Kids Are Work
They get you up at 5:07 am because they have to use the potty. Which, admittedly, is better than the alternative, but still, 5:07! AM!!
They need you to take the lids off markers, wrap the dollies in blankies, and referee fights over the television.
They show you their dances, bring your their pictures, and ask you to play Lucky Ducks with them, again.
They want juice and cheerios and tummyrubs.
Normally none of these things are much of a problem. (Well, the 5 am potty break kinda sucks, but again, when you consider the alternative, it's not so bad.) These are the things you sign on for as a mother. The fetching and carrying and wiping and rubbing are just part of the job, and you learn to just cope with the constant interruptions and distractions that are life with kids. But when you're sick, it's a whole different story.
I don't want to stagger from my bed to fill a sippy cup with juice or change the movie in the dvd player today. I don't want to read books, ooh over scribbles in a colouring book, or wipe anyone's butt. I want to simply lie down in peace, safe from the intrusions and inconveniences that are my children. I'm sick too, and I'm tired after too many nights up with sick children. I've started to respond to any sentence beginning with the phrase "Mommy, can you" with an automatic no that cuts off the speaker before she finishes the demand. In fact, if I hear the word "Mommy" one more time, I might just lose my mind (and the small shreds of my temper that I'm currently holding on to.) And woe to any crayons, lidless markers, or any other toys left scattered about the livingroom floor for me to stumble over as I'm summoned to fulfill their latest requests.
Being sick sucks. Being sick with kids sucks even more. But being sick with kids and no one to pick up the slack? Pretty much the pinnacle of suck. I want someone to rub my tummy and bring me juice. Without spilling it all over in the process. Because we all know who's gonna end up cleaning that up.
Comments
If I lived down the street then I would come over and take the kids off your hands and get you all set up with the tv, blankets, juice and whatever else you needed. Sadly I am on the other side of the world so all I can send you is an imaginery hug and lots of get well soon wishes. Hope you feel better soon and that someone notices that you need a break.
5:07 a.m. Good god. You have all of my sympathy. I don't know how you do it running at 100%. At anything less? Amazing.
Feel better :)
As a formerly single mom, I sympathize with you. This may not help much, but I can tell you that, now that my daughter is 16 and will be leaving for college in a couple of years, I'm remembering all those things with poignancy and fondness. Even the times when I was sick and she made lots more work for me trying to "take care of mommy."
Mommy, mommy! Go lie down and get some rest. (We wish.)
Hope you feel better soon!
Ugh! So sorry to hear about it, and I'll echo Eden's offer--or at least host a playdate. Hope you can get some relief soon.
*cyber tummy rub* and here is some juice. I hope you feel better soon!
Now I know why you REALLY want me to move back there. :)
Soon they will be old enough to rub your tummy and make you tea. If you can hold out that long. :)
Feel Better. Something icky has been making it's way through our house too.
That sux. Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for all the virtual tea and sympathy. I know I'm not the only one to have caught whatever nasty is going around; I hope everyone else is feeling better too.
And Thordora, I want you to move back because you're wicked cool and Regan would be great friends with Vivian and Roslyn. (The fact that I could ship her over for a playdate when I feel like crap is just an added perk :)
It's so true. Uck. Uck. And Uck. Sometimes some back up would be so nice. Oh. Wait. I guess that is why I live with my mother. But still....
Hope you're all feeling better.
