Since I’ve had my children I’ve had both the stay-at-home experience and the working outside-of –the-home experience, however since having kids, my boss(es) have remained the same…..three little people! These are the hardest bosses I have ever encountered, and ones that don’t care if I am feeling like death warmed over, they demand to be dressed, fed, bathed, played with and loved!
Of course, over the last 5 ½ years, I have had my share of colds, stomach bugs, and fevers, usually after caring for one of these bosses that were generous enough to share their germs with me.
So what do I do? My husband still needs to go to work, and can’t call in sick because I’m sick in order to take care of the kids. Many times , there is no calling someone to be a substitute, as many school teachers get to do. Some parents can send their kids to daycare, although it still remains that they need lunches packed, to be dropped off and picked up, fed, read to and put to bed. Since I have been working outside-the-home part-time, it’s also raises the question, is it easier to go to work sick, or stay home sick with these little boss people ?
You know what us sick parents do? We don’t call in, we do our parental job SICK! We muddle through the day, meeting our children’s needs regardless of how we are feeling. I distinctly remember (and cover your eyes if you are squeamish) having a terrible stomach bug, and praying to the porcelain god many times one day when I was home alone with my then 14 month-old son. I was kneeling in the bathroom ready to let it go AGAIN, and he came walking in, probably curious as to what Mommy was doing kneeling on the floor in the bathroom. I grabbed a handful of bath toys in reach and tossed them out into the hallway for him to chase and not have the chance to see food coming out the wrong way! He was never the wiser.
Each time a new parent is born (or born again) we continue to do amazing things for our kids. We put ourselves on the back-burner and do whatever it takes (even while tossing our cookies) to keep our kids happy, healthy and safe.
I do stand by and reiterate my message in many of my blogs that we need to ask for help and accept that help whenever possible. When the opportunity arises and if you can get some help – GET IT AND GO TO BED!
In the meantime, know that if your child is fed, happy and safe – that’ll do until you are feeling better or reinforcements arrive!
I believe these will be the hardest, most demanding bosses one person can have, but the payday is more than any check one may get!
Sincerely,
From the Stork’s Nest~
Rebecca
Tell us some of your “wish I could call in sick” stories!
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