A Working Mom Gets a (Non-) Breather

Work Wednesday

The fantasy: A mid-week day off from work when I don't have anything pressing, there's no one in the house but me, and I stay in my pajamas and slippers all day. I putter around the house, savor my latest book club read (currently, The Help by Kathryn Stockett), and complete long-delayed creative projects.  And nap.

The reality:  A mid-week day off from work when I have too much to do, there's no one in the house but me, and I stay in my pajamas and slippers all day.  But instead of puttering around, I'm lying in bed.  My head aches, my throat's scratchy, and each time I breathe there are sound effects.  The jammies are the only link to the fantasy.  Oh, and the nap. 

Now, ordinarily I love napping. Napping is a great luxury, a restorative indulgence, a rare treat.

But napping when you're stuffed up, hyped up, and bundled up isn't all that much fun. I stayed in bed much of yesterday in a half-asleep, half-awake state, wishing I were somewhere else. 

At least, I don't have the swine flu.  (We managed to secure H1N1 vaccinations last week by traveling out-of-state in the early morning to a shot clinic.)  Just a cold.  A not-so-bad one.  But because I have asthma (my turning 40 birthday "gift"), my colds often descend into something much worse. This time round, my doctor's confirmed that I'm going down the slide.  Quickly.

Fortunately, I don't have to worry too much because I have health insurance. (And hopefully, everyone in America will soon. Without the anti-choice Stupak amendment dictated by the Catholic Church and its allies.) And, unlike tens of millions of American workers in the private sector, I have paid sick leave. (More benefits of public service!) Which, I'm allowed to use when I'm sick without any penalty, waiting period, or reprimand.  (Sounds obvious, but it isn't for Walmart and many other companies.) Or when an immediate family member is ill. (Of course, if we can't get second doses of the H1N1 vaccine for the kids, I may have no paid sick leave left at all.)

And I'm not taking care of a sick kid.  Or a well-kid.  Or any kid. Both of my children are at school, child care, after care, play dates, with daddy - basically, away from me, and away from my germs.  We're blowing kisses and hugs at each other from a respectful distance.

Still, being sick makes me feel vulnerable. Not just in terms of my health but in terms of our lifestyle.  Our busy two-working parents-two-young-children formula requires energetic and active adults. But right now, I'm the opposite:  sluggish and apathetic. I'm ignoring all the non-urgent messages on my Blackberry and tuning out all the work and family events coming up on the calendar. I actually allowed my daughter to buy lunch from the school cafeteria yesterday even though something called "Chips Ole" was featured on the menu, and I didn't object to my husband's frozen pizza and leftover Halloween candy dinner. Just thinking about it all, though, makes my head hurt more.

Maybe it's time for another nap . . . .

Photo via Dowbiggin on Flickr.com.

Comments

[Miriam]

Stacy, you do an amazing job of depicting the challenges of being a working mom! I totally relate to this one: Since the pneumonia I had during my last finals period prior to college graduation, I realize I always get sick when I need a breather. My body--and yours--is trying to tell you something when you are sick for a precious day off.

[Marie]

Wonderful explanation of being ill when a working mom. I find myself wishing for that day off, then I get it because I'm sick, and I want to be back at work. Get better soon!

[Elena]

I had my weekday at home, no-kids-for-2-and-3/4-hours-fantasy shot down today when Vanessa couldn't go to preschool because she's sick! I hope you get better soon!

[Amanda]

I feel for you! We're fighting this battle in our house this week, but with swine flu. It's so hard to actually rest and not just do a "little work" or just make dinner real quick, isn't it? Feel better!