Let’s face it, being sick sucks for everyone, but after you have kids, its totally different! If you are a parent, you know EXACTLY what I mean. (Getting sick when you’re a mom, is a whole different ball game. )
As a regular, non parent, as miserable as you feel when you catch a bug, you can still take a few days off, lay in bed or on the couch all day, watch TV and drink soup and basically do nothing and let your body take the time it needs to heal.
Getting Sick When You’re a Mom
But when you’re a mom, it’s a totally different story. You don’t actually get to rest very much. Maybe after the kids go to bed you can finally focus on trying to rest, if you don’t have to make lunches, clean up the kitchen, catch up on work etc. Sometimes you can even sneak in a few minutes to lie down while the kids are bathing, having a snack or if you put a tv show on for them. Personally, I think that’s why it takes so long for mom’s to actually get better when they are sick because they don’t get to take the time they need to recover fully.
I’ll give you a perfect example. I have been sick for the last few days. I wasn’t feeling too hot on Thursday, but I had promised to make rice krispie squares for my daughter’s preschool graduation the next day. So the night before, that’s what I was doing. Then in the morning, we all had to be out nice and early to get to the grad on time.
After a wonderful ceremony, I was feeling completely rundown. Since my hubby had to go to work, he dropped the older one off at school. When we got home, I persuaded my little one to lie down with me to take a much needed nap. I got about 20 minutes (which is actually a lot for her) before she said, I can’t nap and wanted me to read to her. So I meekly read her one story before getting her to grab a bunch of books to look through herself. That bought me another 15 minutes to rest. After that, I put on a show for her, that got me another 22 minutes before she was hungry. So then I actually had to get up and drag myself down to get her some lunch and try and figure out if there was anyone else I could ask to pick up my son from school. It was too last minute and there wasn’t.
You get the idea. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Even though I did get some time to sleep once the hubby got home and took over, it’s not the same. I know, it’s part of the gig of being a mom but during those times when I get sick, I can’t help but longingly remember the days when I could actually BE sick when I was sick. Ah the perils of getting sick when you’re a mom. I guess that’s more motivation to stay as healthy as possible.
End of rant.
Tell me you get it?
If getting sick when you’re a mom resonates with you, these might too:
Now I understand why my mom wouldn’t go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.
Time to stop apologizing for a messy house?
I don’t miss those days, and I only had one child. I remember one occasion when I had the flu, my husband was working (he never got sick!) and we watched Disney’s Aladdin so much I practically had it memorized. And I was the type never to park my son in front of the TV.
I get it!! It’s a tough one. And I think harder when you don’t have a support system immediately close by like grandparents or family members you can call on to help. I am sick at the moment and keep calling my mum back in Kenya to come watch zuri for me so I can sleep lol. Obviously not happening so suck it up and carry on!!
So it’s even harder for you because your mom is in another country!
Oh my goodness, I totally get it. Yesterday I had the worst migraine and the hubby was working….I couldn’t get all the rest and recovery I needed and would’ve gotten pre-kids. It can be so hard and frustrating.
Yes, I totally get it! It’s not even just being sick, but sometimes I want to just…oh, what’s the word…RELAX. Do nothing. My gosh, when did that last happen? Hope you feel better soon!
Ugh totally know how you feel. I’m lucky that i fall sick when we have help at home..lol feel better soon
Totally feel your pain. The funny thing is even if you find 10 minutes to rest, the mama feelings won’t let you rest. Feel better!
The worst part for me is, I get sick the worst out of everyone in the family. Sure they all have sniffles or congestion or a fever for a couple days. When it’s my turn to be sick, I’m bed-ridden! i make sure the kids take a bath and order dinner from grub hub. And that’s all the mom duties I can muster.
Totally get it and also what my mom used to feel when I would throw tantrums even when she was sick! 🙁
It is just so hard for us to let go of things too and give some rest to ourselves.
Hope you feel better soon!
Richa | Fancier’s World
It really is Richa!
Omygosh I totally get it. Moms need rest to but it’s not easy – someone always needs us.