Kids just get sick, COVID-19: don’t panic.

Kids get sick. You can’t avoid it.

It’s that time of year. Sick kids are EVERYWHERE! Kids just get sick, there’s no avoiding it, and there’s no reason to totally panic over COVID-19.

My daughter has yet another ear infection, and she has been running a 102+ degree fever. She had to get tubes at 6 months, and I’m worried we could be headed down that road again. Caring for sick babies is hard, it’s like the hardest thing in the world.

They cannot tell you how they are feeling or what hurts, but they try to communicate the best that they can. It absolutely breaks my heart because there is nothing that I can do for her. There’s no magic spell to instantly take the hurt away.

Mama, I just want you to know that you are not alone. We all struggle through this, and we will get through it. You have to tap into your inner strength, and that isn’t even enough at times.

And then there’s COVID-19.

There’s so much hype about the coronavirus. Let me be clear, I don’t doubt the severity of the situation, but if you are healthy and don’t have any underlying health conditions you are probably going to be ok. Kids just get sick, COVID-19 is just another virus to add to the multitude of things that kids can pick up.

I am genuinely concerned. My daughter is 18 months old, and she has been in daycare since she was 3 months old. I’m pretty sure her immune system is pretty strong, but it’s still scary. It’s a respiratory illness, and that’s scary for a tiny human no matter what.

It’s the fear of the unknown. We don’t know what kind of impact this will have on our health systems. Unfortunately, here in the US, we probably don’t have the resources or manpower to handle an epidemic. Hospitals don’t have enough equipment or staff to handle a mass influx of patients at once.

Hopefully, we have nothing to worry about, but we have to do what we can to be safe. Avoid large crowds, and for the love of everything holy, wash your freaking hands. And remember, kids just get sick, COVID-19 should not be a cause of widespread panic.

Let me be clear, I am not an expert on the subject by any means. I’m just trying to offer a little perspective from what I do know.

Sick babies suck.

Even with all the precaution and preparation in the world, our babies will still get sick, and it sucks. It just plain sucks. So, if you are currently cuddling a sick baby feeling completely helpless because you can’t make them well, just know that you are not alone. You are stronger than you know.

At the end of the day, all we can do is care for our kids the best that we can. Take them to a doctor if they need it and keep them as comfortable as you can. You got this, mama!