“Mother, I’m experiencing significant discomfort in my stomach.” If this statement fails to evoke a sense of unease, an accelerated heartbeat, or the urge to alleviate stress with medication, then you might not be a parent. The season of stomach flu is upon us, and mother and influencer Emily (@thevondyfam) shared a humorous take on the chaos that ensues when the stomach flu strikes your household. As a parent, watching her TikTok video made me feel both understood and queasy by association.
In the video, Emily captions the chaotic scene with, “No one moves quicker than a parent trying to intercept vomit.” And she couldn’t be more accurate. We’ve all probably instinctively reached out to catch our toddler’s vomit at some point, with results that were less than ideal. Perhaps it was just my husband who did this—once. But that one time was enough. Even now, our son (now 5) never lets my husband forget, reminding him weekly, “Remember when you caught my throw-up in your hands? That was epic!”
The video kicks off with the ominous tune of “The Final Countdown” playing in the background, showing Emily and her husband exchanging horrified glances as the text reads, “When your child complains of a stomach ache during puking season.” In a whirlwind of action, Emily jumps up from the couch, grabs the sick bowl, tosses it to her husband, and covers the couch with towels.
Her husband wields a cleaning product like a weapon, while Emily arms herself with Lysol and paper towels. They engage in a seamless exchange of cleaning supplies as they navigate the mess. With Lysol in hand, Emily sprays the living room, trying to maintain her composure amidst the chaos.
While she relaxes on the couch, her husband watches the sick bowl being used by the toddler off-camera and quickly pushes it forward. Subsequently, Emily swoops in like a superhero, extending the bowl to catch the inevitable. Displaying remarkable agility and strength, she executes a swift roll with the bowl in her arms before discarding it.
The video garnered enthusiastic praise and resonated with many viewers who shared their own “been there” moments. Alongside the support, viewers offered practical advice for handling the dreaded stomach bug.
One viewer suggested placing glow sticks at the bottom of the garbage can before lining it with plastic bags to help the child aim accurately in the dark. Another recommended making the beds with multiple layers of mattress protectors and sheets for easy cleanup.
Furthermore, some viewers advocated for purchasing emesis bags in bulk to strategically place them around the house, sparing the need for constant cleaning and creating a sense of preparedness. Parents shared their own experiences, with one mentioning storing these bags in various locations, including their SUV, humorously attributing it to “stomach PTSD.”
Regardless of the approach taken to combat the challenges of a stomach bug at home, the consensus remains clear—dealing with it is undeniably unpleasant.