A Sickly Child

So my youngest is sick.  Again.

As a mother I worry, I have compassion, I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and cuddle her until whatever random virus she has is gone.

As the mother of a child that gets sick a lot, I think I’ve done something wrong.  Am I not keeping our home germ free?  Is there something wrong with our daycare?  Is there something wrong with our child?

As a working mother I feel frustrated.  Why is she sick AGAIN?  Is she really sick enough that she needs to stay home?  If I send her to daycare will I be that mom?  I can’t miss anymore work, I’ve already fallen behind.

All three are a part of me, all three fight for dominance, and no… they can’t just get along.

Finding balance is something all parents struggle with.  Not one of those mothers is completely right, not one of those mothers is completely wrong.  They all have a voice.  A voice that is valid, and a voice that should be listened to.  Mothers of today, parents of today, have to wear many hats.  I’ve only got one head.  Most people I know only have one head.  How is this supposed to work?

I don’t have the answers, and no one else does.  We just do the best we can with what we’ve got.  For now, it is time to put away the computer and cuddle my baby.  I’ll worry about those other mothers later.

photo credit: “Virus” by Laura Billings licensed under CC BY 4.0