Stomach viruses are a common occurrence in children, and unfortunately, they come with no silver lining. Kids get sick; it’s just part of their nature. As parents, we strive to be a source of comfort and reassurance. While we may express sympathy and wish we could alleviate their discomfort, we also experience a range of not-so-pleasant feelings ourselves. After all, who really wants to spend their night catching vomit with their bare hands?
As parents, we have to muster the strength to embrace our little ones, even when they’re covered in puke, and sing to them while trying not to gag. To navigate these challenging moments, I’ve outlined five stages of parenting a sick child. Much like the five stages of grief, they remind you that you’re not alone in this messy journey.
- Denial
“He probably just overate.” This is my first thought every time my child throws up. I convince myself that it’s all behind us—over and done with. This means I’ll definitely avoid catching any illness myself in the coming days. It’s just like spit-up, but way grosser since you can see the remnants of dinner. No problem here, right? - Anger/Revulsion
You’re not mad at your child, who is still heaving; you’re mad at the universe. Why now of all times? (Because, let’s be honest, you had plans—no matter how trivial, like folding laundry.) It’s also during this stage that you confront the overwhelming revulsion that has been building since the moment you detected the odor of your sweet child’s insides. It lingers throughout all stages. Because, well, gross. - Bargaining
“If I just give her a bath, maybe the vomiting will stop.” Surely her insides want her to stay clean, right? Or perhaps if I wish hard enough to the Mom Fairy or pray to the porcelain god, it might work. I vow to never raise my voice at my child again. I’ll sing if it means the vomiting ceases. I’ll clean and keep everything spotless if I can just avoid seeing another pile of stomach contents. These sheets are the last clean ones we have, so we really need this to be over now, OK? OK?! - Depression/Fear/Indecision
This is our new reality: a child who seems destined to vomit forever, and the smell will haunt me for eternity. Nothing will be the same again. This is also when the worry kicks in. Should I take her to the doctor? Is this really just a stomach bug? What if I ignore it and something serious happens? Is throw-up supposed to smell this terrible? - Acceptance
If you’re fortunate, things will improve. After catching the last remnants in your 500th clean shirt, your child will likely be exhausted and ready to sleep. In the morning, you can decide whether to visit the doctor. For now, you can clean the floor, tackle the laundry (and then again), take a well-deserved shower, and maybe enjoy a drink while you can—because you might be the next one to feel ill.
I’m grateful that I haven’t faced any serious illnesses in my parenting journey so far. The worst I’ve dealt with is a vomiting toddler who doesn’t quite grasp what’s happening or why you’re holding his head over the toilet. Life has its challenges, and while there will be tougher times ahead, during those dark, vomit-filled hours, I’ll remember these stages and seek the light at the end of the repulsive tunnel. For more insights on navigating parenthood, check out this related post.
Summary
Parenting a vomiting child can be an overwhelming experience. The journey often involves denial, anger, bargaining, fear, and ultimately acceptance as you navigate the challenges of caring for a sick little one. Remember, you’re not alone in these messy moments, and it’s okay to feel a range of emotions as you help your child through their illness.