As I write this, I have just spent the last ten days along with my kids, sick as a dog. It has been ten days of hell, the kind of days where you slide from ‘thriving single mom’ back into barely surviving. And yet, finally, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. So far today, we have all been fever-free. It looks like I might live to see the outside of my home once more.
If you are going through it right now, just hang in there. Your kids are so lucky to have you and you are so much stronger than you know. I know how much weight is on your shoulders right now and how horrible you feel, but you will get through it and you and your kids will have an even tighter bond on the other side.
Pick Up and Delivery Services
Grocery Store
If you are not already using it in your every-day life, now is the time to use grocery delivery or pickup. This way you don’t even have to get anyone out of the car and you are not exposing anyone else to your illness. Grocery delivery is obviously more convenient, but if you are like me and don’t have extra cash lying around to pay for grocery delivery service charges, most grocery stores now provide grocery pickup. I did this just the other day and made sure to load my online cart up with Pedialyte and children’s Tylenol while I was at it. It was completely free and though it was slightly inconvenient to load the kids in the car, it was a quick trip and we were back home within about ten minutes.
Pharmacy
Additionally, I got a prescription from a doctor during this illness and immediately got a text from my pharmacy asking if I wanted to have my medication delivered to my house. Now, if you know anything about me, you should know I am not very technologically advanced and I also live in a very small town in the middle of nowhere. If this service is available to me, it is most certainly available to you as well. In fact, you can even be seen by a doctor virtually and have the medication delivered to your doorstep afterward. The entire process can now be done without ever having to leave your home.
What To Do With Your Kids
Ask Your Kids for Help
If you are sick, but your kids are not, ask them for help! It is amazing what kids of any age are capable of when they have enough information. Even my three-year-old Layla can be extremely helpful when she is motivated to be. I simply tell her I am not feeling well and ask her if she is willing to be my helper. She is more than happy to help by handing me things, cleaning up her mess, or even just allowing me to have a quiet minute when she knows that I need that because I am sick. If your kids are even older, they can be incredibly receptive to the fact that even moms need a little assistance now and again.
Create a “Safe Room”
This is my tip for when you are really in the thick of it with little kids. Those times when you just have to rest, but have no other options. Find a room in the house that is child-proofed where nobody can get into too much trouble. Bring the whole family into the same room, put a blanket down on the floor and lay down so that your body is blocking the door. The kids can lay down with you or roam around the safe room and play. I have done this one more times than I can count. Though it’s not always the most restful situation and sometimes there are small children climbing on you, there are times when you just have to do what you have to do. And at least this way you know your kids are safe.
Prioritize Rest
Let the House Be Messy
Now is not the time to worry about the condition of your house. It is just you and your kids, there is nobody to impress. If you are too unwell to stay up on routine cleaning, just let it go. There will be plenty of time when you feel well to get caught back up. Right now you need to prioritize yourself and your rest, even if that means just sitting on the couch and allowing the laundry to pile up.
Get Enough Sleep
Take every opportunity to sleep. This reminds me of when the girls were infants and the old saying was “sleep when the baby sleeps”. It is kind of the same thing though. Seriously, get in bed when you have the chance and don’t worry about the little things. All those little things you think can’t wait, absolutely can. If you are not properly rested, you are not going to be able to get well. It is worth sacrificing a few hours of whatever you feel you need to do to get better and get back to it. If you are not allowing for proper rest, there is a good chance you are just going to prolong your illness that much longer.
Ask For Help
Make Your Needs Known
I listed a lot of tips for if/when nobody is around to help. If you do have friends, family, or even coworkers who are able and willing to help you, please take them up on it when you need it. If you have a need, whether it be someone to watch the kids while you go to the doctor or for someone to drop off diapers or medicine, please make it known! Sometimes it can be difficult for others to anticipate what you need, especially if you are someone who rarely asks for help.
You Don’t Need to Do It All By Yourself
People want to help you more than you know. It helps those that love and care about you and your kids to feel better about themselves, knowing that they are a positive influence in your life. And life is meant to be lived communally. I know that you have probably been let down by others in the past, but give people a chance. The point of life is not to see how much you can handle on your own before you reach your breaking point. So please reach out. Even no-contact help such as dropping off groceries or medicine or even just talking on the phone can be extremely beneficial to everyone.
Final Thoughts
Being sick is the worst. Being sick as a single mom, especially when your kids are also sick, is a special kind of hell. But as hard as it is in the moment, just remember you will get through it. You have gone through so much more already. I hope you can use one or more of my tips and remember to speak up and let your loved ones know how they can help you out. Most importantly, know you are not alone. We are united in the struggle as single mothers, but we will get through this and keep on flourishing! Feel better soon!
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