What Happens When Mom Is The One Who’s Sick?

I take care of these people. But sometimes I need them to take care of me right back.

I am feeling okay now. Thanks for asking.

But that was NOT the case just a few days ago. I am the mother of four and for that very reason I think, I have developed a superior immune system through the years.

You laugh, but how else could you explain the fact that no matter what crap my kids bring into this house from school, playgrounds and the occasional licking of a hand rail at Old Navy, I rarely get sick.

Sure occasionally I get a stuffy head cold. But it is never anything that keeps me from going about my daily routine.

However every now and again it happens. Maybe I am extra stressed out or I haven’t been eating as well as I should. Not exercising enough.

Whatever the cause, some vile germ invades my body. A cowardly germ that attacks while my immune system is looking the other way.

Then it becomes clear. Mama is down. Repeat, Mama is down. Jump off the ship now people, because it is sinking.

I was fine one minute and then, I wasn’t. It was clear that this was a germ that was here to do some damage. Moms don’t get off days? This simply could not be.

Icing on the cake was the fact that my husband was out-of-town. So there was just me. AND four little people. I quickly declared a state of emergency.

Thank goodness it was Saturday. At least we didn’t have to be anywhere. There was that.

And just like that I had chills, aches, severe sore throat, a painful cough and absolutely no energy or will to get out of bed.

But you see the germ could not stop there. That alone was not enough to keep Super Mom down. So it grabbed the kitchen sink and threw it at me, too. That’s right. A stomach bug. As in throwing up.

White flag raised. I surrender. You win super germ.

It was clear that I would have to stay in the bed all day and try not to die. But that was not an option. I had to at least pose as the adult in charge.

I called my kids into my deathbed room and told them the news. I needed their corporation or we were all going down.

By the dark circles under my eyes and the vomit falling out of my face they knew this was serious. This was the moment that we had practiced for. Mom was down. Dad was gone. The kids were in charge.

Gulp.

What they ate for breakfast, I still don’t know. I am pretty sure it contained chocolate chips though. Like a bag of chocolate chips.

They did however eat. So at least they would not starve. After all we were in survival mode.

I heard two televisions come on simultaneously. Thank goodness for TV. Allowing them to watch tv meant the fighting and fussing would be held to a minimum. As if I had the strength to stop them anyway.

You know I am out of commission when you don’t see the blinds open for an entire day. That is the first thing I do when the sun comes up. Evidently I am the only one in the house who knows how to operate those little hanging strings. The house remained dark.

Everyone was still walking around in pajamas. No beds were going to be made on this day. Everything that I stand for in life would have to be put on the back-burner. I couldn’t even muster the energy to protest.

I faded in and out of sleep. Everything seemed to be okay in the house. There was no yelling or crying. I mean, why would anyone argue when YOU the KIDS are in charge?

They took care of lunch for themselves as well. I later asked my seven-year old what he ate. He told me 8 peanut butter crackers and three packs of fruit snacks. I was so proud. He had remembered the fruit.

Again, they were eating at least. Survival mode. My daughter helped the youngest make a sandwich. That is something that she would never volunteer to do under normal circumstances.

Aww she loves him just enough to not want him to starve to death. So touching.

One by one the kids would come and sit on my bed. They weren’t used to Mom being sick like this. Moms don’t get sick.

They brought me bottles of water. They drew me pictures. They reported every single thing that anyone did. They didn’t want me to miss out on any of the day’s events. My daughter even performed a song and dance.

In other words they did their best to take care of me, just like I always take care of them.

For supper the had popcorn. The first bag was cooked by my five-year old without permission. It was set to cook for 30 minutes. Luckily my daughter prevented a house fire by smelling the burning bag. She swooped in and saved the day.

She put in a new bag and pushed the popcorn button on the microwave. Aww, she had cooked her very first meal.

Some opted for showers. Others opted out. I was in no condition to push the issue. They did all (somewhat) brush their teeth and even went to bed after only being asked twice.

I still felt like death warmed over but I was so proud of them. There had been no major spats. Three meals were covered. No new laundry had accumulated since they still had on the pajamas from last night.

The next morning I was actually able to get out of bed. I was very weak and starving, but I was going to live.

The hubby arrived back home and took the kids out for the day to give me a chance to recuperate. The house was in shambles. But what would you expect when kids take care of themselves and their mom? I have some great kids. They kept the ship afloat.

What happens in your house when you get sick?

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