Emetophobe needs a handhold (please)

[Crunchymum]

8yo has a tummy ache, 6yo has a tummy ache and feels sick, I feel sick (I'm sure mine is anxiety)

I'm alone as DP is working away.

We go on holiday I'm Saturday.

Honestly....

(all have had negative LFT)

We go on holiday on Saturday

I've managed to get them to sleep. Sick buckets at the ready.

Doubt I'll be able to sleep though

Hand hold. 🤗

Another emetophobe here, with a big handhold

Well done for getting them all to sleep and hope you manage some rest tonight x

Fellow emetophobe sending a handhold and peppermints! Hopefully nothing comes of it and it’s just one of those nights where the fear is the worst thing (that’s still horrible but we would all take anything over actual vomit!). My only ‘coping strategy’ these days is to bury my head in the sand until it happens and then I’m too busy sorting it all and feeling sorry for them to be as bad as I would expect to be. The fear and build up is grim. Try to take your mind off if and get some sleep if you can x

Oh goodness I've been there many times with my emetaphobia.

I go all out prepared in these situations. Calpol, thermometers, kitchen roll, bin bag, marigolds all upstairs. spare bed linen looked out and easy to reach, lots of towels out. I also like to double clean toilet bowl so it's 'pleasant' for any user at close quarters!

I feel better being as prepared as I probably can be. Since being a single parent I've got better at it through necessity but it still makes my blood run cold when someone announces feeling sick!

Just know that you'll be ok if it happens. I'm always amazed by how I just get on with it if DD is sick whereas the thought of coping with it brings me out in a cold sweat!

Thanks guys.

The anticipation is definitely the worst aspect for me. I spiral so quickly.

I will just take it as it comes and hope for the best.

No vomit but no sleep (for me)

Time to revisit therapy. It's just not normal to be this way.

Hand hold here OP.

I’m a fellow emetophobe. It gets much easier as they get older. You will get through it.

Kids have tummy aches for all manner of reasons.

@Crunchymum

No vomit but no sleep (for me)

Time to revisit therapy. It's just not normal to be this way.

I was going to suggest this. I had really successful graded exposure therapy when I decided I wanted to join the police force so would be in first aid situations where I couldn't just run away. I still have a lot of anxiety around vomiting but it is 100x better and I can deal with situations (rather than trying to exit a moving car on a dual carriage way because someone says they feel queasy!!)

@ThatsNotMyReindeer I started exposure therapy just before Covid hit (I had about 4 sessions) but due to the nature of the therapy / as it couldn't be done f2f, I was discharged in the September. I was actually doing a lot better by then as obviously we were all locked down and hasdnt seen anyone so nobody got sick etc.

I have since lost my mum - very suddenly and unexpectedly - so my health anxiety in general has spiralled. Of course having to test my middle child (the one who always has a cough) almost every month to keep everyone in school hasn't helped. I'm always on high alert now for any signs of illness.

And I really don't want to miss our holiday. It takes a lot for me to get away (travel sickness worries) so I'd hate to have the worry about an actual illness hanging over us?

Sorry I'm rambling. I will re-refer myself as soon as I can.

On the upside noone puked. Both are having breakfast, although neither of the lm want to go to granny's today (inlaws help with childcare) so it will just be the toddler who goes. Touch wood, toddler is fine.