For some reason, many of us not only try to avoid admitting when we are getting sick or have come down with an illness, but to actually feel guilty when we do. As if it is shows some weakness or is some failing on our part. While it may not feel like there is room for illness in a single parent’s life, illness can be our body’s way of telling us to slow down and take care of ourselves or it can be an opportunity for us to learn how to let go of the guilt and feelings of weakness.
I admit that I am not someone who generally welcomes illness, but I have gotten better at it over the years. When my children were small and I was first a single parent, I felt like I could not let up for a moment and when I did get sick, I definitely felt weak and guilty–as if I was letting everyone down if I couldn’t carry on at the typical pace. Of course, this did not do anyone any good, least of all me.
It finally hit me that I was not setting a very good example for my kids–I was not showing them how they could take care of themselves or how a person could value herself enough to take care of herself when she got sick. It was this realization that started me on the road to letting go of the guilt and starting to view illness differently.
Whether it is a common cold or something more serious, blaming ourselves and feeling guilty when we get sick is unproductive and not a very good boost for our self-esteem either. Even if our lives our busy and we have heavy obligations, we are still entitled to self-care and good health and that may mean taking it easy and allowing ourselves to not only be sick, but to recuperate as well.
Also: Are Single Parents More Susceptible to Illness?