No offense to all the dads out there (especially to the superdads who are in a league all their own), but let’s face it, when moms get sick, the effect it has on a household is typically more noticeable than when a father is out of commission.
With the swine flu scare reaching epic proportions I, along with the loyal group of playgroup moms I hang out with, couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if we were suddenly hit with fever, chills, aches and pains AND had still had to take care of kids and maintain a house.
Granted, most parents have partners to help pitch in when the other is down for the count, but what if your spouse was laid up at the exact same time you got bit by the flu bug, or you’re a single parent without a fully functional partner to rely on?
In most cases the aforementioned scenario would require asking for outside help. Time to call in the reserves. Grandparents, friends and other caregivers are usually more than willing to lend a hand. If your regular support system is not available, then consider requesting help from a trusted parent from your child’s school or day care facility. Just remember to reciprocate the favor when you are feeling better.
When my daughter was almost 2 years old I got violently ill. I was throwing up left and right, and frankly was too ill to call for backups, so I just sucked it up… or down… as the case proved. I’ll never forget having to change putrid poopy diapers while trying to choke down the stomach acids that desperately wanted to be exhumed from the depths of my digestive tract. Fortunately, my illness passed quickly, and my daughter was none the wiser. I somehow managed to make the ordeal relatively fun… for her. She was able to put her doctor’s kit to good use tending to a real patient, and then she made me a “Get Well” card from a stack of construction paper and a box of crayons. We also took a nap together, which turned out to be the highlight of the day.
Another suggestions from the playgroup moms: Take the drugs. There is no such thing as supermom, so while you might resist over-the-counter medications on other occasions, you might seriously reconsider when there’s no other alternative and your child is relying on you to tend to their basic needs.
What do you do when you are bit by the flu bug, and are begging to be put out of your misery?
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