I was chatting to a mummy at school this morning and I remarked how her son still wasn't looking 100%.  To which she started telling me about how yesterday afternoon at 5pm .. when everyone at the Pre-School party had mingled away home and she and her 3 lovelies and a handful of others were just about to leave her 1 year old suddenly started fitting.  Just the word fitting and already (even though I can see him clearly looking very happy in his pushchair my eyes are welling up) - her 2 older (3 & 4 year olds) were on the bouncy castle oblivious, another parent called an ambulance and the Pre-School Manger Jayne - quickly took control of the situation and held the boy in the recovery position until the fit subsided.  

It's any parents worse nightmare.  I can't even begin to imagine how she was feeling whilst this was happening. Shock, fear, anger? I'd have been a wreak.  She continued to explain how pleased she was she had still been at Pre-School - how would she have been at home with 2 older children alone if this had happened.  This mummy is, as is her husband in the healthcare profession, they deal with this kinda thing - possibly worse on a daily basis.  Initially my thought was - well Jayne is the Manager that's one of the areas she's trained in.  Then it hit me. That's what I used to do.  I used to run a Day Nursery - I've been on umpteen First Aid Courses - but since becoming a parent 5 years ago I've NEVER refreshed my training.  How can that be!?!? I have 3 small people - and we all know in any situation with our OWN children we panic far more than those of any friends or strangers.  

It transpires the little boy had a febrile convulsion brought on by a case of tonsilitis.  He is now on a course of antibiotics and as with the case of anything regarding our children will be feeling much better - unlike mummy.  Children have this amazing hold over us.  I know it will take a few days for her to recover from the shock and fear.  

I was relaying the story to Daddy Moo earlier and ironically he also used to have a job that required him to be first aid trained - which he too has let lapse. I am definitely going to look out for some training for parents.  If you know of any local to me then please do leave a comment. 

What is a febrile convulsion?

"Febrile seizures are a relatively common childhood condition, referring to a child having a seizure (fit) when they have a high temperature of 38ºCF (100.4ºF) or above. This is usually the result of an infection. Frightening but harmless .. to read the rest of this article check out the NHS Choices website."