When a large family starts to show symptoms of a cold or flu, it’s just a matter of time before everyone is affected. At first, the caretaker manages the situation with empathy, suppressing any feelings of disgust to care for the sick. However, as more children fall ill, the atmosphere shifts dramatically.
Illness often begins with the youngest kids. They are still at that stage where everything goes into their mouths, and they love to share their goodies with friends. It always begins in the dead of night—a child approaches your bedside and says, “Mommy, my belly hurts.” Before you can fully wake up, they’re vomiting, which could end up anywhere from the floor to, unfortunately, your face. Either way, you’ll be cleaning up the mess in the dead of night. Just remember to breathe through your mouth.
In these moments, you may not enjoy any part of it, but you remain calm and collected. You reassure your little one, “It’s alright. Mommy’s right here. You’re going to be okay.” You clean up, grab some blankets, and settle in on the couch.
That’s the First Round
After a day or so of lying around and watching an endless stream of irritating cartoons, your youngest starts to feel better. Just in time for the older siblings to present their own symptoms: runny noses, coughs, and general malaise. You take each symptom in stride, doing your best to manage the situation. The cycle of illness progresses through the ranks of siblings. Tissues have turned into toilet paper, and the supply of popsicles and ginger ale is dwindling.
As the illness reaches the older tweens and teens, their immune systems are struggling, and they begin to whine, “I don’t feel so good.” When you suggest they see a doctor, they respond adamantly, “I’ll be fine.” Then the whining resumes. It becomes a frustrating cycle that tests your patience.
By the time the last child falls ill, sympathy is long gone. The child who wakes you up in the middle of the night to vomit now receives a less than sympathetic, “Seriously?!” instead of the initial comforting “It’s okay, sweetheart.” It’s tough being the last one to get sick in a big family.
Just last week, my 12-year-old daughter came home from school and approached me. I thought she was going in for a hug. Nope. She coughed right in my face and proclaimed, “I think I’ve got a fever.”
“Back away from me!” I exclaimed, pointing at the thermometer.
Though my patience may wear thin from lack of sleep, I’m grateful that our health issues can usually be resolved with a bit of time and some Tylenol. We’re fortunate, even if we’re crawling through a germ-infested battlefield.
For more insights on boosting fertility, check out this post on fertility supplements, which could be beneficial if you’re navigating your own family planning journey. Additionally, understanding the costs of pregnancy and care can be crucial, and you can find valuable information on that here. If you’re exploring options for insemination, this resource on IVF is also an excellent reference.
In summary, managing illness in a large family can be a rollercoaster of emotions, but amid the chaos, it’s essential to recognize the blessings that come with the challenges.