Hey friend,
If it feels like someone in your house has been sick every week lately… same 😭
We’ve been going on three weeks straight of coughs, runny noses, fevers, and long nights.
That also means:
- I haven’t worked out in weeks
- Meal prep? Not happening
- Missed volunteering at my son’s school
- And honestly… this month has felt off
But here’s the thing...just because life isn’t going according to plan doesn’t mean we have to let it completely knock us down.
You can still be productive without pushing yourself into exhaustion.
And sometimes, that means redefining what “productive” even looks like.
Here’s what’s been helping me (and might help you too) when you’re parenting through the sick days...even when you’re the sick one:
💛 1. Lower the bar — seriously.
Now is not the time to aim for “thriving Pinterest mom.” Stick to the basics: clean-ish dishes, kids fed, and everyone in pajamas that aren’t crusty. That’s enough.
💛 2. Prioritize rest — you don’t have to earn it.
I know it feels impossible to slow down when you’re the default parent, but rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a survival tool, aka a necessity! Curl up with your kids for a movie marathon and call it connection time.
💛 3. Find easy wins.
A quick tidy-up of one room, throwing a frozen meal in the oven, or sitting outside for five minutes of fresh air can help you feel human again.
💛 4. Ask for (or accept) help.
If someone offers to drop off soup or take your kid to school, say yes. You don’t get bonus points for doing it all yourself. And I can promise you, you sure won't feel better when you're fighting off a cold and overworking yourself throughout the day.
💛 5. Keep it simple when the kids are sick.
If your little ones aren’t feeling great and you don’t have the energy to pack up and head to the doctor, one thing that’s been a lifesaver for us is Blueberry Pediatrics.
It’s an affordable app that lets you chat with a pediatrician from home: day or night. You can send photos, get medical advice, and skip the waiting room (which, let’s be real, probably has more germs anyway). We always turn to Blueberry Pediatrics at least 2-3 times every fall, and I don't know what we'd do without it.
At the end of the day, you need to remember, you’re still a good mom even when you’re not doing all the things.
You’re allowed to slow down, to rest, and to be sick without the guilt. Getting sick is out of your hands, so don't beat yourself up over it.
Sending love (and hoping your house is germ-free),
P.S. — If you need a laugh, go watch my latest reel about “parenting while sick.” Because if we can’t laugh about it… We might just cry 😅
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“You are enough, just as you are. You are doing an amazing job, even when it feels like you aren’t.”
— MamaZenApp