About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
Recently, I hosted a party for 25 children for my daughter’s 8th birthday. I wasn’t worried about the number of children because I wasn’t hosting it at my house. But I did start to worry as all the children filed in.
First, I spoke to the parent of a child who is really allergic to peanuts and got a lesson in how to use an Epipen. “And then what do I do?” I asked, after the parent showed me how its used. “You call 911.”
"Okay," I said. “Can you leave your number?”
Then there was the child who had diabetes, asking what time the cake would be served. I know all about blood sugar levels, because my brother is diabetic, but the mother left and I wasn’t sure if the child should be eating cake when the rest of the kids did, if at all. That mother didn’t leave her phone number, I realized after.
And then there was the child who came up to me, mid-party, to ask for her inhaler, because she was feeling a little out of breath. That child had come with a nanny. “Where is your puffer?” I asked the little girl. “It’s with my nanny,” she said. I looked around for the nanny, who had already taken off, and by then the girl seemed fine — but I was in panic mode.
I even got freaked out when a child walked in teary and said, “my tooth is about to fall out.” I really didn’t quite understand why she was upset, considering all I have to go on is my daughter, whose teeth get so wiggly, I just yank them out and there are no tears. An hour into the party, as I watched the diabetic, the child allergic to peanuts and the one with asthma, the little girl with the wiggly tooth came up to me, teary again, and said: "My tooth fell out!” I screamed with joy to show her that was a good thing, carefully wrapped it up and told her I’d hold onto it for her. Because I was so happy, she became happy, and all was well.
I’m happy to say that no one got hurt or sick and that I didn’t have to call 911 during my daughter’s birthday party. But it really made me think. I realize that the stress now, when it comes to birthday parties, is not around who is coming and who didn’t RSVP, or even if you have enough loot bags, it’s really about keeping other children alive and healthy on your watch. Birthday parties at this age are all about the drop off. Parents can’t wait to get that two hours to themselves or get chores done. They leave so fast, that most, if not all, don’t even leave phone numbers.
But now I feel like all mothers should be mandated to take a course in Epipens and inhalers and blood sugar levels. I was thrilled that everyone seemed to have a great time, but, I swear, by her next birthday party, I’m going to have taken a first aid course. I can’t take the stress.
Either that or I’m going to have a doctor on call.