one struggle to breathe, seeing their chest heave, and feeling their tiny heart race can be utterly terrifying. You’re left wondering how quickly you can get help when things begin to escalate.
Here are some experiences only parents of asthmatic children truly understand:
- Lying awake at night with your hand on your child’s chest, feeling their breaths and worrying an attack might be starting.
- Holding a nebulizer mask over a sleeping child at 3 a.m., praying the medication works so you can avoid an emergency room visit.
- Feeling a wave of anxiety at the first sign of a cold, dreading allergy season, or discovering your child has been exposed to a trigger, knowing sleepless nights are ahead.
- Always carrying inhalers and nebulizers, anxious that a school or caregiver won’t know how to use them correctly.
- Battling with your insurance provider when a long-time medication suddenly isn’t covered, dealing with the headaches of pre-authorizations and red tape.
- The chaos after administering a liquid steroid, watching your child bounce off the walls and wondering why no one warned you about this.
- Rushing to the ER during your baby’s first attack, convinced they won’t make it through.
- Trying to hold a nebulizer mask over a screaming toddler who is fighting you with everything they’ve got.
- That incredible relief when you see the medication taking effect and your child begins to breathe a little easier—just a bit—and you start to believe they’ll be okay.
Breathing is essential for life, and when your child struggles with it, all your protective instincts kick in. Despite knowing that medication will help, the panic never quite goes away. Watching your child breathe rapidly and seeing their fearful expression is something no parent should ever have to endure.
But we, as asthma parents, rise to the challenge with unwavering strength. We manage our children’s prescriptions, attend their asthma checkups, and devote time to administering their treatments. Even seasoned parents still face moments of panic—making late-night trips to the ER and spending countless nights awake until our children can breathe easy again.
So here’s a heartfelt salute to all the parents navigating the challenges of asthma: It’s tough, often a nuisance, and frequently terrifying, but we do what it takes to keep our children safe. We don’t seek accolades or admiration, yet we all deserve recognition for our resilience and dedication.
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In summary, being a parent of a child with asthma is a unique journey filled with challenges, fears, and moments of triumph. Together, we navigate this path, supporting one another as we fight for our children’s health and well-being.
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