The Ugly.

Ah, the glamorous days of motherhood.

No, not being pooped or peed on.

Not being vomited on or have snot wiped on you.

Those even uglier days.

The days of rectal prolapse and laxatives.

Explaining to your mother, your friends, and your blog readers, what exactly that means.

*I am not explaining it here, beware if you google it.*

Days when you feel like your child's constipation issues are all your fault.

The days when your pediatrician asks you, "why are you crying?" and you say, "because this isn't right." She then tells you, "life isn't perfect," and I realize that I wish it was.

If only you would prepare meals higher in fiber.

If only the kids would eat them.

I love trying to disguise the awful smelling medication in their foods and drink.

Only to have them refuse it completely.

Oh it's a viscious cycle all right.

Now we get to wait around the house and make sure she poops twice a day with the consistency of a thick milkshake.

I get to judge daily if 3tsp of laxative is too much, too little, or just right.

I feel like Goldilocks.

Oh yes. I love these glamorous days.

57 supporters in group:

  1. Aracely said...

    I thought you said NO POOPY POSTS!!... well I guess this is about NO poopy ;-)

    Hope her poopy gets back to normal soon!

  2. A Christian Mom said...

    Hugs to you both! My oldest brother had to deal with this with his girls. I remember how awful it was for all of them. Praying this get better!

  3. Lindsay said...

    ooo I feel for you! I am sorry you and the kiddos have to go through this! I hope it gets better soon!

  4. Anonymous said...

    Sincere sympathy.

    Does this child walk yet?

    If so - walking helps. Instead of 'waiting' around the house - walk around the block - a few times. Don't go far - to stay near the toilet. But little ventures - two houses down and back - over and over again. 30 minutes of this, then rest an hour, then 30 minutes more.

    Got a dog? take the dog.

    Good for you, too.

    Wishing you quick results. Barbara

  5. Funky Food Trisha said...

    That totally sucks. But many moms have similar problems. Hang in there. And get ready for the all the advice to come. Starting with mine!

    Sprinkle Fiber--add it to anything that will hold still, tasteless, no texture and natural. It goes in everything at our house. You can find it at Whole Foods.

    http://www.fiberdiet35.com/SprinkleFiber.html

  6. lmt1073 said...

    you poor thing... laxatives and children when put together do not spell fun!

  7. jill jill bo bill said...

    Oh, baby! I am so sorry you have to do this. It's not fun for either one of you.
    I always used malt supex for a laxative for my kiddos. It's natural and doesn't cause the big D. Email me if you need anything.

  8. Jen said...

    I was just thinking about this yesterday. My son had constipation issues when he was in 1st grade. I'm pretty sure it was psychological because he's usually been a pretty regular kid. Anyway, we found that the Benefiber got him back on track. It sounds like yours is a more serious issue, but you may want to try it after she gets back to normal again. Good luck and know that you shouldn't feel guilty. Lots of kids go through this.

  9. because I said so said...

    guess who just went to the ER Sunday night for the SAME reason with Big One and guess who else is is living this SAME nightmare at this SAME moment......how scary....how awful......how smelly!

    at least you aren't doing enemas!

  10. WeaselMomma said...

    I hope it gets better soon. *This* is not what we thought we were signing up for with motherhood.

  11. Brittany said...

    Oh I love the new design!

    And sweetie, I can't even imagine! I hope that use of laxatives is short lived in your house, for everyone's sake, poor little thing!

  12. Vicki said...

    Ah Jen, {{{HUGS}}}!!! I realize that my words wont fix anything, but wanted to give you a "hug" because I know as a mom the horrible guilt we put ourselves through when something is wrong with our babies!!!!
    I'm sorry you both are going through this. I hope things will get better real soon!!!!
    Hang in there Mom - you are doing the very best you can!!! :)

  13. Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

    First nice overhaul of the header. But why remove the avatar glam shot? As for regularity, I figure it is like when they eat. when they are hungry they will eat, when they need to practice taking their friends to the pool they shall do that. "just don't use or take too many towels(tp) please."

  14. Sue Wilkey said...

    OOOHHH!!! I love the banner!!

    Here's what we all need to keep in mind about "The Ugly":

    "The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short" :)

  15. The Panic Room said...

    We are going thru the exact same thing right now with LB. We just started using Miralax and other helpers in food and drink and Fiber upping. Our Pediatrician was like... you need this too be like Applesauce. And I am thinking Oh that sounds really fun to have to clean up as opposed to the usual bricks he was throwing. So yeah. same boat we just left shore we are hoping for smooth sailing to two a days. we did hear about this great stuff called Calm that is supposed to be awesome. Will try that next if this doesn't work.

    GOOD LUCK!!!

  16. Unknown said...

    Send her over! The rotavirus will help.

    Doesn't it suck when the kids are sick!

    Call me, we'll play Thelma & Louise. And blog all about it.

    Love the new header. :)

  17. Tenakim said...

    wow- I love the new look- so classy! Sorry about the little one's bowels- good news- I'm not craving that milkshake anymore.

  18. Kim said...

    Oh Mama...no one tells us how hard it is going to be do they?
    Here's to some nice thick milkshake poop in your land.
    Big hugs across the internet.

  19. amelia bedelia said...

    gosh, poor thing. We have had issues here, too, I know its not fun.

  20. Elaine at Matters of the Heart) said...

    Oh, I have been right there with you. We battle this with my oldest. I feel for you. Email me if you want some support. I completely understand.

  21. April said...

    I'm so sorry....my sister is going through some of this with my eight year old nephew...it's so not fun! I'll be sending up prayers for y'all.

  22. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

    Are we on the same boat? Because, seriously? 2 times a day? My 2 year old might go 1 time in three days and it's torture. I think she's holding it, but still, it is so hard.

    And, she won't eat prunes, or prune juice. We are trying out "Plum Start" juice with extra fiber, but it's like she knows. We've even tried over the counter miralax.

    When you figure out that happy place, please let me know!

  23. Michelle said...

    My sister went through this with her daughter, I'm not sure what it was that finally made it better. Hang in there. :)

    SO, you, the great giver of advice, I have a question for ya! it's on my blog ( for keeps) warning the post is LONG...but I figured you were "cheaper than therapy" :)

    Maybe if you get time, you could help a sister out? :)

  24. Khadra said...

    oh no, how awful for you both. Motherhood really is so very far from glamorous isnt it. I like your new look here though!

  25. Anonymous said...

    First, love the classy new header.

    Second, It's horrible! Our youngest, the one with eczema, has this problem two. I'm lucky if he goes once every 7 days. It's been an ongoing problem that started as soon as he had his first bite of solid food and nothing works, not even dyamite. Don't ask. Good luck and if you find the answer, please share.

  26. CJ said...

    Have you tested for Celiac Disease?? We went through the same thing with my daughter and it turned out she's allergic to gluten. Good luck, hope things get better!!

  27. Unknown said...

    Ugh.
    So sorry.
    That STINKS!

  28. Michelle said...

    I asked my sister, looks like you are already doing what she did.. she said it just eventually kicked in and things returned to normal. I hope that things get back to normal for you and your kiddos soon too!

  29. Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...

    The new look threw me off, thought I came to the wrong blog for a minute. Like the new layout.

    I had to go through this with both kids when they were little but ended up giving them both a glycerin suppository. Poor little girl, Hope you both can find some relief soon.

  30. Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...

    What about putting some benefiber in her food or milk daily. My girlfriend does that for her son that has had poop issues and it seemed to help him have looser and more regular movements.

  31. Anonymous said...

    Been there! My oldest started being constipated when he was only 5 months old. Actually, it probably started at birth, because is didn't, um...expel the nasty, tarry stuff, until he was, get this........7 days old. No pooping for the first 7 days of his life. Normal after that until he started on baby food. He is now 10 and I still have to ask him about his....movements. We use Miralax regularly. I hope it gets better soon!

  32. Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

    That ranks up there with having to comb through poop to see if the penny they swallowed came out. Motherhood sucks.

  33. A Crafty Mom said...

    Oh, Jen, not fun. I'm so sorry. I have been vomited on in the past few weeks, so I know that is no fun either. Yes, this mom stuff is rough on us some days.

    (((HUGS)))

  34. Merrie said...

    You're bringing back memories of our nightmare with Noelle when she was an infant. Days and days...pear juice...worrying...and then finally the unbelievable MESS. I feel your pain -- I truly do.

  35. Leanna said...

    Ugh!! Yes, I have the same worries for my baby. And we are up to 3 tsp of lactulose a day. If we miss....we pay! I hope everythings back to 'regular' working order.

  36. Julia@SometimesLucid said...

    You are not a bad mommy. My eldest gets constipated at time and I feed them all sorts of fruits and vegetables which they love. My good friend's daughter ONLY eats white pasta, spagetti sauce, and chicken nuggets and POOPS like a champ?!?!?!

  37. Aria said...

    Oh, hon, hope it's oh-so-much-better soon. Poor girl, and poor Mama; don't beat yourself up too much, this is one of those things life hands you so you have blog material (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

    And I love the new layout and button (I updated my button marquee) Yay You! Hope it was more fun than headache; cause reworking can go either way...

  38. Sass said...

    I'm sending you a hug, my friend.

    You're an amazing mommy, and it shows.

  39. Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

    Aw, that's truly horrible. (And yes, I've finally shut my mouth after googling that term.)

    E-hugs to you & the poor girl. ;-)

  40. Colette S said...

    Here's to hoping things get better soon with your baby. *hugs*

  41. Unknown said...

    They really didn't tell us about this stuff before we had kids, did they? Yeah.... no....

    Hope you can find a solution. I've sorta been there myself and I know it's NOT fun! Hugs!

  42. Evolving Mommy Catherine said...

    Bummer. Poop issues are no fun, but if you can't talk about poop issues on your blog where can you talk about it?

    I hope things get better for you and the little one.

  43. jo@blog-diggidy said...

    aaaawwww..that sounds horrid. i am so sorry this is an issue for you!! hope and pray things are better soon!! the blog looks great btw, love the new look!! ;)

  44. Mariah said...

    Oh goodness, laxatives and poop, don't get me started. Let me just say one thing, the Dr. threatened to put a colostomy bag on my son when he was 2 b/c of the constipation. I feel your pain.

  45. wife.mom.nurse said...

    We got the uglies around here too!
    Princess suffers from the same problem.

    I love it when the MD tells me to "judge" how much laxative to give my kid.

    I am a nurse and the last time I tried to wean Princess off of the Miralax we ended up in the Emergency Room.

    Fiber tabs
    Mineral oil
    Miralax
    Trying to get dietary fiber in the child
    Pushing fluids
    Heading the urge...

    I am so sorry you are going through this too! Rectal Prolapse... don't have to look it up. Oh my goodness, poor little thing!!!

  46. Jenny said...

    My daughter had the same problems. It was terrible! We had to do so many suppositories and it was awful.

    Hang in there, it will get better.

  47. Anonymous said...

    Things that suck, oh yes. I am right there with ya sister--on the prolapse. Good times..........

  48. Jenni said...

    Oh nooooooo, Jen. Poor thing...

  49. Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

    Been there. It's not glamorous, that's for sure.

    We used Lactulose with our son, but his constipation was due to chemo. It might work?

  50. Abby said...

    Oh yuck. That doesn't sound like fun. If it makes you feel any better, I got pooped on tonight-a lot! And it's not little baby poop, it is 18 month old realy person poop. But from the sounds of it you would probably be happy for poop, just no on you.

  51. The Mathews Family said...

    I heart your blog. I am now following you...you are inspiring.

  52. Unknown said...

    Things like that make me want to put off having kids a lot longer!

  53. MaricrisG said...

    I'm in that Poopsy stage and it's not just ugly. It's stinky. Such Glamorous life we live as moms.

  54. Dennis and Leslie said...

    Ahem, this is mean nurse Leslie speaking:

    Just suck it up and do it!!! If I see you in my ER for constipation, I'm sooooo making fun of you!!!

    And I'm going to tweet about it too! Love ya ;)

    p.s. It's so not your fault....sh!t happens....or not sometimes ;)

  55. Ann Harrison said...

    Talk about PRESSURE!
    Geez.
    I think you're living this life so you will go on to write an incredible book about motherhood. Then you will go on Oprah. She will love you so much that she will give you your own show.
    Yup.
    That's whats going on :->
    (((hug)))

  56. Amy W said...

    I've cried at the doctor's office so many times... And at teacher's conferences.... And at swim lessons.... I think I may have even cried at a McDonald's once. :) Wanting the best for our children and being disappointed that things aren't "perfect" is (sadly, in some ways) a natural state for the American Mom.

    I she passes what she needs to at the right consistency and the right amounts soon. And that she (and you) are feeling better soon. *hugs*

  57. Heather of the EO said...

    If it makes you feel any better, my oldest is over three and a half and has pooped on the toilet a total of three times in his life. Other than that, he's constipated and pooping in his unders. Yup, I'm pretty much not getting the "succeeded in potty training" medal this year at the Mother of the Year banquet. And I have no CLUE what to do about it. Besides clean poo out of underwear. I'm sorry you're struggling. It's lame. But this too will pass. ha...pun intended...

    sorry, I have to make jokes, it's how I survive. Really terrible jokes. Hang in there. It's NOT your fault.

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