Be Prepared With Kids, Don’t Make This Mistake

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I recently found myself in a situation where I had to take a sick five year old and his two year old brother to an urgent care for a probably ear infection. It was a Saturday I hoped that care clinic at a chain drug store would be a good option without a long wait. I easily find the clinic in the back of the store near the pharmacy, check in at the computer and discover that there are two people ahead of us. Each visit lasts about thirty minutes and the wait for the three of us is almost unbearable.

My sick son is in awful pain and his fever seems to be growing worse as we wait. I feel helpless as he curls up in the waiting chair and tears stream down his face about every fifteen minutes as he reaches for his ear. My two year old is trying to run around the store and touching every thing in sight. Despite the fact that I am rubbing his hands with antibacterial gel every 15 minutes, I am almost certain that he will be sick next. He is begging for something to eat but I have brought nothing. I did bring him something to drink but I notice that his diaper is at full capacity and bulging with wetness. In my haste to leave, I did not bring diapers. We have waited over an hour and I did not want to risk leaving the waiting area that could result in losing our position in line, to buy food or diapers.

Reluctantly, I reach in my purse for my last resort sippy cup of juice. As soon as my fingertips reach into my purse, they come in contact with a cold, wet, sticky substance that is sloshing around the bottom of my beloved leather bag. “NO!” I almost cry out loud. As I look inside, I find that the cup has tipped and spilled the juice inside my bag and soaking all the contents inside, including my new Christmas wallet. I am also fighting a head cold, have a nasty cough and have almost completely lost my voice. I try to hold my composure while I find some tissues to soak up the liquid inside my bag and say a silent prayer that we will be seen soon.

The hour and ten minute wait seemed more like ten hours as my head continued to pound. The three of us sounded like a coughing band, almost in rhythm with each other. I struggled between wanting to comfort my sick son and needing to chase my toddler. Next time, I would take the extra 10 minutes to pack a tote with snacks, diapers, games, books and anything else that might be helpful when waiting with kids. I did not plan on a wait that would be that long. I will know for next time. Always be prepared when you are with your kids. You just never know.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.