10/06/2024
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙂𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣: 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚.
🧡 "A single moment of inattention can change everything, leaving us with lessons we’ll carry forever."
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I want to share a personal story with all of you, one that has shaped the way I parent and approach safety in my home. It’s not an easy story to tell, but I believe it holds an important lesson for every parent.
When my daughter was just 13 months old, I made a decision that I will forever regret. I entrusted my mother to babysit her, and while my mother had always been loving and careful, there was one thing I overlooked—her medication.
My mother had been on strong pain medication following a car accident, and we had bought her a lockbox to store her pills while watching the kids. That day, as I was at work, I received a call that shook me to my core. My mother had fallen asleep, and my daughter’s breathing had become shallow. Panic filled me as I rushed home, only to find my daughter not breathing at all. I performed CPR, praying for her to come back to us.
She had slipped into a level four coma. When my brother arrived at the house, his young son was sitting near the unlocked pill box. It was clear my daughter had accidentally ingested a massive dose of morphine—300 times what a child her size could handle.
She was immediately flown to the children’s hospital and placed on a ventilator. The doctors were preparing us for the worst, and every second felt like an eternity. Then, something miraculous happened: she woke up the very next day, much earlier than anyone expected. It was the best news we could have hoped for, but the doctors warned us that the damage could still manifest over time. They told us that at any moment, her brain might reach its full capacity and stop developing, potentially limiting her ability to learn in the future.
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Fast forward 11 years. My daughter is now in junior high, and while she is the most joyful, confident, and determined person I know, she struggles in school. Math and reading have always been difficult for her. Recently, her younger brother, who is only a year younger and in a grade below, has started to tease her when he knows things she doesn’t, like math equations or spelling words.
This is where my heart breaks as a mother. I’m torn between sitting them down to explain why she finds school more challenging, or staying quiet to protect her self-confidence. Do I tell her siblings that the struggles she faces stem from something that happened so long ago? Or will that make her feel like she can never catch up to her peers? Will it diminish her incredible spirit, her will to keep trying, and the sense of hope she carries with her every day?
She receives extra support at school and at home. Her older siblings are always willing to help, and we make sure she gets the tutoring she needs. But still, the fear lingers in my heart: how do I support her without making her feel different? How do I balance being honest with her and her siblings without making her believe there’s a limit to what she can achieve?
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The Lessons I’ve Learned:
Be extra careful with your children’s safety: Even within the trusted circle of family, it's important to have strict safety measures. Small mistakes can lead to life-altering consequences.
Support your child’s growth with patience and understanding: Every child develops at their own pace. As parents, it's crucial to offer the necessary academic, emotional, and mental support, while encouraging perseverance.
Foster empathy and kindness among siblings: Teach your children to love and support each other, especially when one child is facing unique challenges.
Nurture self-confidence: Never let your child feel that they are limited by their circumstances. Always uplift them and remind them that their potential is endless.
Today, we are so careful in our home. Nothing, not even a vitamin, is left unlocked. And while the journey has been hard, I wouldn’t trade my daughter’s resilience for anything. She is a bright, happy soul who doesn’t let the challenges of her past define her future.
I hope my story serves as a reminder to all parents: protect your children fiercely, love them deeply, and always believe in their limitless potential.
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Excerpt from Social Media: "My daughter was 13 months old when she fell into a coma after ingesting a dangerous dose of medication. Her life changed forever that day, and ours did too. Today, she is strong, confident, and resilient, but the journey has not been easy. As a mother, I’ve learned the importance of safety, support, and unwavering belief in my child’s potential."
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✨ How do you handle challenges with your own children? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below! Let’s support each other on this journey of parenthood. 💬👇
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