It’s a common complaint of many stay-at-home mommies: none of the benefits of working individuals. No coffee breaks, no lunch breaks, no bathroom breaks, no vacation days and the one I’m struggling with currently, no sick days. Not even a sick minute!
I’m not sure what has been cycling through our family but it started with Sugarplum popping a fever a weeks ago and the throwing up in the night followed by a few days of extreme tiredness, no desire to eat while complaining of an upset stomach and then “poop that sounds like pee.” She was not well for 3-4 days. Then Honeybun started complaining of headaches that lasted almost 3 days and Doodle has been unusually sleepy and fussy and has a low temperature today.
Then I started feeling lightheaded Tuesday afternoon and spent all day yesterday laid up on the couch feeling like I would pass out if I stood up (which made teaching ballet class late night interesting). I’ve been unable to eat much as I get really sick for about a half hour after eating or drinking anything which is hard since I need to drink lots of water to have enough milk for Doodle.
Being sick and a stay-at-home mom is especially hard because you can’t just rest/be miserable, you still have other little people to take care of. Just because I don’t feel like eating doesn’t mean Sugarplum doesn’t need lunch. Just because I feel awful when I stand up doesn’t mean I can leave Doodle in his crib when he wakes up.
This is very similar to the “morning sickness” I had last year while pregnant with Doodle (no, there is not going to be a 4th edition!) and I was able to drive and pick her up from school on the worst days but that is not an option this year, we have to walk to pick her up. Luckily, I’ve been fortunate to have help from family this time around, though. Hubby was able to come home early yesterday and collect Honeybun from school and keep Sugarplum while I took Honeybun to ballet and today my cousin is going to come help me out with lunch and getting Honeybun from school.
The worst part, though is that I just want to sleep! But I can’t because my children need me. I did rest awhile yesterday afternoon while all 3 kids napped, but hubby w home in case they needed something. I might lay down today as well, but I know I probably won’t get a good rest since anyone of them could wake up and need me at any point.
As the saying goes, there is no rest for the weary and no sick time for the mommy!
You ain’t just whistlin’ La Guantanamera mija! But take consolation knowing you won’t be sick forever and this too shall pass- and so does childhood. Before you know it, all you’ll have are memories, making your sacrifices as a SAHM well worth every moment of it. BB2U