Parenting
By Sarah Mitchell
Updated: Jan. 15, 2016
Originally Published: Oct. 9, 2015
Most families I know operate on carefully planned schedules. They’ve mapped out who stays home, who goes to work, and how to juggle child care—whether through a babysitter, daycare, or even Grandma. Typically, there’s a colorful calendar on the fridge detailing everything from after-school activities to doctor visits. It all functions smoothly as long as everyone stays healthy and adheres to the plan.
But the moment Mom falls ill, everything is thrown into chaos. At the first hint of a fever or nausea, every mom I know thinks, “Oh no! Not now!” Because, let’s face it, the entire household often hinges on Mom’s ability to keep everything running. If she’s out of commission, the whole operation can quickly fall apart.
If Mom usually manages the kids but is suddenly too unwell to handle, say, an infant and a toddler, Dad is expected to take a day off work to let her rest. Sounds reasonable, right? Not quite. Many dads prefer to conserve their sick days for “real” emergencies or when they themselves feel unwell. As a result, Mom is left to battle through whatever illness she’s facing while keeping the little ones entertained. Sadly, the allure of television is fleeting for younger kids—my toddler can only handle so much of Elmo before launching into his own chaotic adventures.
For working moms, the situation can be even more complicated. Many mothers don’t receive sick days, either due to being hourly workers or because their employers offer no such benefit. Often, like the dads, they save their sick days for when their children fall ill or when the babysitter is unavailable. Grandparents sound like a perfect backup, but like many moms, I hesitate to put my elderly parents through a round of contagious illnesses.
No matter how you look at it, being a mom means there are no sick days. Last spring, my family was hit hard by a virus, taking turns succumbing to it one by one. Each of us was completely knocked out for about a week—first my older son, then my younger son, followed by my husband, and finally, me. But when it was my turn to be sick, I still had three other sick people to care for. It fell on me to entertain the kids when they grew tired of TV, run errands for necessary supplies, and take them to the pediatrician when fevers spiked.
My husband and I took turns managing the children based on our fluctuating fevers. I’d pop some Tylenol to lower my temperature for a short while, and then he’d do the same. It felt like we were in a scene from a zombie movie—except we were responsible for kids. We didn’t want to risk exposing our sitters to our illness, nor did we feel comfortable asking family for help for the same reason.
So what’s the answer to this dilemma? Honestly, I’m not sure. During those feverish moments, I imagined us checking into a cozy clinic where attentive nurses would take care of us with ginger ale and soothing broths. But that’s just a dream for now.
In reality, when you’re a mom, sick days simply don’t exist.
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Summary:
Being a mom means that illness doesn’t come with a break. Whether juggling schedules or managing sick family members, moms often find themselves caring for others while battling their own health issues. The reality is that there are no sick days in motherhood, making it essential to find support and resources during tough times.
Keyphrase: No Sick Days for Moms
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