A mom in California got the surprise of her life earlier this week when she went into early labor and had her water break right there in her living room. But for Destiny Padilla, the realization that she was going to have her baby in her own house wasn't her biggest shock -- because her 6-year-old daughter was the one who stepped up to the plate to help deliver the baby!
Destiny admits being scared because her cellphone battery was dead, so she couldn't call 911 for help right away. The only person there to assist her was her little girl, Nevaeh, who understood her mom's fragile state and immediately started trying to keep her calm. And after the phone charged a bit and they were able to get through to 911 operators, they worked together to make sure the baby was born safely. Nevaeh even helped her mom tie off the umbilical cord!
Being the parent of a 6-year-old myself, I can't even imagine being in that situation.
That little girl must have been so worried about her mother and whether or not she was going to be ok! My first concern if I ever fell into a situation like theirs would be how it would affect my son. I hate to even think about him sitting there in fear, wondering exactly what the heck was going on. And honestly, once he figured it out, I don't think he'd be too keen on jumping into the role of labor & delivery nurse.
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Don't get me wrong -- my son is a pretty amazing little dude. He's smart, funny, and has one heck of a personality -- but he's still a typical little kid. I'm thinking he could probably manage to call for help on the phone or run to a neighbor's house, but the minute he realized that I was about to give birth right in our own living room, I'm pretty sure he'd freak. And he'd probably ask me to move into another part of the house so I wouldn't mess up his Legos. (Priorities.)
But then again, there is a possibility that he'd get the whole adrenaline rush thing going on and put on a brave face, which is probably what happened in Neveah's case. I guess you can't really underestimate the maturity level of a young child who wants to help their parent!
Has your child ever helped you in an unexpected way?
Image via rahego/Flickr
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Comments 36
When my daughter was 2, I had passed out at home and she was able to call her dad at work and just say dad. He knew something was wrong so he came home to check on us and then took me to the hospital. And because of this, I had to start giving myself shots and since my husband worked a lot, we taught our daughter to do this and by the time she was 5, she was able to learn how to correctly give me a shot if I really needed her to do so. She is now 15, but was a very brave little girl.
:) That is amazing.
Good article, using spell check or having someone proof read this would be benificial to people like me who are anal bout context and past and present tense... When she delivered the baby it should read: "A mom in California got the surprise of her life earlier this week when she went into early labor and had her water broke right there in her living room." Break doesn't sound right because when you stated earlier this week is when she went into labor that is past tense. Her water broke last night as oposed to the doctor is going to break my water. So this is ment to be helpful not critasizing at all :) take care!!
You know I do have to say that children are resiliant in this kind of situation. They are more capable then we give credit for!!!
@maevelyn Kids weren't delivering babies for centuries. What a ridiculous thing to say. The persons who were historically reported as delivering infant were people called "midwives." If your family couldn't afford a midwife or if you lived too far out for the midwife to get to you in time, then your ADULT sisters, aunts, mother or fellow female neighbors would help you scream your baby into the world.
When children are very mature for their age, its because too much has been placed on their shoulders. They are "little mommies" because they know that if they don't take care of a situation, no one will. This little girl "calmed down her mother" sounds like something she may have had to do before.
Secondly, the cell phone. No one is watching out for a 9month pregnant woman, she's alone, she's not being checked on, and she's careless enough to let her phone go dead...at home, surrounded by outlets.
Also, the fact the 6 year old is named Neveah tells me the mother might be very young.
So... this stops being a heart warming tale, and begins to be something to worry about.