It's hard when your child gets sick, but there's no worse a time for them to come down with a bug than dead-smack in the middle of the night (which, by the way, is when they usually feel sick). Parents are pretty good at flying autopilot when dealing with awake children after midnight, but when it comes to dispensing meds, it gets a little more involved (read: you actually have to wake up). So, if you've ever had to navigate the dark waters of having a sick child wake you up from your deep slumber, then this is for you.

Source: Shutterstock [1]

You're awoken with the telltale cry, "Moooooommmmmmyyyyyyyy!"

After taking a minute to figure out if it was a dream or not and checking the clock to confirm that it's the time you suspect it is.

Source: NBC [2]

Then you stumble down the hall to see what's up.

Enter the fine art of sleepwalking.

Source: Giphy [3]

Just as you feared: your child is sick.

And because it's the middle of the night, it's a crazy kind of sick — like, it could be the hottest fever you've ever felt. Meds are needed stat.

Source: Paramount Pictures [4]

So you say, "OK, mommy's gonna be right back."

Just as soon as I figure out what, where, and how much.

Source: WiffleGif [5]

Now it's unavoidable — you must turn on the lights.

My eyes! Why is it always so bright!?

Source: Disney [6]

When your retinas adjust, you start searching for the meds.

As you say to yourself: tomorrow! Tomorrow is the day I am going to get organized.

Source: WiffleGif [7]

Once you find something suitable, you then have to figure out how much to give.

Enter the realization that you have no idea how much your child weighs anymore! And also that nothing is more frustrating than figuring out the teaspoon-to-milliliter ratio at 3 a.m.

Source: Mean Girls [8]

And just as you get that part figured out . . .

. . . you realize you have no way to actually measure it. Why do those little plastic cups seem to be everywhere, except when you actually need to use them?

Source: NBC [9]

After finding an old medicine dropper, you head back to your child triumphantly.

Who is now wide awake, seems way less sick, and is definitely not feeling what you're about to dish out.

Source: ABC [10]

So you lie — not your proudest parenting moment, but you'll do anything to get back to sleep.

It doesn't taste bad at all! Wink, wink.

Source: Warner Bros [11]

And then you're reminded why lying never works.

Because it does taste bad. Like really, really bad — especially to someone who only likes the taste of red fruit snacks and pink birthday cake.

Source: Warner Bros. [12]

That's about when the self-pity sets in.

Why me? And why always at 3 a.m.? I am so not having any more kids.

Source: Giphy [13]

So you beg and plead her to give it another try, which she does (with a little bribery).

Please do not spit it out. Hey, I know! I'll buy you anything you want tomorrow. Deal?

Source: WiffleGif [14]

And then victory is yours!

She took it! Yes!

Source: Universal [15]

After some cuddling and obligatory back rubbing, you finally head back to bed.

Sleep. Glorious sleep.

Source: Disney [16]

And slowly drift back to sleep, which is about when the monitor lights up again.

"Mommy! Daddy! I just threw up!" Sh*t.

Source: ABC [17]