A decade ago, founder of GIT Mom Eirene Heidelberger gave birth to her second son, Grey, in December. Two weeks later, he contracted Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common virus that infects many children under the age of two. For most kiddos, a simple cold develops, but in Grey's case, it became more serious. In the middle of a nighttime feeding, Heidelberger realized he couldn't breathe properly, and eventually took her infant to the hospital, where he would stay for eight nights over the holiday period.

Unfortunately during an already stressful time, Heidelberger's parents also expressed their negative opinions on her husband, the way she's raising her children and how she had been a terrible daughter. "Here I was with a newborn in ICU, healing from a C-section, trying to breastfeed, trying to parent my toddler and they decide to make it all about them. It was hands-down the most stressful holiday experience of my life," she shares.

Through the experience -- where her son recovered in full health -- she realized how much she truly values and loves her husband, as well as the importance of self-care. "You have to work as a team with your partner in order to deal with stressful situations. Do not turn against each other! You also have to keep physically strong to keep mentally strong, and you need to recognize that some relationships in your life are not good for you," she said. "Traumatic situations really show you who truly cares and has your best interests at heart."

Image via Eirene Heidelberger