Oh dear, how the mighty have fallen. A week ago, my 13 year old had a sniffle. This was followed by fever, chills, aches, pains and a cough that won’t quit. Then, one by one, the remaining 4 kids got sick. All at once but not quite all at once. One a day.
I admit it. It has been painful. Sloooooow and painful. The baby of the family – now nearly three (!) — had it the worst; his fever went on for days. Along with that, he did a ton of crying, whining, clinging, and moaning. I held him as much as I could but at some point, meals must be cooked, dishes done, clothes folded etc. One day he spent the first half a day draped across the sofa and the second half lying limply on the floor. That was his really sick day in which almond milk and jello were the only tempting foods and he was too sick to actually care if I held him. Then of course I wanted to hold him all day!
I think this has been one of the most challenging weeks since the Triple Threat became part of the Fab Five 23 months ago. I did learn a couple of things though, and I will share them with you here just in case the “plague” hits your house:
- No amount of care and hand-washing can keep out a virus in a family of 7. Just consider it immunity building.
- My pediatrician explained that anti-bacterial gel does not protect against RV and most strains of colds — so just use soap!
- If you don’t try to accomplish anything at all, you won’t be disappointed.
- Push the fluids, make some chicken soup, forget nutrition and treat them to jello and popsicles. Everyone will be happier.
- Take good care of yourself. Sleep a lot. Drink a lot of liquids. Try to at least postpone getting sick until most are well.
- Laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine.
- Cry if you need to. The bubble bath is a good place.
- Take some “me” time even if it’s at Starbucks after the kids are asleep. Martyrdom hastens illness, I’m convinced.
Gesundheit!
Photo credit: Dreena T
