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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Sick Days

Mothers do not get sick days.

I realized this many months ago when my little one got his first illness and I of course caught it too. He was sick, I was more sick, and it was a struggle to get through those few days when all I wanted to do was take a long, long, loooong bath and curl up in bed for several hours of sleep. I had only been a mother for two months at that time, but I learned an important lesson about being sick in this new context of my life: there are no sick days.

Today the munchkin and I are both sick again, and I do not have any words of wisdom about how to cope with a coughing, snotty, sleepless infant when you yourself have the body aches, sinus headache, chills and congestion. There is no easy answer. I wish there was someone who could step in just for a few hours so I could get the rest I need, but that is not the reality of this moment. Today is one of those inevitable days in mothering when I have to grin and bear it.

But it is not all gloomy, and I will take a break from my pity party for a minute to appreciate the beauty of today. For a few brief moments this morning the munchkin and I shared a deep belly laugh as we played with the cat, when we both woke up bright and early we laid in bed together for a few extras minutes snuggling, and before he left for work my hubby gave me some much needed support and sympathy.

Mothering as a full-time job comes with a completely different set of benefits then all my prior jobs. There are no sick days, no lunch breaks, no holidays and I am beginning to have a sneaking suspicion there are no vacation days either. Instead I am paid in smiles, giggles, arms outstretched to be held, the joy of the word mama, and the trusting clasp of a baby hand. Quite a different currency, but when I really think about it, it is enough to get me through these long days of feeling ill and tired.


I would love to hear from you! How do you handle sick days with a little baby?

(This blog is part of the mom's 30 minute blog challenge hosted by Steadymom)

3 comments:

  1. Oh, sick days are something I didn't consider when dreaming of the sweet baby days ahead. LOL.
    I'm expecting baby #3 (with fatigue and nausea) but have a 2 and 3 year old running around.

    Take it easy, do bare minimum and heap loads of grace on yourself :)

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  2. Hey Darlin'! Wish I lived closer - I'd give you that few hours break! But, since I don't, sleep when he sleeps...even if it's not much. Lay on the floor - or couch - while he's playing - don't hesitate to gate him in to a smaller playing area so you don't have to constantly chase him around. Remember it's a short season so don't EVER feel bad that things don't go according to your normal routine. Sending you hugs and love! Hang in there!

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  3. Jenn, I think the grace part is the most difficult as a mom. It is not very supermom to not get things done, or not cook dinner or have a messy house. Being ok with imperfection is something I still need to work on.

    Chris, I wish we did live closer together! I did spend some time laying on the floor while the baby played and that helped. It felt weird, but it helped:o)

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