What are random acts of vomit? Guest blogger and special needs mom, April Brownlee, (scroll to the very bottom of the guest blogger page to read her bio) answers that question in her first Different Dream guest post. Warning: Those with squeamish stomachs are advised to get a bucket before reading further.
Random Acts of Vomit
“You know, If she were a dog, we’d probably get rid of her. Or at least make her go outside for the day,” I told my husband not so long ago after cleaning up a variety of various excretions my daughter, Catie, left in my home and car. Of course I was kidding. I love my Catie more than anything. Humor is just how I get by. Especially, when raising a child whose GI issues mean lots of “presents” to be cleaned.
I like to call it Random Acts of Vomit. I never know when it’s coming. When she was a toddler, Catie would barf in some random place in our house and go on about her business. It might be hours before I would walk by and discover her unsavory deposit. Catie is just used to it. And now, so are we.
The Importance of Be Prepared for Random Acts of Vomit
We’ve learned to carry barf bags, paper towels and other such supplies in our car. We know when Catie says she has to “go,” she really, really means it. Really. When we travel, we pack twice as many outifts as she will need. It’s kind of funny how methodical we’ve become about it. Restaurants seem to be a popular place for one of Catie’s Random Acts of Vomit. I can almost sense when it’s about to happen. I feel like a medical alert dog sensing an impending seizure. I was so proud of myself during a recent meal at On the Border. I looked at Catie and something about her prompted me to grab my napkin and head for her mouth. I could not have been more precise in my timing. She did her business in the napkin.I disposed of it. And no one else had a clue. It was truly a shining moment for this mom. I have been well trained.
The Consequences of Being Unprepared for Random Acts of Vomit
This incident, of course, follows one particularly mortifying occurrence at the American Girl Bistro where I wasn’t nearly as on cue. If you’ve never been to an American Girl Store, let me tell you… it is wall to wall pink and red and as girly as a place can be. It is a poofy paradise of little girls, their look-a-like dolls and their moms, all dressed to the nines. As we sat in our posh, pink seats in the middle of the restaurant, Catie shot her business across the table with no warning. “Wow! That was like something out of The Exorcist,” my best friend, Delpha, remarked.
Yeah.
The Importance of a Strong Stomach
I guess every parent learns to get over themselves and develop a strong stomach. But some of us get more than our fair share. And I like to be acknowledged for it. I have my hands full. I’m not always great at juggling it all, but I keep on, because that’s what parents do. And when you have a child with special needs, there’s not many opportunities to take a break and pat yourself on the back. But I should. And so should you. Being acknowledged for your contributions as a parent is always important. Even more so when you’re challenged daily by extremes.
Which Camp Are You In?
I’m guessing readers of this post will fall into one of two camps. Those who think this post is disgusting because they don’t have kids who commit random acts of vomit and think the post is disgusting. And those who are falling off their chairs laughing because they do have kids who commit random acts of vomit. For your information, I fall into the second camp. And I can’t stop laughing. Leave a comment about which of the two camps you’re in. Or come up with a new camp and tell us about it, too.
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Hi mommy!:)
Hi mommy!:)
Anny,
Oh, your note brought back memories of the random acts of vomit we experienced when our son was little, too.
Jolene
Anny,
Oh, your note brought back memories of the random acts of vomit we experienced when our son was little, too.
Jolene
Thanks April for the reminder of a reason to be VERY appreciative of Becca’s Nissen. (She still tries to vomit often, but dry heaves and at least no messes).
But on the otherhand, I joined your club and giggling from our newly adopted little Guy’s Random Acts of Vomit and I actually saw other people GAG when Mackie projectile vomited across the table in a crowded Red Robin.
Thanks April for the reminder of a reason to be VERY appreciative of Becca’s Nissen. (She still tries to vomit often, but dry heaves and at least no messes).
But on the otherhand, I joined your club and giggling from our newly adopted little Guy’s Random Acts of Vomit and I actually saw other people GAG when Mackie projectile vomited across the table in a crowded Red Robin.
Yes, Jolene, I have talked to doctors. Actually none have seemed to concerned. I’m in my 60’s and my esophagus is not precancerous and my teeth are reasonably healthy also.
Lola
Yes, Jolene, I have talked to doctors. Actually none have seemed to concerned. I’m in my 60’s and my esophagus is not precancerous and my teeth are reasonably healthy also.
Lola
I belong to the random acts of a g/j tube. Let me tell you that bile does not smell pleasant!
Thanks for the laugh.
I belong to the random acts of a g/j tube. Let me tell you that bile does not smell pleasant!
Thanks for the laugh.
Good for you, Susie. Being an advocate for your child is so important. Your kids are blessed to have you for a mom.
Jolene
Good for you, Susie. Being an advocate for your child is so important. Your kids are blessed to have you for a mom.
Jolene
Hi Lola,
Thanks for the encouragement. So you still have random acts of vomit issues? Have you talked to a doctor about that? Long term, it’s not good for the esophagus you know.
Jolene
Hi Lola,
Thanks for the encouragement. So you still have random acts of vomit issues? Have you talked to a doctor about that? Long term, it’s not good for the esophagus you know.
Jolene
Great article! I did not have a child with random acts of vomit but I was one. By the time I was 10-12, I pretty well had it down and usually made it to the commode. My mother never learned to deal with it well. Now I usually only wake at night and run to the bathroom about 2-3 times a week. SO, hold on to hope.
Great article! I did not have a child with random acts of vomit but I was one. By the time I was 10-12, I pretty well had it down and usually made it to the commode. My mother never learned to deal with it well. Now I usually only wake at night and run to the bathroom about 2-3 times a week. SO, hold on to hope.
I guess I’m in neither field. I’m not a mom of those particular special needs. My oldest was diagnosed with ADHD–which has its own set of challenges, I assure you. I’m not disgusted by the topic, because well, it just comes with your territory, right? I will say that God knew what He was doing giving me children who don’t vomit frequently. I have a hair trigger gag reflex, and I would just be constantly helping them make a bigger mess. Anytime the kids have gotten sick, my husband has had to clean it up. I don’t mind changing all the diapers, but vomit is not my strong suit. But I can redirect an ADHD kid with the best of them. 😉 And I’ve learned to be a child’s advocate with the school system. 🙂
I guess I’m in neither field. I’m not a mom of those particular special needs. My oldest was diagnosed with ADHD–which has its own set of challenges, I assure you. I’m not disgusted by the topic, because well, it just comes with your territory, right? I will say that God knew what He was doing giving me children who don’t vomit frequently. I have a hair trigger gag reflex, and I would just be constantly helping them make a bigger mess. Anytime the kids have gotten sick, my husband has had to clean it up. I don’t mind changing all the diapers, but vomit is not my strong suit. But I can redirect an ADHD kid with the best of them. 😉 And I’ve learned to be a child’s advocate with the school system. 🙂
Sorry, I meant thanks April.
Sorry, I meant thanks April.
Hey Christine, thanks for your first blog, loved your sense of humor or maybe your ability to survive the obstacle course we have all been on before.
Scott
Hey Christine, thanks for your first blog, loved your sense of humor or maybe your ability to survive the obstacle course we have all been on before.
Scott
Okay, I can’t help myself from laughing hysterically. Actually my cheeks hurt from laughing, and try as I might my face is now frozen in a full fledge smile! LOL A friend once told me that we have resilant children, but as parents to those children we are pretty resilant ourselves. Now if only mom’s like us got Girl scout badges for what we endure on a daily basis we would be set for life! Thanks for sharing April. Oh and by the way “Welcome”.
Okay, I can’t help myself from laughing hysterically. Actually my cheeks hurt from laughing, and try as I might my face is now frozen in a full fledge smile! LOL A friend once told me that we have resilant children, but as parents to those children we are pretty resilant ourselves. Now if only mom’s like us got Girl scout badges for what we endure on a daily basis we would be set for life! Thanks for sharing April. Oh and by the way “Welcome”.