Taking a Sick Day!

In honor of the swine flu epidemic, I had a grand ten step article all laid out for coping with the demands of motherhood while ill.

Great advice like, “Get dressed … it will help you stay on your feet and keep going” and “Act like you’re not sick, you’ll get better soon.” I would be sick AND the perfect mom at the same time.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Before I could write those words, I crashed. Had a complete meltdown. Twice. In one day. My body just couldn’t take “Do at least one load of laundry and the dishes.” And it certainly couldn’t handle “play through the pain” when I absolutely freaked out, punched a wall, cried hysterically and got the first red card of my life after playing while sick at an indoor soccer game. (I was brutally fouled, Ref – and I’m sticking to it!).

Soooooooooo, here is my REAL advice for “Taking a Sick Day” while being a mom:

DECLARE A SICK DAY (or days) AND STICK TO IT. Put on your PJs and explain to dad and your babies that “mommy is sick today” – so don’t expect much! Stay in bed or lounge on the couch. Fully utilize the “silent babysitter” … your TV. Let your kids “play nurse” and wait on you hand and foot (trust me; they actually think this is really fun). Pull out your freezer meals. Listen to the radio or watch a “mommy” movie. And if you feel compelled to do chores, stick to the basics 1) Feeding and changing your kids and 2) Light housework like sorting or working on the computer (which, interestingly enough, is the kind of work that “sick” people in the office world take a break from!).

Whatever you do, put your energies towards getting better and cuddling your babies as much as you can. If you don’t take care of yourself physically, there is so much room for your emotional and spiritual being to come under attack. In the end, your might not look like the “perfect” mom to your family or your friends, but you WILL be a peaceful mom. And there is nothing more perfect than a mom – and a family – at peace. Just ask my referee.