WSU vs. Milwaukee
Badin Spirit Olympics
Adventure Summit
Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2009 > December > 28 > Entry
Moms don’t get “sick days”
It’s no secret I’m squeamish when it comes to potentially germy things like door handles, faucets and children (including my own).
But no matter how fiercely I combat cooties, I occasionally lose the battle.
With a baby in the house again my germ warfare has become compulsive, however, no amount of Lysol wipes or hand sanitizer proved to be weapon enough this time.
It started with Nick and a runny nose, progressed to The Sister in the form of a fever and then I was attacked. My luck had run out and I was quickly reminded, moms don’t get “sick days.”
My pillow taunted me as I muddled through the day, packing lunches and changing the diapers of a baby who was also miserable with congestion - her tears of frustration only adding insult to injury.
I reminisced to the days when over-the-counter cough and congestion medications were available for infants. Oh, how I had taken that for granted.
This time we resorted to the recommended simpler methods of “relief.” Ever try to put saline nose drops into an infant’s nostrils? It’s kind of like water-boarding.
The humidifier and Vapor Rub didn’t help much either. So, Baby Girl was forced to suffer through the symptoms of her first cold while Mommy found minimal relief with cough drops.
Sleep came at a premium, and Nick’s runny nose woke him up at precisely the moment The Sister closed her eyes and Mommy finally hit the sheets. No rest for the weary - except for my husband who could sleep through a freight train in the living room.
By the time Nick was back in bed with his Vapor Plug emitting soothing eucalyptus, The Sister was awake again, begging for her nose to be suctioned so she could use her pacifier.
Hesitant to go running to the pediatrician for just a cold, I finally gave in and made a call to his office.
“Is there a top secret solution to relieving a baby’s stuffy nose?” I pleaded.
Stopping short of providing me with a secret potion, the nurse informed me I was doing the best I could and essentially, this too shall pass.
And pass it did, albeit slowly.
We’re all on the mend and back to disinfecting the door knobs.
What are your secrets to making your little one’s feel better when illness strikes?
Email this contributing writer at Motherhoodcolumn@yahoo.com.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Motherhood Column
Comments
By mom
December 30, 2009 2:49 AM | Link to this
We only wish we got sick days. In one weeks time about 3 months ago my son contracted h1n1, my daughter had a tummy virus, my fiance had a sinus infection, and lil ole me had a tummy virus on top of my fibromyalgia. Ya…that was a fun week. They all got babied and I puttered on. lol
By fortressdayton
December 29, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
One of the joys of raising kids. My boy gets to enjoy sleeping in a cold bedroom at night, as do I. We don’t heat bedrooms unless the cold is extreme. The result is a reduction of bacterial growth. We don’t get colds or the flu and we haven’t been to the doctor in years. A cold bedroom does require a good goosedown comforter. It works and you save by not overheating your whole house.
By BGmommy
December 29, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
My little girl has a cold right now and the ENT told us to use Afrin. He said there’s nothing in it that can harm a child, she’s only 2, so I figured I’d try it, it seems to help. Just a suggestion.
By ACL
December 29, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
Oh and BTW NO we don’t get sick days…my baby gave me his cold and now I’m sick and he is all better and I’m miserable!
By ACL
December 29, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
I purchased a book titled: “Smart Medicine for a Healthy Child” It gives you all the remedies for different illnesses in children. The common cold and flu section has helped me tremendously. The book is broken into sections for natural, homeopathic, over-the-counter etc; The homeopathic treatments have done wonders for when my ten month old gets a cold. I use Allium Cepa and Pulsatilla, Saline drops, aspirator, baby vapor rub. But of course check with your doctor first.
By Yeah Right
December 29, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
No, they don’t teach English here, we have real jobs. You put a comma in when you didn’t need one. Where’s the contraction genius? or lack-of? don’t throw stones in glass houses.
By SW
December 29, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this
There are no secrets (and believe me I have begged the medical professionals in my family to tell me) as far as I know… and I know what you mean about taking the OTC meds for granted we had access to just a few short years ago. Thanks for once again letting me know I am not alone, Darci!
By Is that a contraction?
December 29, 2009 7:16 AM | Link to this
Apparently they aren’t taught proper usage of the apostrophe, either.
By Yeah right
December 28, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
They get them where I work. They run home when their 14 year olds sniffle. I think it’s just a scam to say “they’re working from home”. rrriiigghhttt