What Would You Do?


When Kristin was turning four and we lived in military housing, she had a little friend who was exactly one year older than her.  And by exactly, I mean exactly.  They were one year apart to the day and had so much fun together.  Her friend's mom and I were friends too.  Our husbands were both in the Coast Guard.  Her husband was on a ship, which meant he would be gone on patrols for weeks at a time.  It just happened to work out that he was going to be home on our daughters birthdays.  So we decided to throw a big party for the two of them.  They were so excited.  

The day before the party Kristin's friend got sick.  We're talking spiked a fever and throwing up all over the place.  With all of this happening she still planned on having the party.  I was a bit concerned, but decided it would be okay.  Besides her husband was going to be on duty over the following two weekends and then back out on patrol for another 4-6 weeks.  How could I argue with that?  Well I couldn't. And her daughter was feeling better.  Of course the day after the party Kristin was the one throwing up and spiking a fever.  I knew how and where it came from.  I was a bad Mommy for not pulling out of the party.  She of course bounced back in less than a day, because kids do.  They are resilient.  But I have to ask...what would you do?  I used to say, I would never do that! I would not have a party if my kid was sick.  Nobody wants to share that nasty stuff.

Well Saturday was Ryan's birthday.  He was so excited.  It was all he could talk about in the week leading up to it.  At lunch before his party, he started to get quiet. He didn't hardly touch his food.  I simply dismissed it as excitement and nerves.  He has a lot a little social anxiety.  We went through his party happily, with fun games and little or no drama!  No drama that is until it was over, and poor Ryan threw up on the patio.  D'oh!  In my defense I had no idea the poor kid was sick.  I felt so bad for him and for anybody he may have shared with!  It's just one of those cases where you end up eating crow!

So I have two questions today...what would you do?  And...have you ever eaten crow?

Comments

Anonymous said…
I eat crow all the time! It goes down better with Pinot Grigio and Reese's cups.

My oldest came down with the flu 3 days before his 5th birthday party. We drugged him up and had the party anyway. We're all just doing the best we can. You won't get any judgment from me.
Rachel said…
Ethan was throwing up on his birthday last year too! It was his first time throwing up and I had no idea what to do!! He wasn't having a friend party though, so I'm not sure. My parents still came over, but we didn't eat cake that day. . .
Liz Mays said…
Of course! We've all been there. I remember sending my daughter to school for a Christmas party when she seemed a little off, and sure enough...I got a call that she had thrown up. I should have just followed my instincts but she wanted to go!
Emmy said…
You have nothing to worry about at all in your case. It was not like he was sick the day before. And hey it was literally when we were leaving and so far, knock on wood, we are all just fine. :). But yeah, if there is something fun I think we often ignore our instincts as we want to have fun too! Not to mention all of the work we put into everything.
Anonymous said…
You didn't know - so you are off the hook. Hope he feels better. :)
Linda Medrano said…
When my daughter was 16, she went to the prom with the boy of her dreams. She was running 104 fever and very sick with a strep throat. I took her to my doctor and she said it was her prom and she was going. He said, "She won't feel like it later"! Hah! She went. No real harm was done but I did tell the boy not to kiss her.
Shell said…
It's so hard to know sometimes. B/c kids can seem fine and end being sick or seem sick and it ends up being nothing. Sometimes you just have to push through with plans and hope it all works out.
mormonhermitmom said…
C'mon! you didn't know the boy was THAT sick.

My kids don't let on they are really sick either. I never know until after the puking has started at 2 a.m.
Jen said…
If you know, you should reschedule if at all possible. You didn't know, so there's nothing to feel bad about.
Christina Lee said…
Yeah that's one of those tough ones and I've ended up on both sides! you just never know!
CB said…
I think "Crow" is a regular item on my menu! Ha Ha
I think there is nothing you can do if you didn't know he was sick. If he was feeling sick earlier he probably didn't tell you because what kid wants to cancel his birthday party. I say it's just one of those things and you will laugh about it someday.
No worries!
Amy said…
The poor guy! Being sick on birthdays should be outlawed. I don't know, I would probably pull out of a party, but more so because I am lazy and it would be a huge sigh of relief to me to not have to go through the stress of the party. Bad mom? Maybe. :)

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