7 Gastro Truths That Only Large Families Would Truly Understand
You know how difficult it can be to deal with a gastrointestinal outbreak at home. Imagine that six times. Recently, the gastro bug infected my household — six children and two adults. Our youngest children had just begun school and were exchanging germs amongst their classmates. Within days, we became the epicenter of a full-blown epidemic.
It all started innocently. One of my twins complained of a sore throat and refused to eat any of his favourite foods. Isn’t that a telltale sign? You know that something terrible is about to happen when even your pickiest eater refuses pizza. It did indeed lurk — nausea, diarrhoea, and cranky children, as well as sleepless nights and an endless cycle in laundry and cleaning.
I thought about the many large families who are also fighting invisible enemies. Gastro is bad in any home, but it becomes even worse when six children are living together. Handwashing is a hit-and-miss affair, and the constant question of “Who’s Next?” keeps us all on our toes.
I discovered that only large families could truly appreciate the truths of gastro. From one tired mum to all the other parents who are in the trenches, here they are.
1. Vomiting Can Be a Dramatic Event
Vomiting is not a private matter in a home with many children. It is a thing. One moment, everyone’s watching TV, or playing, and the– bam – there’s vomit all over the place. You’ll find that little children are not always able to recognize the feeling before vomiting. The first time you vomit, it is always a surprise. It’s usually on the couch or carpet. Why?
When the child starts to spit, the whole house erupts in noise — squeals and gasps and, inevitably, a chorus of “Gross!” The kids are unable to help but respond loudly. It’s as if a volcano erupted suddenly in your living room. The child may make it to the toilet or bucket if they’re lucky. But more often, the scene is like something from a disaster film.
What about the children who don’t have a disease? They watch, partially horrified and partly fascinated. In a large family, everything is shared. Even illness.
2. “Mum, I Wanna See it!”
Right? Wrong. Even if the family situation is gross, there’s a morbid, weird curiosity that takes over.
The other children are jumping behind me as I try to calm the child, hold the bucket, and prevent them from choking. “Mum! “I want to see!” They shout.
It doesn’t matter how many times you explain that it is disgusting or personal, they still seem to be resistant. As if gastro was some sort of strange magic show, the kids wanted front row seats. It’s as if the kids are fascinated by the idea that someone is producing, which makes everyone miserable.
This means that the parent must balance between managing the audience and caring for their sick child. Spoiler alert: The audience wins most of the time, and you’ll have a dozen pairs watching you as you clean up the mess.
3. Quarantine Is a Complete Waste of Time
Big families become expert germ warriors during a gastro outbreak. The sick child is quarantined in their room. Towels and drinks are not to be shared.
I’ve done everything. Closing doors, giving out hand sanitiser in abundance, washing sheets several times a day, and even instituting the “no-touch” rule (which lasted about five minutes, before it was forgotten). Here’s the harsh truth: It’s futile.
The bug is usually spread through the entire family before you even realize that one child has been sick. Gastro is a sneaky bug that can be found on toys, door handles, and unwashed hands.
You can’t stop it, no matter how hard you try. In a large family, you’re in a race against the clock. The virus will take its victims one by one.
4. Waiting with Dread
Every parent in a large family knows that the next step is the wait.
Who is next to be hit? Who is the toddler who’s suddenly quieter than normal? The middle child who refuses to eat? Or the oldest child who is always in the bathroom?
Each symptom is analysed, and panic ensues. Your anxiety is heightened by a pale face, a stomach ache complaint, or a suspiciously high frequency of bathroom visits. You are constantly on edge and waiting for the next wave.
Then there is the nagging suspicion that you could be next. Do you feel a pain in your stomach? You may have felt a bit dizzy. You begin to doubt your body and monitor every little twinge or twitch. You know that the virus is cruel and loves to attack adults after children.
It’s exhausting but part of the deal in a large household during gastro-season.
5. When it Gets Close to Home
The bug will eventually affect everyone, including Mum, Dad, or any other adult living in the home.
I’ll always remember the moment when my husband fell ill. I was both terrified and resigned. After my constant hand-washing and bleach spraying, as well as avoiding sick zones, it was only a question of time.
The stakes are even higher when adults in a large family get sick. Not only are you worried about your health, but how the children will be taken care of if something happens to you. Who will cook the food, clean up the mess, and comfort those who are afraid?
I pictured a week full of cancelled plans, missed jobs, and a home in chaos. Although I am not religious, on my worst days, I found myself praying to God for strength and a speedy recovery.
6. The Eye of the Gastro Storm
Once the sick children return to school and recover, you might finally throw out the sick buckets.
In large families, however, the gastro-storm doesn’t simply pass by — it lurks around the corner, gathering strength for the next round.
You’re about to breathe a big sigh when a child starts grabbing their stomach. It’s like the bug is coming back in a second surge, and catching you by surprise. It’s as if it never le;t, it was just waiting.
The second round can be even more painful, both mentally and physically. You wonder if this endless cycle will end or if you are going to be stuck in the loop for several weeks.
7. Everyone Wants to Be Sick
In a large family, despite the pain, misery, and vomiting, the kids almost wish they would catch the bug.
My second twin kissed the sick brother to ensure he had the “privilege” of being next. When he was sent home with a sick bag, he quickly changed his tune. In a desperate attempt to get picked up earlier, my daughter faked being ill to be sent home.
When you are sick, it’s about the attention. You get to stay at home, watch movies, and avoid school or chores. It’s an opportunity to break away from your usual routine and be fussed over.
Once they are infected, the novelty will quickly fade. In the chaos of a large family, however, “taking turns” can be a real thing.
Laundry Never Ends
You’ll be able to wash your clothes, sheets, and towels all day long.
It’s not enough to have a few towels or sheets for a large family. Multiple beds, multiple clothes changes, and an endless supply of vomit-stained laundry are all part of a large family. Your washing machine is both your best friend and your worst enemy. The dryer runs 24/7.
You will become an expert in stain removal and mastering quick laundry cycles. You will also develop a sixth sense for spotting soiled clothing before it falls to the ground.
What Big Families Can Learn from Gastro Outbreaks
A gastro-epidemic in a large family has a silver lining: It forces everyone to work together, to adapt, and to develop a strong sense of resilience.
When you are completely exhausted, you learn to love, be creative, and have patience when everyone else is. It’s the people who clean up the mess at 3 in the morning or comfort sick siblings who are the real heroes.
The chaos of big families is well-managed, and the gastro season is only one chapter.
Conclusion
Gastro is a bad experience for any family. But when there are many people involved, it turns into a full-blown drama with chaos and unexpected moments of humour.
Remember that you are not alone if you have a large family during the gastro season. It’s not just you who has to deal with the chaos, the mad dashes for the bathroom, or the constant cleaning. Raising a large family is a shared experience.
What if you are on the outside, looking in? Be kind. When the flu strikes, big families need patience, empathy, and a helping hand.
When gastroenteritis occurs, it is not just a viral infection. It’s not just a virus. Only those who have run the race know how crazy it can be.
