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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be dreading this journey tomorrow

178 replies

SamP85 · 31/08/2015 00:12

We (myself dh ds1 and ds2) drove up to Edinburgh on Friday for the bank holiday weekend and are driving back tomorrow. The problem is that ds1 has come down with very bad diarrhoea (it seems to be the start of a tummy bug)! We can't stay another night so have to face this 6+ hour car trip tomorrow. I am really at a loss on what to do to avoid him having an accident?? I will get him some imodium (if I can find it in his age range) in the morning but other than that I don't know.

OP posts:
Original poster
SamP85 · 31/08/2015 02:28

I have looked up pyjama pants and will definitely get a pack in the morning. It will be a bit more dignified than having him sit on a changing matt and will avoid soiled trousers. We have decided that their is no rush to get back and will be stop every hour (at least) and I will stock up on air spray and wipes in case the pajama pants are filled. Hopefully I can convince him to wear them...

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 31/08/2015 02:40

Definitely give him the Imodium. If I were you I would drive for an hour and book into a premier inn/ travel lodge. It's really not fair to make him travel when he is this unwell.

AndNowItsSeven · 31/08/2015 02:43

Re the work issue legally employees have to give you 24 hours off to find alternative childcare.
Important meeting or whatever it may be is not as important as your ds well being.

Original poster
SamP85 · 31/08/2015 02:50

Thanks AndNowItsSeven but that doesn't apply to a self employed barrister. I know you are trying to help but we have worked this problem through over and over.

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 31/08/2015 02:56

Ahh I see what a horrible situation for you.
Yes I was just trying to help, some bosses can be very unsympathetic when time off is needed due to sick children. Initially I wasn't sure if you knew where you stood legally.
Imodium will be fine for an 11 year old, my Db is a pharmacist and we have asked his advice in the past for dd.

AcrossthePond55 · 31/08/2015 04:01

FWIW I'm in the US and I've given my sons Imodium as children with no problem. The correct dosage for an 11 year old can easily be found on the internet. As a Coeliac, I've used it myself also. I've found that it takes around 24 hours to start working so I'd get him started on it ASAP.

As a Coeliac, I've also had a few of those 'get me home NOW road trips' although nothing quite so long as yours. I usually have need of a 'sick bucket' (you can't be too sure he won't also get nauseous), and for diarrhoea plenty of plastic bags, disposable pants and extra absorbent pads to provide 'extra protection', a vast amount of baby wipes, bottled water to help clean up with, nappy creme, a plastic sheet and plenty of towels. And a can of air freshener. I know that sounds silly, but you won't be sorry.

I don't know if you have it readily available there, but a good 'home remedy' is Horchata. It's a rice based fruit flavoured bottled drink we usually get in Mexican markets.

HexBramble · 31/08/2015 04:44

That's a good point - he could very well start vomiting too, poor mite.
The PJ pants are good although I'd buy the girls since boy pants are designed to hold moisture in th front, if you see what I mean? Or buy the boy pants and get him to wear them backwards? Oh heck - I'm not sure.

Poor thing - your job puts you in an impossible situation with this. Fingers crossed your lad will sleep through it.

Another thought - should he avoid food altogether with a stomach bug?

Make sure he's hydrated though or he'll feel doubly bad. Shake all the gas out of 7up for him to sip - more palatable than Diyoralite and has a good balance of salts and sugars.

HexBramble · 31/08/2015 04:48

Plus, if he has stomach pain with this bug, keep a bottle of well-shaken coke with you for him to sip. I read years ago that the red coke (full sugar) contains a tummy settling chemical and is ideal for children with tummy bugs and pain. I've done it twice with my DC and it seems to bring them some relief. Not the best of drinks, but a handy remedy in this situation.

HexBramble · 31/08/2015 04:49

Pillows and a blanket, possible a hot water bottle in th back if he wants to curl up?

Good luck OP Sad

AcrossthePond55 · 31/08/2015 05:01

The flat coke is a good idea hex. Some pharmacies (the smaller family-owned ones) often have bottled coke syrup behind the pharmacy counter for upset stomachs. Not sure if it's available in the UK, but wouldn't hurt to ask.

HexBramble · 31/08/2015 05:15

Across that's interesting. Whereabouts are you in the world?

FindoGask · 31/08/2015 05:40

Flat coke is indeed miraculous for tummy bugs, my dad used to give it to me as a child. Good luck for the journey today.

Egghead68 · 31/08/2015 05:54

Can you and DS get the train and sit near a loo?

steff13 · 31/08/2015 06:03

They sell Immodium here for kids under 12. Weird that you all don't have it.

But, seeing as he's 11, I'd give him the regular Immodium, and it probably wouldn't hurt to put him on a the BRAT diet until he gets home. I'd pick up some baby wipes too, if you don't have any. I find them easier on the tushie when you've been sick than regular toilet paper is.

BikeRunSki · 31/08/2015 06:03

If he is that poorly, who will look after him on Tuesday when you are at work?

Bakeoffcake · 31/08/2015 06:23

I'd give him Imodium, as they sell it for 6 year olds in other countries, he should be fine. I'd then set off and see how it goes. I'd take a lot of spare clothes, wipes and carrier bags so any soiled stuff can go straight in a bag and in the bin. Hope fully the Imodium will work and he will be ok.

Take plenty of liquids with you also so he doesn't they dehydrated. Good luck!

Chottie · 31/08/2015 06:27

If one of you has to get home, why can't this parent and well child get the train home, while the other parent books into a hotel with ill DS?

HaPPy8 · 31/08/2015 07:07

That is going to be a horrible horrible journey for an 11 year old. Seriously how would you feel if you had diarrhoea and had to sit in a car in a nappy for several hours in poo until you reached a service area where it could be changed?

Also, I thought it wasn't advised to give immodium with a stomach bug as you are essentially keeping the bug inside.

Walkacrossthesand · 31/08/2015 07:23

Don't ask a pharmacist for advice about Imodium, they are duty bound to tell you not to give it to under 12's.

It's all about licensing not safety - the only reason it's not 'licensed' under 12 is because the necessary hoops haven't been jumped through, not because it's actively dangerous. As PP has said, how is his system different from a 12 year old's, after all?!
As it can be prescribed by a Dr for under 12s, and it's available OTC, I would use it today to dry up the squits for the journey. Good luck!

DonnaLyman · 31/08/2015 07:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Happfeet2911 · 31/08/2015 07:29

Give him the Imodium, the drive is very do able in 6-7 hours and be prepared to stop, plenty of wet Wipes to hand. If you miss the traffic you will be fine, I've spent four hours travelling 15 miles on the m25, so I can't see what the comment about Birmingham hoped to achieve.

RaskolnikovsGarret · 31/08/2015 07:30

Could you travel tonight instead - gives him today to recover?

sashh · 31/08/2015 07:37

Can one of you and your ds travel by train or coach?

Obviously it depends on whether he has any warning, I understand an accident would be less embarrassing in the car.

bittapitta · 31/08/2015 07:37

Great idea Donna let's infect everyone else enroute from Scotland to London today!

Hope you got some sleep OP. In your situation I'd drive an hour or so out of Edinburgh to a Travelodge or similar and all stay there until he can manage the journey. One of you can head back by train, the one who needs to go to work more urgently.

SoupDragon · 31/08/2015 07:42

Can the parent who isn't a self employed barrister stay somewhere with your DS and the other one go home by other means?