I Need a Daytime Sniffling, Sneezing, Coughing, Aching, Stuffy-Head, Fever, So I Can Rest Nanny

No Soup For You!

Remember the soup nazi from Seinfeld?

That's what I think of when I get sick.

No, not that i'm a nazi, but I change the phrase to "No Sick Leave For You!"

It's true, right? You know exactly what i'm talking about.

Moms.Don't.Get.Sick.Leave.

They just don't. Not only are we working a 24-7-365, we work overtime when we get sick.

No help. No simple lesson plans to fill out for a substitute. No "I'll catch up parenting tomorrow, the kids can make their own dinners tonight."

Our hubbies don't get spousal sick leave either. My hubby's idea deals with Karma. If he uses his sick leave for anything other than HIS illnesses, then it will come back to bite him in the butt. I understand only because he has Crohn's, and well you never know what may happen.

But, I'm not asking for a vacation. Just a few extra hours to sleep. To rest. To GET WELL. When you go and go and go while sick, it just seems you get worse first instead of better.

Knock on wood, I don't get sick often. This actually is the first time since my Christmas Day, 2007 UTI than I've been out of commission. Just plain worn out, can't do much but sit on the couch with a blankie and try to rest.

But there's the meals. The errands. The taxi-service. The dressing. The bathing. The laundry. The chores. They never end, but on days when you're sick you just want to put everything on hold and get back to it 2 days later.

But you can't.

The Benedryl helps, but you only get sleepier. You hope and pray the Little Einsteins marathon is good enough for your toddler to handle while you take ten 3 minute naps over the hour. Each time you startle yourself awake, you survey the room to make sure your child is still around.

Bleh.

Reason #478, 381 of "why motherhood is the hardest job EVER, and the pay stinks!"

So the update is--doctor says "bad cold" and to take Motrin and an antihistamine for 2 days BEFORE I fill the antibiotics prescription she actually gave me at the same time.

Can we say moral dilemma??

52 supporters in group:

  1. Anonymous said...

    FILL THE PRESCRIPTION (can you picture me as the devil on your left shoulder?)

    Try DayQuil. Always works for me when I have the sinus crud.

    xoxo

  2. Sue Wilkey said...

    I have actually let all 3 kids stay home from school because I couldn't manage getting them off in the morning. My husband was all :You can't DO that!" and I was all" Then keep your ass home and HELP me!"

  3. Wendi said...

    What Dr. gives you a prescription and then says give it a day or two?
    Huh?
    You have been sick long enough.
    You have tried OTC meds...they haven't worked.
    Fill the prescription!!!
    Drink lots of fluids.
    Get plenty of rest. (right)
    You will feel better by tomorrow.

    *I am not a doctor I just play one on this post.

  4. Unknown said...

    Oh man I am sorry , it isn't fair when we get sick. I get so annoyed with my dh when he is home sick but can't stay home when I am LOL. I hope you feel better soon.

  5. Unknown said...

    I'd be fillin' that prescription if I were you. I've honestly never heard of a doctor giving one and then saying to wait. That's a new one for me. Whatever you do, I hope you get well soon. I know what you mean about no rest for the Mommies!

  6. scargosun said...

    DO NOT FILL PRESCRIPTION

    If you have a virus it will do no good. If you DO have a bacterial infection, you would have gotten worse even with the symptom control of Benedryl and Motrin. Do what the doc says. She did the right thing in giving it to you (so that you don't have to go back if it IS an bacterial infection) and gave you the right advice, not to take it if you don't need it.
    This is coming from someone who spent 10 years in heathcare and healthcare research.

  7. Jo-Jo said...

    Oh I soooo understand. Don't you just want to scream (if you had the enery) I just want a break so I can meet your every need once I am better! Because that is what we do.

  8. Lindsay said...

    LOL loved the title of this post! I am with you.. only thing is my husband can take spousal sick time. But I always try and hold out on him doing it incase I get a stomach bug or something that I really can't watch Sammy. I hope you feel better soon!!

  9. ♥ Braja said...

    Poor you! I'd send my maid over to you but that could be an expensive habit...if you lived closer,however, you could consider it done ... Take care, it's the only way....

  10. Amy Clary said...

    Blech. Sounds like you're not feeling well, huh? I say try Zicam. It works well for me. It's not a miracle cure, but it works faster than anything else I've tried.

    Feel better!

  11. Elaine at Matters of the Heart) said...

    I am laughing my tail off at this post... I can relate so well.

    I say fill the prescription, it can't hurt, plus it will get rid of anything that may be there.

    If is was the kid I'd say wait, you, I say go for it...

    Hope you feel better soon...

  12. AUDREY {LIL' BOOGER BLOG} said...

    Love the post, but I'm sorry you're sick. I hope you get to feeling better.

  13. Unknown said...

    Oh-no sweetie! I hope you get better soon. Being sick sucks.

    Especially when you still have to go go go!

    Feel better soon and sending you some ~~get well~~ vibes!

  14. Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

    Yes it is the hardest job ever. That is why I am so thankful to my dear wife and all she does. But come on the pay aint so bad. You get a nice place to live, all those cute times with the gremlins you made, etc. Oh Yeah get better soon.

  15. Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

    Fill the script it can't hurt.

  16. Hannah said...

    That sucks so bad!! I'm sorry :(

    I hope you get better fast.. and get your sleep!

  17. Anonymous said...

    Poor Jen! I am sorry that you are feeling so poorly.

    You are able to wake yourself up every three minutes?

    hee hee

    I won't tell you how long I take my cat naps for when I'm feeling under the weather.

    I put my 5-yr-old on pbskids.org and he's on auto pilot kid mode. It's sweet (and tempting to use on the non-sick days)!

    Let's be clear. None of you know me? None you have my address?

    Let's hope so!

  18. Ranch Girl said...

    I hope you feel better soon.

  19. Cheryl Lage said...

    Oh honey, hope you feel better soon...I tend to be like your husband, and not take off unless mandatory...BUT, if you are incapable of functioning (which it sounds like you are...) continuing to attempt to work is pointless for all.

    Feel better. SOON! :)

  20. Chris said...

    If you have a vaporizer try running it for a few hours at night. I put Vick Vapor liquid in mine. We have been fighting the crud around here too. Except everyone else gets to rest and recooperate but not me! There really is no sick time for moms. Feel better soon.

  21. April said...

    I'm a little under the weather this week also...hope you and I both feel better soon. My hubby is a family doc and we do not take antibiotics for a cold...only if it turns into a sinus infection.

  22. kel said...

    I hope you feel better. I have one word of advice for you tonight... NYQUIL.. it works wonders. (plus you'll have some crazy-ass dreams)

  23. McMommy said...

    I say...FILL THE PERSCRIPTION!! :)

    Also, I know you never get sick...but just in case there is a next time...as soon as you start to feel crappy, take Zicam. That stuff works WONDERS!!! Even if you do get sick, it's so mild and lasts like a day.

  24. Jenni said...

    I hope you filled that script, Jen!
    Don't mess around...knock that bug OUT!

  25. Mrs. Heck said...

    That was me last week. It sucks so much when we get sick b/c we being "everything" to our kids (and even our hubbies) we are expected to always be there and never be sick. I hope you get better soon. ♥

  26. jill jill bo bill said...

    Do what the doc scargosun said. Your personal nurse is telling you. Do you have drainage? If so, try some mucinex (OTC) and this stuff called NeilMed Sinus Rinse. It's gross, but it will cean you out and keep you from feeling so blah. Get well soon!!!! And it's okay to let the oldest stay home and help.

  27. Ali said...

    Saying a prayer that your health improves. I'm right there with ya - foggy head and runny nose. It never fails that I get a cold when the weather changes. Grrrr. This is what I get for wanting to live a simple life in the midwest!

  28. Tara R. said...

    I can sympathize, and I hope you are feeling better soon. But, really? Who takes care of Dr. Mom?

  29. iheartbowheads.blogspot.com said...

    Feel better soon!

    I highly recommend the tylenol products with cool burst - better living through chemistry I always say :)

    Holly

  30. Dawn said...

    It totally sucks being sick when you have small children. I really, really feel for you.

    I hope you get some good rest tonight.

    There is a new nose spray on the market made by Sudafed. It works wonderfully!!

  31. Tiffany said...

    Being a sick mom is the WORST! I know exactly how you feel and I only have ONE kid. I say get the antibiotics filled and TAKE THEM NOW! Get better soon!!

  32. Unknown said...

    Ugh, I'm so sorry! Get better soon!

    Also, I'm having a contest on my blog! Feel free to enter and you could win a Christmas ornament!

  33. Tasha said...

    Ugh. I hate getting sick. DH sucks at taking care of things, too. Feel better soon!

  34. Anonymous said...

    I saw a bumper sticker today that said 'You haven't worked full time until you're a mom' and thats the damn truth. I was out of commission last week, 3 days. Tony def doesn't ever take a sick day, but he even worked from home one day. I'm telling you-get that neti pot.

  35. Ann Harrison said...

    Oh Jen. I'm so sorry. It's just not fair, is it? We spend our days & nights taking care of our family but where is our version of ourselves when we need her?
    I wish I could bring you some relief.
    (((hug)))

  36. Rachel said...

    FILL IT! Think of it this way -- you'll have one less car ride to take sick . . .with a toddler.

    I second the vaporizer and as much sleep as possible. Anyone that can watch K for you? Even for a few hours?

  37. Candy said...

    I had this discussion with Tiff over at 4under3...Echinacea with goldenseal, Cold Eeze (or the generic equivalent),TONS of green tea, lots of fruits with Vitamin C (it acts as a natural antihistimine) and pomegranate or acai juice. Zola is my favorite brand of acai. Trust me, you'll be better REAL SOON. AND FILL THE PRESCRIPTION!!

    As for me, I'd rather have a whole house full of sick people than be sick myself!

  38. Anna Lefler said...

    YES! I couldn't agree more!

    Fantastic post title.

    AND I have such banner-envy. It's not pretty. (No, that banner's gorgeous! It's the envy that's not pretty.)

    Feel better soon!!

    XO

    Anna

  39. Abbi said...

    i really hope you feel better soon we all know it's against the law for mommies to get sick!! when we do, i work load seems to increase!! i hope you feel better!

  40. A Christian Mom said...

    You're right, we never get time off. It sucks. I hope you feel better soon! HUGS!

  41. Sarah said...

    Fill'er up! I didn't even bother to just try to wing it with the codiene earlier this year. I doubled up immediately. Who was he kidding? Wait? When I could be functioning? Yeah right!

  42. Unknown said...

    No.Thing.Worse.Than.Being.A.Sick.Mom. PERIOD.

    Get better....

  43. Amanda said...

    I think we all need to stop reading each other's blogs. Everyone is sick it seems. My house included - ALL of us. My husband's boss sent him home yesterday.

    As for the prescription, I'd fill it at the first sign of green snot. Pretty mental image, I know, but that's my antibiotic rule with the upper respiratory infections I get with my asthma.

  44. JenEverAfter said...

    Aww, feel better soon!

    P.S. - that's not really a blankie you got there. It's actually a massive pile of tissues that have accumulated on top of yourself. Just thought you'd like to know!

  45. MichelleB said...

    I was sick with a bad cold recently and it wasn't fun.

    But it was sweet because my kids made me chicken soup and hot chocolate. Then my hubby surprised me with a gorgeous diamond necklace he bought from www.idonowidont.com and I was a happy but sniffly mom.

    They all did the laundry which was a real treat!

  46. Stephanie said...

    Oh I hate it!!!! No matter who else gets sick in the house they always go to bed but not us...we have to take care of everyone else first and then still be up!!!

    Dayquil always works wonders...during the day and then Nyquil at night!!!

    Hope you're feeling better soon!!

    Hugs!

  47. April said...

    I am blessed that when I am sick, so are they. So not only do I feel like crap, but so do they and they whine and cling to me All.Day.Long.
    It's been a fun week.

  48. flickrlovr said...

    A friend was telling me all about the merits of NyQuil the other day...she's sick and says it makes her feel incredible-it never works for me though!

    I'm so sorry you're not feeling well. I can hardly take care of myself when I'm sick, being sick with kids to take care of too is one of the things I'm NOT looking forward to when I become a mom...eek!

    Feel better soon Jen!

  49. desi said...

    Hey Jen, I left you an award on my blog. Showing some love.

  50. mollybloom said...

    Hope you're better! :)

  51. Jamey said...

    I hope you are feeling better!

  52. Lisa said...

    Take extra meds for me - I'm on day 14 of this nasty crap and I would do about anything for a big ole' dose of Nyquil....but there is something about being pregnant that makes that not such a good idea.

    Seriously - hope you feel better soon. And if you figure out a solution to the whole mama sick situation, lemme know!

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