The true test of endurance comes when you find yourself feeding your child while feeling nauseous.
Written by Jamie A. Carter
April 14, 2022
Image by Dusan Atlagic/E+/Getty Images
Caring for sick children is challenging enough, but when you’re also unwell, it takes the struggle to a whole new realm. Imagine trying to breastfeed a toddler while battling nausea; it’s a level of fatigue and frustration that many parents have faced, especially in the last couple of years.
Our family doesn’t frequently fall ill, but illnesses sometimes find their way home from my partner’s workplace. Despite our best efforts, we all contracted Covid-19, and it left us reeling for almost an entire month.
I had dealt with minor illnesses with my kids before, but nothing prepared me for the overwhelming chaos that Covid brought. Each family member fell sick one after another, with my youngest being the last to succumb. And let me tell you, he was quite the trooper. The three-year-old, however, brought a different set of challenges.
He got sick a day before I did, and I started off strong, showing all the compassion a mom could muster. But by the second day, as I felt the effects of the virus myself, managing his cranky moods alongside my own became a Herculean task. Have you ever tried to breastfeed while feeling the urge to vomit? I have, and it’s definitely not enjoyable. My son typically nurses at night, and thankfully the worst of my sickness had passed by then. However, he was more demanding than usual due to his own illness, particularly during those long, uncomfortable nights.
My partner and I attempted to balance responsibilities, stepping in for each other as needed. Despite our teamwork, both of us had to take time off, and as I’m self-employed, I’m still struggling to regain my previous productivity levels. The aftermath of that illness has left me feeling exhausted, a state I can only describe as a return to survival mode—much like those early days of parenthood. We ended up binge-watching movies for a week straight, disregarding our usual screen time limits. The house fell into disarray since neither of us felt up to cleaning, and we resorted to using grocery bags as makeshift trash bins for used tissues while cuddled under blankets on the couch.
We were all just trying to rest and recover as best we could, and that’s perfectly fine. Exhaustion is a real struggle, but sometimes all you can do is your best.
Jamie A. Carter spends her days navigating her children’s moods with laughter and creativity, often encouraging spontaneous dance parties as a form of exercise. She’s been writing since childhood and specializes in topics related to motherhood, history, and fiction. You can explore more of her work at Home Insemination.
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In summary, parenting while sick presents an entirely new level of challenges that test a parent’s endurance and resilience. Whether it’s caring for a sick child or managing your own illness, the experience can be overwhelming yet ultimately showcases the strength of parental love. For those seeking guidance on home insemination, this resource provides valuable insights, along with useful information on pregnancy.
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