Both my kiddos, Sophie and Max, have asthma that gets triggered by pesky respiratory infections. This means that every sniffle or cough brings with it the looming threat of an asthma attack, wheezing, or tightness in their chests.
Now, in the grand scheme of asthma, they’re not in the worst boat — and for that, I’m truly grateful. Their attacks seem to only spring up from viruses, and thankfully, their symptoms have eased as they’ve grown older. My 9-year-old hardly even shows asthma signs anymore when she catches a bug, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my 4-year-old will eventually kick it to the curb.
But let’s be real: the journey has had its share of nail-biting moments. Kids seem to catch colds like it’s a sport, and what might just be an inconvenience for others is a full-on nightmare for us (seriously, keep your germs to yourself!).
I don’t know a ton of parents with kids who have asthma, but a little research on the CDC’s website revealed that 8.6% of children are affected. That’s roughly 6.3 million kids! Suddenly, I didn’t feel so isolated in this struggle.
Having a child with a chronic condition like asthma can make you feel like you’re on a deserted island sometimes — you’re scared, anxious, and overwhelmed, yet you think you’re alone in it. Trust me, you’re not.
The experience of having a child with asthma is one of those unique challenges only another parent in the same boat can truly grasp. Watching your little one gasp for air, their tiny chest heaving, and feeling their heart race as you anxiously wait for help — it’s absolutely terrifying.
Here are some moments that only asthma parents can relate to:
- Lying awake at night, hand resting on your child’s chest, counting breaths and worrying that an attack might be brewing.
- Holding a nebulizer mask over a sleeping child’s face at 3 a.m., praying the medication kicks in fast enough to avoid a trip to the ER.
- Dreading the first sniffle of a cold, bracing for allergy season, or realizing your child has encountered a trigger, knowing sleepless nights are on the horizon.
- Always being the designated pack mule for inhalers and nebulizers, stressing whether a school nurse or caregiver knows how to use them correctly.
- Battling with your insurance company over coverage for essential meds that suddenly aren’t on the list anymore, dealing with endless “pre-authorizations” and red tape.
- Experiencing the post-steroid bounce, where your child is literally bouncing off the walls and you’re left wondering why no one warned you about that.
- The first time your little one has an attack, racing to the ER, convinced that panic will take over.
- Struggling to hold a nebulizer mask over a thrashing, screaming toddler who is vehemently pushing it away.
- The sweet sigh of relief when the medicine starts to work and you see your child’s breathing ease — even just a little.
Breathing is fundamental to life, and when your child is struggling, your protective instincts kick in hard. No matter how many times I’ve gone through asthma episodes with my kids, the panic always bubbles up. Watching them struggle and seeing their worried expressions is something no parent should endure.
But we, the asthma parents, rise to the occasion like champions. We keep tabs on prescriptions, attend regular check-ups, and carve out time for treatments. And even if we appear seasoned, we still face our own frights — late-night ER runs and many sleepless nights spent ensuring they can breathe easily again.
So here’s a heartfelt shout-out to all the parents of asthmatic kids: It’s a tough road, often a hassle, and sometimes downright scary — but we’re all doing what needs to be done to keep our little ones safe. We don’t seek applause or accolades, but we sure do deserve both.
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Summary
Parenting a child with asthma is a unique challenge filled with anxiety, sleepless nights, and moments that only fellow asthma parents can truly understand. While the journey can be daunting, the love and care we provide help keep our kids safe, even when it feels overwhelming.