When life feels overwhelming, and you’re juggling a million things while hearing the familiar cries of “Mom, I’m hungry!” it’s easy to forget that things could always be worse—you could actually be sick. Before stepping into motherhood, I often envisioned sick days filled with cozy breakfast in bed, charmingly misspelled notes from my kids, and pancakes that may not be perfect but are made with love. The reality? Far from it!
6 AM: The Wake-Up Call
The alarm blares, jolting you from what little sleep you managed to snag. On a regular day, you’d be rushing down the hall, waking the kids and prepping for work, school, or whatever adventures await. But when you’re not feeling your best, the temptation to hit snooze and retreat back to bed is strong. With little ones depending on you, there’s no chance for that—after all, who would take care of them if you didn’t? So, you throw on a cozy sweater to combat those body aches and prepare for the day ahead.
Midday: The Struggle for Rest
If you think napping is an option while Child #1 is off at school and Child #2 is glued to Kinder Surprise Egg unboxing videos, think again. Your mind buzzes with all the tasks still on your to-do list. Lunch for Child #2? A quick bowl of cereal, paired with string cheese—dinner of champions! Just as you finally manage to doze off, the alarm reminds you it’s time to pick up Child #1 from school. Oops! You still haven’t showered and are sporting the same clothes from drop-off. Let’s hope no one notices.
Dinner: The Takeout Solution
Takeout becomes your best friend. Yes, please! Who has the energy to cook when feeling under the weather?
Bedtime: The Final Stretch
After consuming as much Dayquil as your body can handle, it’s time to switch to the nighttime formula. Fingers crossed it knocks you out so thoroughly that you won’t hear any nighttime whines. But wait—between all the tea and orange juice, your bladder has other plans, sending you sprinting to the bathroom. Just when you think you can finally rest, Child #1 reappears with a nightmare. Guess who’s on hallway duty? Yep, it’s still you.
Finally, you lay down, only to be greeted by the 6 AM alarm again before you know it. So much for a “sick day”—it’s just another day in the life of a mom, where traditional sick days don’t really exist. If you’re lucky enough to get sick on a weekend or when your partner is home, you might get a little help, but let’s be honest: it’s tough to relinquish control, even when you’re feeling crummy.
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In summary, a “sick day” as a mom is filled with challenges, a lack of rest, and the constant need to keep everything moving despite feeling unwell. You power through, because that’s what moms do!