A Relatable Mom Rant on Flu Season

Seriously, what’s next

As we enter yet another season of the flu, I like to remind everyone that if you are a mother complaining about this awful part of motherhood, you are not alone. I feel you and so do other mothers fighting the good fight. So, what does a typical day look like on a sick day? Here are some light-hearted, but comical insights into the day of a mother and her sicko.

Cock-a-Doodle-Do

Another early morning rising with some grumpy kiddos! So, let’s just say the day does start earlier than normal because your sick child is making his major reveal that he cannot go to school by pouting in your face, dragging his feet, groaning, and sprouting a plethora of tears. Just the way I love to start the morning off! While the other kid complains that life isn’t fair, the sick kid plants himself firmly on the couch, remote in hand, with his special blanket and pillow. This just irritates the other sibling to the point of name calling and looks. My back turns and screaming ensues within 2 minutes. We have reached our wake up call for the morning and there is no snooze button.

It’s Time For School

The hatred is still looming. The well child is very angry that she has to go to school. She’s also angry that I will not be taking her to school so that I can stay home with my sicko. She storms through the house, refusing to do anything I ask her to do — like putting her shoes on. Brushing teeth is always a no win battle and finding her jacket just brings more tears. I’m not sure why this so difficult for many kids. I mean, I drop a piece of candy on the floor and my children appear before me within seconds to snag it. It is all very confusing. So I yell “GET READY!”

Putting Shoes On

As said before, this act of putting shoes on is harder than calculus for your child. I mean, finding the shoes is one thing, but actually putting them on — that’s a whole new issue. It takes 15 minutes for my sloth to put her shoes on because she is whining the entire time about how I’m the worst mother in the whole world and that she wants a new family — all for me asking her to put her shoes on — I’m confused again.

Whining Kid on the Couch

Her dad finally loads her in the car, as she glares at me in anger. I just wave and smile and then get back to my son. He is whining that he is bored, not understanding that I cannot play with him while he is sick. He needs to be resting. Now he’s angry at me too. Ugh, I feel like I can’t win in these situations. I know he’s not feeling well, but should I be thinking of my “wine” right now? Of course not, it’s too early — ha ha, I’m kidding! No really, I do feel for my little guy though. He is spiking a fever so I get him some medicine and lay with him. My poor baby.

Eat or Drink; Do Something

Everyone knows or should know, how important fluids are for people that are sick. The problem is many sick people do not feel well enough, so they refuse food and liquids. I usually pour some orange juice and add some ice cubes to water it down a bit. I also put some crackers and water in front of my son so he at least has it right there if he decides to eat. After a while, I really start in on the liquids and most of the time he feels better soon after. So, he stays on the couch, watching TV, while I try to work. He calls me every 10 minutes. I’ve accepted that I’ve become a slave to my sick son.

It’s Going to Be a Fun Night

So let’s skip ahead to bedtime. Normally when my kids are sick, I like to put them to bed early so that they get some good sleep. Of course, my son does not like this idea — my daughter does. Yes, she is skipping around the house bragging about how she gets to stay up later. Arguing happens again and now I have 2 grumpy kids. I end up putting them both to bed early…. to start all over again the next day!

Good times!