The first few years of life are the most precious, and the most fragile. Some people fear leaving their littlest ones with a babysitter. Others fear exposing their tots to germs via play groups or just dirty floors. I always had the fear of dropping dead and leaving my little one all alone, with no way to fend for herself.
Now that my kids are older and able to open the fridge and use the phone, I feel like that one might have been a little ridiculous. Then I read a story like this tragic one out of Australia and feel like perhaps I dodged a bullet.
Sadly, a 2-year-old girl was left alone inside her house with her dead mother. By the time authorities discovered her, she was barely alive herself.
While the causes of death are not clear in this case, it does sound like the mother had an unspecified health issue. It reminds me of that scene in Steel Magnolias when Julia Roberts collapses and her baby is found crying on the floor next to her. Just thinking about it gives me chills. The only thing this little girl had near her was Easter candy, and that's what she ate to survive. Still, she was reportedly in horrible shape by the time she was found.
Until our babies are old enough to truly get help when they need it, we're all they've got. I wonder if this single mom had family or friends that knew about her condition, and they just happened to be out of town or had reason to not check in with her and her child. The little girl is with her grandmother now, so at least someone is around to care for that traumatized child.
Additionally, neighbors aren't exactly up in your business like they used to be, so it would make sense that no one around her home would be the wiser about the horrors going on inside as a toddler tried to hang on to life as she was trapped inside with her dead mother.
It's the stuff nightmares are made of, mine especially.
What's your biggest child-related fear?
Image via JanetR3/Flickr
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Comments 62
A few years ago my husband ended up in the hospital with blockages. While my mother was babysitting our daughter Mom had had a stroke. My daughter was deathly afraid I would be next. I was stuck at home with her until my husband was released as she wouldn't leave my side and the hospital wouldn't let her in because of the swine flu. You had to be 18 to visit. My entire family was at my mom's bedside an hour + away in a different hospital. They totally forgot about us?
What a horrid week. I had a friend call my house every two hours to make sure I was breathing. Just knowing that someone would call put me at ease. Somehow we got through it and my daughter and I are stronger for it.
I would highly recommend that ALL moms of young children set up a buddy system of sorts for times of crisis. Sometimes you just need someone to call to know you're OK to put your mind at ease. It doesn't cost anything but a few moments of time. Tell your friends to check in if they don't see you at school, on FB and the like. Even a text meassage would work. Just to say we're OK.
Fortunately for me, my parents live right next door and my neighbors' teens come over almost daily. If something did happen to me, my daughter could go get Grammie without even having to leave the yard. The teens just walk in. I seriously doubt my kids would be alone for very long if something bad happened to me. Worst case, DH would be home at about 5:30 or 6.
Wow what a horriable fear ... I am glad she was found!
I have some major health issues, I was worried that one day my four kids would come home and find their mother in a diabetic slumber..Thanks to God, for keeping me..My children are grown..Giving me 7 grand, and 7 great-grand..My Lord, my God, my Savior Jesus Christ..He is not over..until God
says's it's over..And everyday that God wakes us up..Is a great day..Blessed be the Name of the Lord!!
The poor woman who died had featured in a recent TV episode about epilepsy. She was medicated and it was under control, but the authorities think that she may have had a siezure and stopped breathing, but they don't know as yet.
A neighbour had noticed that this woman's washing was still on the line a few days later and thought. 'Oh I must go over and see her,' then forgot about it. Of course she blames herself for not going over there to check, poor woman.
A few years ago a service called, Vital Call, was offering a pendant type device that you could press if you had a fall or were incapacitated in some way. It would call the centre and a someone would come and check on you. They were also suggesting it for sinlge parents or parents with medical conditions alone home with the kids.