The 6 Stages of a Sick Kiddo
Jeez, I have had a long week, folks. It started Monday with a questionable cough, got confirmed Tuesday with a chest x-ray, and now it’s Friday (right?) and I feel like we’re coming out of a pneumonia fog. For a little comedic relief, I’ve come up with my list of 6 stages of having a sick kiddo. I’m in between numbers 5 and 6 right now.
1) Suspicion
Was that nap a little too long? Do those eyes look a little lazy? Was that a cough from a bad swallow or something more? Your mother intuition is on red alert now.
2) Preparation
Ibruprofen – check.
Popsicles – check.
A thermometer that is actually working- check.
Humidifier – check.
3) Acceptance
With one look at their glazed-over-eyes and a cheek to the forehead, you know it’s ON.
4) Lockdown
Plans are canceled. Pajamas stay on. Any sort of screen time rules you may have go out the window. Nothing but snuggles and Octonauts are on the horizon.
5) Isolation
By the short spurts of manic behavior, you know your patient is on the mend, but not quite ready to get back on schedule. This is the most frustrating stage. You’re still in seclusion, but their tv marathon brain is starting to show and they know if they’ll just whine long enough, you’ll go ahead and give them another popsicle. You think their fever is gone, but it’ll rear its ugly head again if you try to skip a dose of ibruprofen. And just when you think “your number is up kid – school tomorrow” they’ll have a relapse in the middle of the night. Why is it always in the middle of the night?
6) Liberation
Like a momma bear and her cub coming out of a long winter’s nap, your child will wake up and you just know they’re better. Finally you can resume life with a little extra appreciation for it.
