You know how when taking various night-time cough syrups you are warned not to “operate heavy machinery” or “make important decisions” while under the influence of the medicine? Both important warnings, I can assure you, but I wonder why there isn’t a warning that says “do not operate children” while under the same influence? Aren’t they just as important and hard to manage as driving and making important decisions?
I only bring it up because I’ve had a lot of experience with it this week. I have been suffering from the mother-of-all-colds since Wednesday and have barely been able to function. The doctor prescribed good ole decongestants as my medicine of choice, with the caveat that they would probably make me drowsy. I read the warning labels but took the medicine anyway figuring that I just wouldn’t drive anywhere or make any decisions on my Will until I was better.
What I didn’t realize is how incapable of taking care of my two-year old I would be. Between the medication (which I only took at night, btw) and the swimming/stuffy head symptoms of my cold, I literally had to park poor Henry in his “cage” on the floor in front of the TV and play movie after movie while I slept on the couch beside him. I feel like I really didn’t have much other choice. What do you do when you’re sick and not able to stand for more than five minutes let alone care for a toddler?
Finally, after four days of taking this medication, I am on the mend. I’m still a bit drowsy and I haven’t left the house since last Wednesday, but I feel as if my cold is starting to dissipate. The best news is that sweet Henry is no worse for the wear. Yes, we’ll have to go on some serious video detox for the rest of the week, but other than that he’s good.
Still… I really would like to see a “do not operate children” warning added to the label. I don’t know that it would help all the mothers out there who don’t have much of a choice, but at least it would make me feel better.
Related Posts:
)
5 comments