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Supermom and That Silica Gel Dilemma
by Jessica Hartman
Updated: Dec. 19, 2016
Originally Published: April 6, 2012
It was just another regular Friday evening. I arrived home from work to find my husband, a dedicated stay-at-home dad, looking utterly drained after a long day of wrangling our energetic 2-year-old. As soon as I unloaded the groceries, he declared that he was clocking out for a well-deserved snooze.
Being the supermom that I am, I had anticipated this moment and picked up a rotisserie chicken from Costco, despite my husband’s usual protests about its lack of organic credentials. Well, tonight’s dinner was going to be hormone-infused goodness! I served our carefully curated meal while donning my trusty Wonder Woman pajama pants, as my son devoured his Costco chicken, croissant, and organic Fuji apple. Meanwhile, I glanced at the clutter on our kitchen table and spotted the picture frames I ordered for the school photos. I didn’t even know they had arrived! Feeling like a multitasking champ, I thought, “I’ll just frame these while he eats.” Surely, that makes up for serving him chemically-treated chicken.
While my husband snoozed in the bedroom, my son was busy shoveling food into his mouth. Just as I finished putting the photos in the moderately priced frames I had landed from Amazon, I felt the sudden urge to pee—it was urgent. I moved my son’s food out of his reach and asked him to swallow whatever was in his mouth, a precaution to ensure he didn’t choke while I was away. Yes, I call it “potty”—don’t judge!
I was gone for less than two minutes—just enough time to relieve myself and wash my hands. No scrolling through social media, just a quick in-and-out. When I returned, I was greeted by a scene that sent my heart racing: my little one was sitting amidst the wreckage of the picture frame boxes, inexplicably having reached them on the table.
He was holding something out to me, which I initially thought was just a scrap of cardboard. As I leaned down to take it from him, he proudly proclaimed, “I ate it.” That’s when I realized he was trying to offer me one of those little silica gel packets with the ominous “DO NOT EAT” label. Panic set in as I snatched it from his hand, checking for any sign of moisture. Thankfully, it was dry.
I asked him if he had really put it in his mouth, and he confidently replied, “Yes, I ate it.” My heart sank as I spotted the empty silica gel packet, a corner missing and damp with his saliva, with a few tiny beads rolling around on the table. I don’t recall my exact physical reaction, but I can assure you that my adrenaline spiked enough to wake the neighbors. I shouted for my husband and began searching my son’s mouth for any remnants while unbuckling him from his booster seat.
I called for my husband again, who was blissfully unaware due to his earplugs. He finally woke up when I burst into the bedroom, flipping on the lights and urging him to rise immediately. I tossed my little troublemaker onto the bed and recounted the alarming situation. In a flurry, I searched for my phone but couldn’t find it, so I grabbed my husband’s instead. Luckily, he is always prepared, and Poison Control was right there in his contacts.
Unlike the frustratingly slow response time of 911 in Los Angeles County, Poison Control picked up quickly. A calm and professional woman answered, “Poison Control,” and I blurted out, “My toddler ate the silica gel packet.” Mentally, I was already plotting my route to the nearest children’s hospital. But then she reassured me, “This is actually one of our most common calls. He’s perfectly fine.”
She explained that the warning on the packet is due to choking hazards, while the pellets themselves are harmless as long as he’s not choking or in distress. After a brief chat, she took down some information and hung up, leaving me feeling a bit lighter.
My husband had walked in and could sense my relief. I relayed the good news, placed his phone on the counter, and then I completely lost it—ugly crying, the kind where snot drips down your face, definitely not worthy of my Wonder Woman pajamas.
To make matters worse, my little guy had followed behind his dad and was now picking up the silica pellets off the floor and trying to eat them. We quickly intervened, clearing his mouth and whisking him out of the room to clean up the mess, while I fought back tears. What if it had been something toxic? The thought haunted me.
My husband pulled me aside, offering consolation. “He was never in any danger. He’s okay. I’m going to put the laundry in the dryer. Try not to harm him while I’m gone.” It was just another Friday night, and as I reflected on all the craziness we had faced, I realized that maybe I did deserve those Wonder Woman pajamas after all.
And seriously, screw that silica gel! For more insights into parenting and the unexpected challenges of motherhood, check out this blog post on home insemination. If you’re exploring the world of home insemination, Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit is a reputable resource. Additionally, Healthline offers excellent information on intrauterine insemination and related topics.
Summary:
In this humorous yet relatable tale, Jessica recounts a frantic Friday night when her toddler ingested a silica gel packet. Despite the chaos, she learns that the situation wasn’t as dire as it seemed. With a touch of humor and a reminder of the unpredictability of parenting, she reflects on her supermom status, realizing that even the most chaotic moments can lead to growth and understanding.