If your a parent you know that it’s not an easy job. It’s very fulfilling, enjoyable but it has it’s ups and downs as well. We try to make the best decisions possible for our kids but sometimes we learn as we go. My husband and I learned a big one a few night’s ago. Until what happened I thought my father-in-law was narcotic but now I can totally agree why he would never allow my husband and sister-in-law to have hard candy when they were kids. When he was younger he saw his sister choke on hard candy and it scared him so in turn he wouldn’t allow his kids to have it. As a parent you think it will never happen to you well I was foolish because it can.
Our family enjoyed the day at our local fair, it’s a big deal in our county. There are rides, animals, vendors and so on. On our way out we stopped by one of the vendor tables and loaded up on all the free goodies. One of them being a few hard pieces of individually wrapped candies. (I rarely allow my kids to have hard candy). I unwrapped each piece and handed a piece to all 4 of my children.
All of a sudden my daughter who I was pushing in the stroller started crying and screaming that her peppermint candy was stuck in her throat. Then before I could do anything she started throwing up. So I stood her out of the stroller where she threw up a few more times. Thankfully an employee at the fair helped by bringing us a garbage can where she could continue to throw up instead of the nice carpet, some bottled water and paper towels. Then I looked over at my son who was licking his candy and before I could get over the the other stroller to grab it from him he threw it in his mouth and swallowed it whole! Then he started crying and pointing to his throat and then he too threw up a tiny bit. For the next 15 minutes they both cried and then were completely fine, thank God!
As parents we are not given a handbook, and maybe it was common sense not to give them hard candy but what I do know is that we will not allow our children to have hard candy until they are older. I think what if, what if they choked or couldn’t breathe? I am so thankful that it was mild but what if it wasn’t?
I share this with you because after having 4 children, soon 5 I have been more relaxed. With my 1st child followed all the guidelines for certain foods to be eaten at certain ages. It can happen and it can happen fast. There are so many choking hazards out there: small toys, foods, etc. Here are some great tips and things to avoid for smaller children. If you allow your younger children hard candy, popcorn, grapes, peanuts or smaller items please re-consider because these can be a choking hazard, it’s pretty scary!
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