We often do not know what to expect when we become a mother. This past week, my husband and I traveled for a few days and the children stayed home with family. The last two days we were away we found out they became sick and so did two of the family members!
When we returned home they had the typical runny noses and were less energetic! Children become sick especially when they are exposed to socialization in a structured environment( AKA: school, preschool, church, play dates, and extracurricular activities). Some things you will not be able to avoid. It can be a good thing when your child gets a few sniffles- as I have been told- “building their immune system in a natural way is healthy.
However, when your kiddos are sick, there are a few things that are not listed in the “mother’s manual”. Every household is different and depending on the number of children one may have- this can vary too. Heck, even if you have one child, some of the things that come with an ill child are not listed in the ” mother’s manual”.
Over the past week, I generated a list of the things that you may come across when having a tough week with your family. I was able to just think, chat and laugh with my husband at times as we navigated through this week with our cranky, fussy, under-the-weather babies. This list is my opinion only and just a fun way to let you know you are not alone!!!!
Some things we DO NOT FIND in the “Mother’s Manual”…..
- When one child becomes sick, most likely the others will have some or all of the same symptoms.
- Sleepless nights are common and can be a shock especially if you have a household who normally sleeps through the night.
- Diarrhea is REAL. Yes, it seeps out of the best diapers on the market!
- Sometimes you will miss all the fun, planned events in your calendar despite feeling they were so meant to be!
- Cleaning snotty noses, constantly washing hands and steam showers with saline will end soon.
- Do not feel bad when you stand strong to take your children to their Pediatrician. With or without health insurance- take your children to see a doctor ALL THE TIME! I joke with the staff at our doctor’s office that I will someday get a part time gig there! This is what health insurance is for!
- YOU MAY get ill too while being the main person caring for your babies! However, if you stick to a good diet and healthy habits this should be pretty mild! I am not only thankful for this but also for all those who have been praying with us during this stressful week. I truly believe the Lord has been with us and has given me all the physical strength I needed to take care of three under the age of five!
- Lots of mucous can cause coughing which can cause a lot of spit-up! One of our little ones has the hardest time with they get a cold. The mucous in their throat causes them to spit up quite a bit because they do not know how to expel quite yet. This is normal. There a plenty of ways to minimize the spit up but realistically, be ready to be changing sheets, pajamas, and pillows at 245AM!
- When your kiddos become ill all they want is mama and daddy! This is very normal, healthy, and important. However, it can be exhausting. You can easily become overwhelmed as you have children all over you all day. It is normal to feel like this as a parent. I strongly recommend keeping their schedule/routine the best you can so you can get some free time to decompress and relax. It is hard and I feel like a “Mother’s Manual” leaves this out because we are “expected” and “shunned” to feel this way but it is completely normal and healthy. It is okay to want to be alone and have some free time despite the circumstances.
- It will all end soon. Don’t we want to hear that? Nothing lasts forever. Children get sick, some more than others, some less, and some with simple colds/mild flu, etc, and some unfortunately with serious illnesses. However, stay close to God’s Word, and your hubby(support team) and dig into some verses that will help encourage and comfort you during this stressful time. Try to laugh!!!!
As a verse, I love to read is located in Exodus 15:2, NKJV:
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him”
Thank you for visiting! As always, we hope and PRAY this is a blessing to you!!!
