When Mom is sick

missmolly511

When you get sick and can't get help, what do you do? I have been glued to the toilet for the last couple of days sick from both ends (sorry if that's TMI) and as of this morning I'm on an antibiotic, so I'm not worried about DD getting sick- I am just so exhausted but I feel guilty that I can't be a better mom right now. Our usual sitters are in school during the week, and I hate to stick her in her pack-n-play all day long but with DH at school and working full time, and my family hundreds of miles away, I don't really know what else to do. I definitely need more sleep and general rest than I'm getting but she still needs me for all her meals, changes, stimulation, etc. I'm praying the antibiotic will have this cleared up in no time, but what do you do when you're almost too sick to parent but don't have a choice? Any advice is welcome!!

Jena503

Usually I have DH take a day off if I am that sick. Having a day where I can truly rest gets me back on my feet much faster than trying to suffer through.

But we also relax all rules when we're sick - TV all the time, whatever. Once when me and both kids were sick, we camped out on an air mattress in the den, each with a towel under our heads for easier clean up and each with our own barf bowl nearby. Fun times.

Can you get the sitters to come over as soon as they're out of school? Can they recommend another sitter? I've also used the mom of my babysitter as a backup plan for when she was in school. Once, my friend's mother-in-law "babysat" both me and DD after I had my gallbladder out (she just cooked me lunch, but it was very nice).

Sorry you're sick

Sunflower7777

Just wanted to say I hope you're feeling better today, I know how miserable that is when you feel terrible but you're the only parent to take care of your child/ren. I had the stomach flu two weeks ago when DH was out of town. There was no one else to pick up DS1 from kindergarten; I had to pull over on the way to pick him up and puke on the side of the road. Ugh. 

Hopefully it's a non-issue for you today if you've already suffered a few days of being sick, but don't feel guilty at all if you can't be the best mom, it's ok. Whatever toys will entertain your DD in the pack & play, whatever TV shows hold her attention - just try to rest if you can. You'll be back to yourself soon and will be able to take better care of her.