Did you know that Moms get sick? Maybe this is news to you! Maybe every time you start to feel the tingling in your throat, the aching in your head, or the snot dripping down your nose you just tell yourself again about those pesky seasonal allergies. While there is certainly a time and place for grinning and bearing it, sometimes Moms need to stay in bed, rest, and recuperate the same as everyone else in the house!
Yes, but HOW? My house will simply fall into disrepair if I give in to the sickness! Hey, I get it! The jobs aren't going to get done the same. However, it is your job as much as all the other jobs to teach these small humans how important self-care is when you're under the weather. (Remember, the oxygen mask in a plane is supposed to go on you first.)
First thing to note is that being sick with kids is just not the same as being sick before you had children. It's just not. BUT, you do still need to care for yourself.
Next, don't forget that most of the time you're sick, the kids are sick, too. You obviously need to care for them, but you must also think about your own needs so that you can get better, too. Too many moms run themselves into the ground trying to maintain the same momentum they have when they aren't sick and they don't recover well.
Instead, let “things” go while you ride this bump in the road. Maybe a mattress on the floor in the living room with lots of great movies and a chance for everyone to get some rest. Remember, the house will get clean eventually. Your priority needs to be on rest, fluids and good food. If messes bother you too much, you can just maintain the space where you are recuperating but don't worry about the rest of the house right now.
Lastly, accept help. Accept help. ACCEPT HELP. And ask for it. You can bless someone else with help another time or season. We aren't meant to live our lives in a bubble doing everything ourselves. Sometimes sickness is just what the doctor ordered to remind us that we need each other.
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