Sick Mama

I've been battling a virus for the past few days, and it's just horrible. Being sick when you have a toddler to take care of is a nightmare. If I were a single mother, I have no clue how I would handle illness and a young child. At least the husband tries to keep the wheels turning (cooking, bathing the Schmoop, playing with him, etc.) Of course, the one thing the husband cannot do is start lactating and take over bedtime nursing. It's my job, and I can't take a sick day or the boss will start shrieking. No joke. Two-year-olds have no empathy. Mama being sick doesn't register. Oh, there have been times when he's cried at the sight of Hans laid out on the chiropractor's table or me face down on the bed, but in general, he isn't all that aware if we're ill. I don't know how SAHMs or single mothers manage. I'm home today while the Schmoop is at his Montessori School. There's no way I could rest with him home, and there's no way I could entertain him in any way. Last night I tried to take him around the apartment building on his new Radio Flyer trike, and I came back exhausted. Sickness and motherhood (especially attachment parenting) just don't go hand-in-hand.

Comments

[Keely]

Can I just tell you how hard it is to be sick, preggo and a SAHM? Yeah, it's a handful. I've found that sometimes I simply can't get sick. I might feel awful, but I can't afford to act it because I have to care for Adia.

It's exhausting certainly and toddlers definitely don't understand. I think it's probably one of the hardest aspects of being a SAHM.

And right about now (only days from baby #2) I can only imagine what it will be like with two kids at home...oy vey!

Hope you feel better soon!

[ann]

Hope you feel better soon. Being sick with a toddler sounds very challenging.

[Linda]

Sandie - so sorry you are feeling sick. I hope you get better soon!

I think the main difference between sick/SAHM and sick/WOHM is that you have to get back to work, so it's imperative that you get well as fast as you can (so you have to send the babes to day care). I can sort of let a cold drag out for days, and just have A watch TV while I rest. Neither situation is good, but I guess we get by.

[Sandie]

I do feel better, although I am still congested. Now the Schmoop is congest and coughing :-( I agree, Linda. I stayed home Wednesday (but also worked from home for about three hours), went to work Thursday and felt miserable, so stayed home Friday (worked for about three hours again). I'm praying I don't get sick again for several months.

Keely -- You are SO close to being a mama of two. I'm praying for little R to come soon ;-)