Its been a while, but it was bound to happen again at some point! I got the call from the school yesterday that Dekker was complaining of a tummy ache. Apparently he had been upset and crying on and off all morning, so they decided it would be best for him to go home.
When I got this call, I had just gotten all the kids down for naps. I felt a bit helpless for a minute there, but I knew Cher was on her way over for a visit and would be in town within a few minutes. I told the school I’d be there shortly, and they said to come gather him at the office.
As soon as Cher pulled up, I left, giving her a two second rundown of what was happening. There was no panic, but I didn’t want to leave him floating by the office in the admin’s hands for too long.
When I arrived at the school, he was sitting in a doorway with his stuff piled beside him. He looked pretty zoned out. He had a chocolate moustache and a cupcake in hand. I crouched down to talk to him and help him gather his stuff, and heard the high pitched happy little voice that I know all too well.
“Hi, Dekker! Hi, Mommy!” Laela squealed as she walked down the hallway past us. I greeted her back and Dekker stared into nowhere. It was time to take him home.
We walked towards the van and I asked how he was feeling. It had been kind of suggested to me that maaaybe he was upset about having a substitute teacher that day, or maaaybe he didn’t like gym, or something like that. Maaaybe he wasn’t actually sick. So I tried to open the conversation really gently, and asked him why he thought he was feeling sick, and when it started. He immediately broke down into tears, saying his stomach and head have been hurting all morning, and that it had been a really, really hard day. I reassured him that I believed him, and that I was more than happy to take him home. I suggested we’d maybe save the cupcake, and he willingly handed it over. On our drive home, I asked if he’d had any lunch, and he hadn’t. I asked if he wanted some, and he started crying all over again.
“No thanks, mom,” he said. “I think I just want to go to bed.”
So thats what he did! Usually, when I keep a kid home from school, I ask that they nap/rest during quiet time. But he was the one who initiated it, and went totally willingly. I put a bucket by his bed, just in case, and tucked him in, but he resurfaced soon thereafter for his water bottle. He was just shrucking and teary the entire time. He said he was ok, but he wanted to go to bed.
That was around noon. He slept for a good while. I went to check on him around 2:45, and he was awake, but still weepy and miserable. I hugged him, and realized, he was HOT! He was fevering good and proper. I offered him some Tylenol, and told him it would take a little bit to kick in.
“Can I stay in bed while I wait?”
Yes, of course!
So I gave Dekker his medication and he tucked back in. I went to get Laela from school pretty quick after that, and by the time I got home to check on him, he was in way better spirits! He came out of his room and unpacked his backpack from before. He put his lunch in the fridge for another day, and he even played with Wavy a bit!
We haven’t had a sick day in a while, and this was a pretty gentle way to have one. Dekker is such a good sport, and so self aware! I’m very proud of him for knowing what he needs, even when he’s upset, and standing up for himself.
Feel better, Dekker! ❤️