Parenting is wild. One minute you’re cruising through the morning routine, and the next, you’re dialing 911 for your kid. That was my reality today. It started with fear, a dash of chaos, and, thankfully, ended with a glimmer of hope—and one of my favorite morning traditions.
It Started at 4 a.m.
Let me back up. The trouble really began yesterday. At 4 a.m., Yael woke up crying about a stiff neck. Not the “slept funny” kind of stiff—it was so bad she crawled into bed with us but couldn’t fall back asleep. That meant none of us got more than a couple of hours of rest.
By morning, though, she seemed better. A little Tylenol, and she powered through her day like the tough kid she is. Mazi checked on her during school hours, and everything seemed normal. Crisis averted, we thought.
Until this morning.
The Morning Spiral
When Mazi went to wake her up, it was clear something was wrong. Yael struggled to sit up, was clammy, and started crying that her belly hurt. Then she threw up—it wasn’t much, just bile, but it was what happened while she was throwing up that sent us into full-blown panic mode.
She got paler by the second, was dizzy, and at one point, seemed to go limp. That was it. My brain flipped into emergency mode. I called 911, and while Mazi stayed with her, comforting her and trying to keep her steady, I scrambled to clear the hallway for the EMTs.
The wait for the EMTs was—how do I put this?—pure torture. You know, when you’re waiting for help, time moves differently. Those 15 minutes were some of the longest of my life. Time slowed down, and every second stretched into infinity. Every passing second brought a new set of fears: What if this is something serious? What if they need to take her to the ER? What if…? Mazi stayed with Yael, comforting her while I buzzed around like a lunatic, trying to clear the hallway. The stroller? Out of the way. Laundry? Shoved to the side. Was I doing this for the EMTs? Sure. But mostly, I was trying to keep my hands busy so my brain didn’t spiral into the depths of parental despair.
EMTs to the Rescue
When the EMTs finally arrived—two ordinary guys and a woman who radiated calm—they jumped into action, checking her vitals and asking all the right questions. Within minutes, they reassured us: Yael’s blood pressure likely dropped from throwing up, possibly connected to her stiff neck and discomfort. There was no need for an ER visit, but we should follow up with her pediatrician later.
Hearing those words? Instant relief. I can’t describe the gratitude that washed over me. It was like the world tilted back into balance.
A Morning Reset
After the EMTs left, Yael started bouncing back. Some food, some water, and she looked more like herself again. And while we talked about the idea of her skipping school, she wasn’t having it. “I have to go to school because that’s where I’m learning to read!” she declared.
Let me tell you, this is the same kid who couldn’t have been bribed into touching her sight word cards two months ago. She didn’t dive into them this morning—there just wasn’t time—but the excitement was there. And honestly? That determination felt like the universe handing me a small win after the chaos of the morning.
Kisses, Hugs, and a Familiar Send-Off
Once Yael was settled, it was my turn to tag out. I left to take Diana to school while Mazi stayed home with Yael. Let me tell you, this kind of divide-and-conquer parenting isn’t for the faint of heart. By the time I got back, it felt like I’d lived an entire day before breakfast.By the time I got back from taking Diana to school, Mazi and Yael were ready to head out too. Yael had her spark back, and seeing her up and moving was a balm for the morning’s frayed nerves. Before they left, I gave them both kisses and my usual morning message: “Have a great day, make good choices, and ask great questions.”
That’s a story for another day, but let’s just say it’s my way of sending them off with a little wisdom and a lot of love.
The Takeaway
This morning was a rollercoaster. From the sheer terror of Yael’s symptoms to the EMTs’ calm reassurance, and finally seeing her ready to take on the day, it was a whirlwind of emotions. But if there’s one thing I keep coming back to, it’s how resilient kids are. Yael faced a tough morning and ended it with excitement for school and a renewed determination to learn.
Here’s the thing: mornings like these are brutal. They stretch you in ways you didn’t think possible, and they make you question if you’re even cut out for this whole parenting gig. Parenting is messy, chaotic, and sometimes heart-stopping. But it’s also full of these little moments that remind you why it’s worth it. Watching Yael bounce back from fear to confidence—and getting to send her off with my signature message? That’s the kind of moment that sticks with you. Would I trade the panic and chaos? Never. Being Yael and Diana’s dad is my greatest joy, even on mornings like this.
