Illness Anxiety and Kindergarten

[OilyMamma]

Hi everyone.
I have some pretty crazy illness anxiety, i get super nauseated and stressed instantly when either kid shows any sign of illness. What triggered this post was my 5yr old got off the bus today with puke on his jeans. He said he coughed too hard and threw up which happens from time to time. But now i am all worked up and likely for no reason. I live in fear of the flu/tummy bugs.
Just wondering if this is just me or if this is normal part of being a parent.
My kiddo is in Kindergarten so he has had pretty well a constant cold since september. Dang kindergarten plague. Lol!
Anyways...
Thanks for reading and letting me vent a little 😁

 

[Zephram]

I wouldn’t say it’s normal, per se, to be that stressed about the possibility of your child getting sick. I don’t personally get stress or anxiety from the thought of my kids getting sick or being around germs, etc. I’m definitely not living in fear of the flu or stomach viruses. Getting sick is a normal part of growing up and it’s very normal and every kid gets sick, especially in winter time.

No parent wants their child to get sick, but you definitely shouldn’t be majorly stressed or living in fear about it. You may have health anxiety if it’s bothering you that much. Perhaps worth talking to someone if it’s starting to get too much?

 

[fxmummyduck]

Hey mamma, yes I’m the same and would say I have quite bad anxiety surrounding getting sick and my lo catching things. I was very nervous before he started Pre school I freak out if I hear there is something going around and live in fear of us all going down with something, it’s a lot worse at the minute being pregnant I’m terrified of catching bad flu or something. I literally avoid doing things or going places if there is an event coming up, or I know we have to travel, which probably isn’t normal but that’s just me! Sorry I can’t help, but feel free to vent as much as you like! Maybe we can help each other!!

 

[jessmke]

I would say that level of anxiety isn't 'normal'. No one likes when their kids get sick, but living in fear of you and your kids getting the flu is pretty extreme. Getting sick is necessary for your kids to develop their immune system. It would probably be beneficial for you to talk to a professional to get some help with your anxiety. My toddler was sick for 6 weeks straight (a cold, then the flu, then hand/foot/mouth, then a terrible cough, then the flu again!). It sucks but it is just a normal part of childhood unfortunately.

 

[DebbieF]

Hi everyone.
I have some pretty crazy illness anxiety, i get super nauseated and stressed instantly when either kid shows any sign of illness. What triggered this post was my 5yr old got off the bus today with puke on his jeans. He said he coughed too hard and threw up which happens from time to time. But now i am all worked up and likely for no reason. I live in fear of the flu/tummy bugs.
Just wondering if this is just me or if this is normal part of being a parent.
My kiddo is in Kindergarten so he has had pretty well a constant cold since september. Dang kindergarten plague. Lol!
Anyways...
Thanks for reading and letting me vent a little ��

Sorry I can't help, but I'm the exact same way. I live in fear of stomach bugs. My son got one in Nov 2016 and he was so ill for almost an entire week. He almost ended up hospitalized because of dehydration. I think that really traumatized me. I'm dreading when my kids start school..

 

[Genlean]

Thank you for sharing, and I am sorry that this happens for you. I have a friend who also has "illness anxiety" with anyone other than herself. As her three children have grown, now 4-8-12, this has become less and less.
Thinking it might be from number of exposures. And yes, "bugs" have always caused stress. Be patient with yourself. Do you have a means of anxiety relief? Have you communicated with your provider?
Always remember to breath.

 

[misspriss]

I have illness anxiety when it comes to vomiting, that is about it.

About a year ago, we had the great norovirus of 2017. We were living with the in-laws (big mistake), right after the holidays where MIL went from nice house guest to passive aggressive bitch from hell, I was pregnant but had not announced, DD just got her cast off from her broken leg. I didn't get it, or barely did, DH and ODS both had a true 24 hour bug, but DD was sick for over a week. We had to put her on zofran so she could keep food down as she was getting lethargic. The in-laws were pretty bad too. It was a dark, dark, vomit filled time. And DD was too young to vomit in the bucket.

It scarred me badly, now I panic at the thought of vomit. I am just now starting to relax a little, DS has had two vomiting bugs and DD has vomited a few times from swallowing mucus. Neither time has been a huge disaster like before and I'm finally starting to let myself believe not every vomiting bug is the big daddy norovirus.

 

[OilyMamma]

Thank you for all the replies. It makes me feel better knowing i am not alone with this. I do have anxiety relieving techniques and my hubby is a big help too so i manage. I know its a part of building the immune system but my brain does not care to listen to reason or facts lol!! Silly brain!
Nothing ever came from this bus adventure so it was stress for no reason. Thank goodness.
Hope everyone is doing well and all are healthy!! 😊

 

[SarahBear]

No, I wouldn't say it's normal. It's annoying when the kids are sick and can be pretty stressful if you have a young baby, but it shouldn't induce anxiety unless it is a serious illness that may warrant hospitalization or is a sign of a major medical concern.

 

[LoraLoo]

I get terrible anxiety when my kkds ARE ill, due to my history, but not so much about general sickness or flu type bugs. Im quite anxious about sneezing though and get irate if people do not cover their mouths and noses.
I know that if we go on holiday, or swimming, or soft play, the likelihood is at least one kid is going to get sick. I hate it but it doesn't stop me doing these things.