Tag Archives: sick

What to Do with Others when One Child Gets Sick

I have written occasionally about illness and the single parent because I do think that sickness in a single parent household can be a “bigger deal” than in one where there are two parents ready and available to help. When one child in a family of siblings get sick, it can also be tough figuring out how to make sure the healthy children get enough attention while tending to the ill one… I know that when my children were much younger, the healthy kids tended to act up and either try to get away with things, or do whatever they … Continue reading →

Do You Feel Guilty When You Get Sick?

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. … Continue reading →

Getting Help when You’re Sick

I was definitely one of those single parents who tried to save a buck or two in day care costs when I was home sick. Why send the child to day care and pay all that money when I was home and could look after them? Add to that the fact that just getting up and getting everyone ready for day care seemed daunting on a day when I was really sick and it often seemed like the best idea. Alas, it didn’t always turn out that way since there were times when I was too ill to really look … Continue reading →

When The Kids Are Sick with Different Illnesses

Sooner or later it happens—if you are parent to more than one child, eventually (and, perhaps, more often than you’d like) you are going to have to face the adventure of having them sick with different illnesses. Throw on top of that the fact that you might be feeling a little under the weather yourself and it can be hell! How can one (or two) parent(s) play nursemaid to an entire sick ward? I do not really know how we do it—those of us with multiple children have surely had to face having one with a cold, one with an … Continue reading →

When a Single Mom Gets Sick

The truth is, I was blessed genetically with pretty decent health. I don’t have major aches and pains and illnesses to complain of and my immune system is strong enough to fend off most of the things that come my way. This fortunate reality works well with my other fortunate reality—life as a single mom. I tend to get lulled into a false sense of security, however, and when I do get sick—it makes me feel even more grateful that it doesn’t happen very often! The onset of yesterday’s cold was the first such virus I have had in over … Continue reading →

Too Sick for School? How Do You Know For Sure?

I’ve been wrong and I’ve been right on this one—there have been times (I shamefully admit) that I have been tricked and thought my kids were sick enough to stay home only to have them bouncing around and joyfully playing an hour later—and there have been other times I’ve sent them off to school only to take a call two hours later telling me to come and pick them up. How can a parent know if a child is really too sick for school? Obviously, from my earlier confession, I don’t think there is a hard-and-fast, unfailing rule for how … Continue reading →

The Comforts of Home

I don’t know about everybody else, but when I don’t feel well, I long for the comforts of home. I became sick this week, running a temperature of 102.7 (high for me) and all I wanted to do was go home and relax. Then, all I wanted to do was stay home. I snuggled up into my bed with my favorite quilt and chenille throw (even though it was 85 degrees). I piled up the bed pillows, shams, and accent pillows and made myself a soft retreat. Between tasks and errands I could not avoid, I retreated. I read there. … Continue reading →

A Type II Diabetes Journey: When You’re Sick

I’ve been sick all week. Not with the sniffles or a mild cold, but with a knock-you-off-your-feet, scramble-your-brain-in-pain virus. It happens once a year. The virus rips through the Northwest, depleting workers’ sick time, lowering attendance at school significantly, and driving some to their doctor’s offices. If I weren’t relegated to “Dr. Duty” in the military healthcare system, I probably would’ve gone in, even if it were just for some pain relief. Instead, I sit here with my Theraflu Severe Cold Formula and my quilt wrapped around me. They offer some comfort, especially the heavy quilt. In a week where … Continue reading →

Homeschooling from my sick bed

Like I mentioned yesterday, I felt like BLECH! I feel like I my body is trying to fight off the flu. Yesterday I stayed in bed. So how does a mother homeschool from bed? Actually, it is quite easy. We have laptops and TV trays that we can use in bed. If you do not have a laptop, you can still bring books and paper to bed and keep homeschooling without missing a beat. Yesterday my daughter was in my bed with me. Her face was covered to protect her from my germs. She did all of her work by … Continue reading →

Looking For My Waist: Taking Advantage of Sick Days

When you are sick, it is really easy to set the diet aside for comfort foods like macaroni & cheese, grape jelly toast, or ice cream and cake. We say to ourselves, “I don’t have much of an appetite, so at least I am eating something”. We therefore pile on more pounds in our immobile conditions than you would when we are feeling fine. Today I feel… well, BLECH! I spent the night with my face in the toilet, as my sensitive gag reflex and phlegm do not get along. This morning I got up, took my Emergen C immediately … Continue reading →