The moment vacation was over was the precise moment the first person got sick. Keian to be exact. It was the stomach bug and it ran through the house at a slow and laborious pace. It even managed to skip a few children.
Then, the next round.
This time a fever, aches, and congestion. (yep, sounds like the flu).
I got both.
I’m not a sickly person. Outside of pregnancy, I am rarely sick…even when the rest of the household is. It’s probably the whole mama-thing (you know, mama CAN’T be sick…it would disrupt the biorhythms of the household and the entire family would turn to mush.) So, getting both these illnesses has been a little disconcerting to say the least.
What’s a mama to do when she’s the sick one? Thankfully, I got sick over a weekend and under my mama’s roof where both my husband and my mother could watch children and nurse me back to health, but when I’m here by myself and sick, it feels as if there is no choice but to keep on keepin’ on.
Years ago, I met a woman who was the oldest of 12. She told me of a time when her mother was continuously sick and spent most of her days on the couch. She had to hold down the fort so to speak, yet this woman held no ill feelings toward her mother about her mother’s lack of parenting during those years. At the time she was telling me this story, I was desperately ill with morning sickness and doing most of my parenting from the couch. Guilt was overtaking me and I begged her to tell me how she managed to come out of it unscathed.
The only thing she could think of was GRATITUDE.
She said her mother gushed gratitude at every single thing the children did for her and for the household. The children always felt as if mom needed them and that she appreciated everything they did.
Since that discussion, I have tried to put to practice this young woman’s words. Yes, I’ve had to rely on older children (who aren’t all that old) to make meals and clean up and care for younger siblings, but I have done it with GRATITUDE.
There are many everyday things the children are expected to do to make this household run, but when mama can’t pitch in at all, it can easily feel overwhelming. I try to keep life to a minimum (paper plates and movies for the littles are just a few of the concessions I make) and I try to take what opportunities I have as I hold down the couch to be mama.
And I gush GRATITUDE.
So, Mom, Ty, Kids who aren’t sick…THANK YOU! You are loved and appreciated!
Fruitful Harvest says
I pray you are all feelin better~
Blessings,
Georgiann
Anonymous says
As a Mommy (of 3) that spends most of her days in bed, I agree with you!
grateful for the Potter’s workmanship,
HveHope
Mrs. P. says
What a great reminder. We all should practice gushing graditude. Praying that you are all on the mend. We are rarely sick but it seems like when a bug comes our way, we get really down with it.
Blessings!
Gail
Heart2Heart says
Amy,
It is true that sometimes as the person who ultimately holds down the fort on a regular basis, when we are in need, our family is so often ready to enlist and come to our aid. Yet we feel guilty and don’t take that assistance.
I love your gratitude attitude and promise to start putting that into place.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Melissa G. says
What a great post and a wonderful lesson to learn. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!
I hope you’re all better now and don’t get sick again! It’s so hard being a sick mommy!
Holly says
This reminds me that children are more willing to help out if you express gratitude for what they have already done. Thank you!!
Lilyofthevalley - Tanya says
So true and I hope you are feeling better soon!
Angela says
I hope you are all feeling better. The Lord has been gracious to me–every time I’ve gotten sick as a mom, it’s been on the weekend when my husband is around to take care of the kids. I should probably gush a little more gratitude to my husband in those times!