Being sick as a parent is the absolute worst!

Being sick is never fun at any age, but when you’re a parent with a house filled with children to feed, it is the absolute worst.

As parents, we tend to be the worst type of patients, unable to stay still, knowing how much housework there is to be done, knowing food needs to be cooked and often unable to trust the other family members to take over our duties. We just can’t seem to be able to rest knowing all of the things a parent needs to do. Rest is something we gave up long ago, and it feels weird to us.

Being sick as a parent feels more like a nuisance when there are kids that need our help putting on shoes, studying, getting to soccer practice on time and so forth. How is it possible that we are able to rest when we have been conditioned to sacrifice, and that sacrifice means putting the needs of our family before our own? Rest and relaxation is something of the past, or what we dream of when they finish the HSC or go off to boarding school. Life does not stop when mum or dad isn’t feeling well. As we all know, there is no ‘day off’ from being a parent.

We are not Superman or Wonder Woman

Being sick is the only time we are slightly willing to accept that we are not Superman or Wonder Woman. It is the only time as parents we are allowed to put our guard down and that is if it is only 100% necessary. So what can we do? This is a time where we can take this as an opportunity to teach your children empathy. Mums and Dads are not robots so it’s okay for our children to see our vulnerable side. You may be surprised how much they’ll love taking care of you and jump at the chance to feel ‘in charge’ and enjoy the extra cuddles they can give you. It may give young teenagers a chance to show just what they are capable of (we can only hope), and give back to us for a change. Sometimes, just sometimes, role reversal can be wonderful if we let it be.

But, if our children are taking care of us, just remember to not let them get too close. It is one thing when a parent is down and out, but when a parent AND a child are in the same boat together, hell just isn’t hot enough for the two of you. So no one needs to be told twice, keep your germs to yourself. Wash your hands, make hand sanitiser your new best friend, and no cup or cutlery sharing. If your kids need help bathing, have your partner take care of this. And with your teenagers, ask if they can prepare their own meals as a one-off. It will help them into adulthood.

Being sick as a single parent has slightly more disadvantages. So this is the time to put your hand up and ask for help. As parents we don’t like admitting that we can struggle sometimes, handing the reins to someone else can be challenging. We know exactly how the kids like their peanut butter on their sandwiches, and which child eats their apples with the skin on or off. So it’s hard to ask someone to step in and do your job. But it’s important to not feel ashamed, and remember just how many times you have offered to help someone else when they’re sick in bed. It’s okay to say yes to help.

It's okay to break the routine

As parents, we are bound to a routine. Kids bathed by six, walk the dog every morning, homework finished before dinner time. When you’re sick, the number one task is to ensure you start to feel better. So for a few days, let it be okay if the routine gets messed up a bit. Let there be pizza for dinner this one time, don’t worry how long the children watch the television for, it will be okay because soon enough you’ll be back in control wishing someone would bring you a cuppa in bed again.

So when you’re under the weather parents, as horrid as it is, it is not your fault. We are human and we aren’t immune to germs. So give yourself a break, put your hand up, rest, and the world won’t fall apart without you.

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