Sick Leave

Okay, I’ll admit it. I kind of like it when my kids are sick. Well, when the three-year-old is sick, anyway. (Nobody likes a sick baby.) I’m not talking about anything serious or drawn out and I’m certainly not talking about anything that involves the loss of bodily fluids. But a low-grade fever? And maybe a scratchy throat? C’mon, it’s not so bad.

Every once in a while it’s just nice to have a break from the chaos-inducing energy and activity levels. I tuck him into bed with some books or build a nest on the couch in the living room. I keep clear fluids and light snacks on hand and just hover while attending to some housekeeping. (I might even get some of those toys sorted properly!) I don’t have to worry about serving snacks and lunch at the appropriate time and happily graze through the day. He will sleep and sleep and I can almost remember what it was like having just one baby who napped for long stretches.

What’s best, though, is that none of the rules apply. I can let him watch tv all afternoon and neglect the jobs I am supposed to be doing. This is all without the shame and guilt I usually feel using the tv as a babysitter while I do something decidedly un-motherly. And while I love shoving on layers of clothing and cajoling the kid out the door to the park or the library — begging and pleading for him to come here now — as much as the next person, it’s nice to be allowed to stay home once in while. If I ever have a job, I can assure you that then I will really love having to stay home to nurse my sick child.

Alright, I’ll be honest. The truly best part is when his sister is napping and he wakes up. I sit beside him and he curls up under my arm. We read stories and I rub his head and hold him and cuddle him. My just being there, my physical presence, is all he needs at that moment. He’s my baby again, just for the day. Tomorrow he’ll be wreaking havoc all through the Junction again and I’ll love him for that, too. But for now, I kind of like it that he’s sick.

And should you ever wish to make your own child sick, I highly recommend this how-to by Three Times the Love.

Post script. The mild illness manifested itself into slick pools of vomit in the bedroom and all down the hall by bedtime. And now baby sister is waking up every half hour because of nasal congestion. Can I take it all back?

(Image courtesy of Clipart Guide.)