Writing, walking the dog, and cleaning up after our teenagers…almost daily. “Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.” -Ray Bradbury
At 9:30pm on NYE, we received a call that no parent wants to get. Our 16-year-old daughter was at a party with high school friends and began acting strange. Moments later, she was throwing up uncontrollably and had to be taken to the ER. Here’s what happened what we learned. 🧵
We’re thankful for quick-thinking adults, medics, and hospital staff who acted fast to help our daughter. It’s a hard lesson learned for all of us. If you host teens for gatherings, stay vigilant. Check in often. And talk to your kids about choices before it’s too late.
Parenting teens is hard. They push boundaries and make mistakes. But communication, preparation, and vigilance can make all the difference. Hug your kids, talk to them, and don’t be afraid to be the “overprotective” parent when it comes to their safety.
Teens may underestimate the dangers of alcohol, especially in social settings. As parents, it’s important to talk openly about the risks, peer pressure, and consequences of drinking. This could’ve ended much worse.
Four hours later, after being monitored and stabilized, our daughter woke up. She was lucky. It was terrifying to see how quickly things spiraled out of control. We share this not for sympathy but as a warning for parents of teens.
In the ambulance, medics administered IV fluids and a double dose of Zofran. Thankfully, the vomiting stopped before we arrived at the children’s hospital. Her blood alcohol level? 2.5x the legal limit. The cause: Fireball & vodka mini bottles the girls sneaked into the party.
The host’s wife helped her clean up after vomiting and called us when our daughter became unresponsive. Her eyes were rolling back and she began foaming at the mouth. We rushed to the house, carried her to the car, and drove to a nearby firehouse where an ambulance was waiting.
Enjoyed some song & story-telling from author (and drummer for #HootieAndTheBlowfish ) @JimSonefeld while at @hootiefest . Its been a highlight of our trip…along with my wife hearing the band play “Miss California” at last night’s show.
First time doing this, but my mother-in-law just recovered from COVID only to fall & break her hip. Thankfully, no surgery is required, but any thoughts & prayers would be appreciated. #PrayerRequest#Prayers#writersoftwitter#writingcommmunity