Updated: April 29, 2021
Originally Published: Oct. 9, 2012
The excitement of sending kids back to school often fades quickly when they return home with sniffles, coughs, and a variety of germy ailments. Suddenly, your once lively household is filled with the sounds of sneezes and moans, leaving parents to handle the chaos of colds, fevers, and other unwelcome visitors.
Since the start of the school year, my two eldest children have been home battling nasty viruses, and as you might guess, it’s far from a delightful experience. As the one tasked with tending to our ailing kids, I’ve come to recognize the seven distinct stages I go through each time illness strikes:
- Denial: When my son woke up with a stuffy nose and a scratchy throat, I thought, “Really? Are you certain?” I questioned his symptoms, convinced he was just tired. A quick temperature check revealed no fever, so I handed him some DayQuil and confidently sent him off to school. Everything’s fine, right?
- Acceptance with a Dash of Panic: Just an hour later, the school nurse called, confirming what I had been avoiding—my son was indeed unwell. I picked him up, settled him in front of the TV with a cozy blanket and some ice water, and canceled my day’s plans.
- Hope: In this phase, parents hold onto the belief that whatever bug has struck will be a short-lived one. We encourage hydration with popsicles and soup while indulging in a few movies on demand. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!
- Love and Concern: I check on my child frequently, offering comforting snacks and medicine every few hours. I listen patiently to their complaints, providing cool cloths and plenty of cuddles. This nurturing phase lasts a day or two before inevitably transforming into…
- Frustration: By day three, with fevers still soaring and remnants of sickness lingering, my patience begins to wear thin. I’m staring at a toilet that bears witness to the chaos, and my supply of cold medicine has run dry. When I call the doctor, the reminder that viruses can linger for a week feels like salt in the wound, and I find myself wondering why there’s still no magic cure for the common cold.
- Despair: After several days cooped up at home, I feel the walls closing in. It’s just me, my children, and the incessant Nickelodeon reruns. The realization that others are out living life while I’m stuck in pajamas makes the cabin fever even worse. The thought of back-to-school night becomes a beacon of hope for escape.
- Joy: Then, one glorious morning, my son bounds down the stairs declaring he feels better! We celebrate our triumph over illness with a high five. I remind him to shower while I step outside to bask in the sunlight, savoring the moment of victory.
Of course, just when I think we’re in the clear, I glance over at my youngest and see the unmistakable signs of pink eye. Back to stage one—oh no!
For more parenting insights and resources, check out our other blog posts like this one and visit Make a Mom for expert advice on home insemination. Additionally, Rmany is a great resource for all things pregnancy-related.
Summary
Navigating the illness cycle with kids can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from denial to joy and back again. Understanding these phases can help parents cope with the inevitable viruses that come with the back-to-school season.