Bonds of Love: A Mother’s Story of Her Child’s Hornet Sting and Instant Parent Instinct

Bonds of Love: A Mother’s Story of Hornets, Panic and Pure Parenting Instinct

By: Karen – 28 October 2016

Sometimes the strongest parent–child bonds are forged in the most unexpected (and downright terrifying) moments. If you’re an aspiring mummy blogger, this story is for you — and we’d love to feature your own parenting moment, too!

A Sting That Sparked a Moment of Pure Motherhood

I’ve never been stung by a hornet, but from the screaming, panic and shirt-ripping I witnessed, I’m confident it hurts like hell.

My six-year-old son Sam was playing outside with his friend Arthur, getting ready for a bike ride with Arthur’s mum. I was at my computer working when I heard a blood-curdling scream — the kind that makes your heart drop before your brain even catches up.

I ran to the window just in time to see Arthur’s mum tearing off her shirt and sprinting down the road. Then I heard it — Sam’s scream. A sound only a terrified, hurting child can make.

I bolted downstairs.

The Attack

The kids had accidentally played near a huge hornet nest, and the hornets were not impressed.

Sam had been stung right on the bottom—yes, the hornet got inside his pants and delivered its venom to his soft little bum. He also had a sting on his hand. Arthur's mum had taken two stings under her arm. The insects left swollen, angry red welts that looked nothing like the mild bee sting Sam once got in the Malaysian jungle — tea tree oil and hugs fixed that one.

This was a “Number 10 out of 10” sting.
And it showed.

A kind jogger helped herd the kids away as the nest erupted with furious hornets ready to attack again.

Instinct Takes Over

I grabbed Sam and rushed him upstairs. His bottom was bright red and swelling fast. Tea tree oil did nothing. Ice did a little. But what worked best was:

  • chocolate
  • pizza
  • cuddles
  • soft words
  • me staying absolutely calm (somehow)

While my friend called the doctor, Sam slowly stopped screaming. The swelling kept growing, but he clung to me — trusting me — and that was everything.

Eventually, the doctor gave him the proper antihistamines. But what made the biggest difference wasn’t the medication.

It was the bond of love, comfort and safety that only a mum can offer in moments like this.

In the End

Hornet stings heal.
The memory of your child looking at you — knowing you are their safe place — does not.

It’s moments like these that remind us just how powerful a parent’s love really is.

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