How to Help Your Mom Breathe Easier: A Child’s Guide to Supporting an Asthmatic Mother

Asthma doesn’t just affect the person who has it, the chronic disease impacts the entire family. If your mom has asthma, you might have seen her struggle to breathe, use an inhaler, or avoid certain places and smells. Watching someone you love deal with asthma can be hard, especially when it’s your mom, the person who usually takes care of you.

This Mother’s Day, let’s flip the roles for a moment. Here’s how you, as a child, whether you’re 10 or 30 can help your mom breathe a little easier, both literally and emotionally.

1. Learn About Asthma Together

One of the best ways to help your mom is by understanding what asthma is and how it affects her daily life. Asthma causes inflammation in the airways, making it hard to breathe, especially when exposed to triggers like dust, smoke, strong smells, or cold air.

What you can do:

• Read a simple guide or watch a video on asthma together.
• Ask her about her triggers and what symptoms she feels before an attack.
• Learn how her inhalers or nebulizer work.

Tip: If you’re younger, ask her questions like “What helps you feel better when you’re breathless?” If you’re older, offer to help track symptoms using an asthma app or journal.

2. Keep the House Asthma-Friendly

Your home can be full of asthma triggers without you realizing it, dust, scented candles, incense, or even mold. You can play a big role in helping keep your surroundings safe.

What you can do:

• Help with dusting (especially in her bedroom).
• Remind others not to spray perfumes or room fresheners around her.
• Open windows for ventilation when cleaning or cooking.
• Avoid bringing in strong-smelling gifts like scented lotions or flowers.

Bonus: Offer to be the “clean air champion” in the house, keeping her space fresh and allergen-free.

3. Be Her Scent Detective

Fragrances can be a hidden danger for people with asthma. If your mom reacts to strong smells, you can be her early-warning system.

What you can do:

• Gently warn her if there’s a strong-smelling product being used nearby.
• Ask family members to use unscented products if your mom is sensitive.
• Avoid wearing strong perfume or body spray around her.

Example: “Hey Mom, I noticed the neighbor lit incense again—want me to close the window?”

4. Remind Her to Take Breaks and Medications

Moms are superheroes, but even superheroes need to rest. Sometimes, your mom might get so busy taking care of everyone else that she forgets to take care of herself.

What you can do:

• Help her remember to take her maintenance inhaler if she uses one.
• Check if she has all her medicines or a reminder to order it.
• Encourage her to sit down and rest if she looks tired or short of breath.

Gentle reminder: “Mom, did you take your inhaler today? Want me to set a reminder for tomorrow?”

5. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Asthma attacks can be scary. But being prepared helps you stay calm and actually help her when she needs it the most.

What you can do:

• Know where her rescue inhaler is kept.
• If you’re old enough, learn how to use it or how to help her if she’s panicking.
• Keep emergency numbers handy.
• If you’re younger, run and call another adult or dial for help.

Pro tip: Ask your mom to create an Asthma Action Plan and stick it on the fridge so you know what to do in each situation.

6. Cook or Order Smart (If You Can!)

Certain foods can trigger asthma or acid reflux, which can worsen breathing. If you ever cook for your mom or help decide meals, be mindful of her dietary needs.

What you can do:

• Avoid ingredients that trigger her symptoms (e.g., excessive spices, dairy, fried foods).
• Make or order something mild and nourishing when she’s not feeling well.
• Keep her water bottle filled, hydration helps too!

7. Support Her Emotionally

Living with asthma can feel isolating. Your mom may worry about having an attack in public or feel frustrated when she can’t do everything she wants.

What you can do:

• Tell her it’s okay to slow down, you’ve got her back.
• Be patient when plans change because of her health.
• Offer a big hug or a kind note on hard days.

Say this: “You do so much for me, Mom. I want to take care of you too.”

This Mother’s Day, Show Her She’s Not Alone

Asthma might be a part of your mom’s life, but with your support, she doesn’t have to face it alone. Whether it’s offering a glass of water, keeping the air clean, or just being there with a smile,every little act of care adds up.

So this Mother’s Day, give her the best gift: the comfort of knowing she can breathe easier because you’re looking out for her.

From the Asthma Friend Community:

If your mom lives with asthma, you’re not alone. Please share your experience with everyone in the asthma friend community.