When Mama Gets Sick

A while back, I was hit by a horrible migraine. I could feel it building throughout the day but ignored it for too long. By dinnertime, I was a wreck. I knew from past experience that I needed to take the full-strength meds that would relieve the headache but also make me unable to function at my best for the next 18 hours or so.

Not function, as in, lay on the couch and do nothing.

Unfortunately, my husband was also away on business at the same time. I don't take that kind of medication lightly and knew that I'd need a plan to keep my kids safe and occupied until the medication wore off.

Fortunately, I had a babysitter that night because I was supposed to be taking my three big kids to Bible Study Fellowship . While she took care of the kids, getting them all ready for bed and all the Mary Poppins-like things she does, I was able to crawl into bed and wait for the pain to pass.

Before my brain got too fuzzy, I quickly thought out a plan for the next day, which included:

•Cereal and toast for breakfast, which my 6, 8, and 10 year old can manage on their own.

•Pulling out the Magic School Bus DVDs that I had squirreled away for just such occasions.

•Generous use of the play yard for the two youngest kids.

•A lot of grace for a sick mama.

W use this play yard every. single. day. This particular little guy likes to unload the dishwasher while we are loading it, which is why he was inside playing with his train when I took this picture.

I know that I am not the only one that occasionally is hit unaware by illness. Kendra has written before about homeschooling through difficult pregnancies. Others of you are dealing with chronic illness. It is so important that we not make the situation worse by getting down on ourselves about what we're not accomplishing. Rest. Breathe deep. You are not alone.

-Michele

---