Breathe. just breathe.

Some of you who know me know that I have exercise-induced asthma, as well as what I call emotionally-induced asthma -- when I get really upset I have trouble breathing.  My asthma was worse in Montana -- for me, the dry air was MUCH worse on my lungs than the humid Tennessee air (for some people it's the opposite!)  So usually I don't have many problems anymore.

Last week late at night I was getting frustrated with Jake.  He has SO much energy and never wants to go to bed.  He also gets TONS of toys out then acts helpless about putting them away -- and he is GOOD at putting things away, exactly where they go.  It's an ACT (don't you love being manipulated?!)  Anyway, I was SO MAD at him for the way he was acting, I told him to just lay on the couch and I put his toys away myself (I couldn't deal with the fight of MAKING him do it, because I was too close to that point where you just snap.)  Jake of course started whining and crying, wanting me to sit with him and hold him instead of picking up the toys and making him sit alone.  But it's a hazard to leave all the toys out -- and I just always think "damn, if there's a fire and the firemen come rushing in here, they're going to trip on all this crap" -- not to mention us tripping on it as WE try to run out, or Lou just walking downstairs and not thinking to be careful about where he steps . . . it's just not a good idea to leave toys scattered everywhere.

Anyway, after I got all the toys picked up, I sat down on the couch and realized I couldn't breathe.  I felt like I was having an asthma attack -- and even when I took a breath in, I felt like I wasn't actually getting any oxygen. 

Then I realized that the entire time I was picking up toys, I was hardly breathing.  I was SO focused on not yelling at Jake and not having an outburst, I literally forgot to breathe.

Occupational hazards of being a mother, eh?

Comments

[Priscilla]

I think only your child could actually make you forget to breathe.
Sorry you had a rough night!
*hugs*
Priscilla

[Sue]

Oh girl, you had me really worried then! Lots of deep breaths are better than no breaths at all lol. I have the same struggle with getting R to put away the toys....glad you're okay.

[Melissa S]

I'm a lurker, but I read all the time and feel like I know you a little. (and you edited an xmas photo for me last year! ) I'm sorry about the asthma stuff...I have exercise induced asthma, but have never had it come on from stress/emotions...hope you're feeling better.
Melissa
chanzella.blogsome.com

[Kelly]

How scary. That is a horrible feeling and so scary. Glad you are okay, you had me worried too.

Love you

Kelly

[Sandi P.]

Goodness, Jen...glad you're ok!

[Andrea]

Oh Hon, sorry to read about that. I, too, am glad you're okay! I remember how hard of a time you had with that in MT. Not fun.