Updated: June 13, 2017
Originally Published: June 12, 2017
Moms will go to great lengths for their children. From navigating the minivan like a pro while shuttling kids to activities, to managing the family schedule with military precision, we run a tight ship. Our goal is to be present for every significant moment in our children’s lives and to ensure they feel supported. We often exhaust ourselves day in and day out to provide our families with the best we can offer.
One surprising aspect of motherhood is the absence of sick days. I learned this lesson the hard way shortly after my daughter was born. One evening, I found myself on the bathroom floor, battling a stomach virus while my baby cried for a feeding. It quickly became clear that there was no time off for moms, even when we’re feeling our worst.
I accepted this reality and pushed through countless illnesses over the years. I convinced myself that my family couldn’t manage without me, often joking that the whole household would crumble if I stepped away. I attended school events while under the influence of cold medicine, all while trying not to embarrass myself in front of other parents.
But everything changed one fateful day in the school parking lot.
I had just returned from a work trip and had performed logistical acrobatics to attend my son’s school performance. He had a speaking role, and I was determined to support him. My mom guilt was at an all-time high after being away for a week, and I was determined not to let anything slip through the cracks.
As I hurried through the airport, I felt a familiar rattle in my stomach that made me question my lunch choices. I dismissed the rising nausea, collected my suitcase, and headed home. Once there, I attributed my dizziness to travel exhaustion, ignoring the signs my body was sending me. After tucking the kids into bed, I collapsed with chills and an overwhelming sense of dread.
Then it happened: the vomiting and, soon after, the other. In a chaotic turn of events, both decided to strike simultaneously. It was a downward spiral from that moment forward.
With my family dog looking at me expectantly, I lay on the couch, frustrated that a stomach bug chose this exact moment to strike. I tried to convince myself I could tough it out; my son’s performance was only an hour and a half long. Surely, I could down some Pepto-Bismol and make it through. He needed me.
As we drove to the school, my son excitedly shared his lines and costume details. But as soon as we parked, I lunged forward and lost my lunch on the grass. There I was, on my hands and knees, shouting encouragements between heaves. “Break a leg!” I managed to call out while my stomach emptied onto the ground. I still refused to admit defeat.
After all, I’d just thrown up—surely I was in the clear for a bit, right? Wrong. My stomach quickly made it clear that it couldn’t hold on any longer. Sweaty and doubled over, I faced a dilemma: the pressure was building, and I had to make a choice.
As I attempted to relieve some pressure, I made the grave error of trusting a fart. Let me tell you: never trust a fart. In an instant, I regretted that decision as I realized it wasn’t just air escaping.
In a moment of sheer horror, I stood there, feeling the warmth of my unfortunate accident seeping down my leg. I had hit a new low in motherhood. As I used what few wipes I had to clean up, I confronted the reality that I had ignored my body’s signals. Now, I was missing my son’s big moment because no one wants to be the mom who shows up smelling like… well, you know.
In my quest to be everything to everyone, I had lost my composure. It was humiliating, yet strangely humbling. Looking back, that moment helped me realize I didn’t have to be Super Mom all the time. I decided then and there that it was acceptable to be the “world’s okayest mom.” I needed to take breaks and recognize when to ask for help.
Sometimes, you need to admit that you can’t do it all, especially when you’re on the verge of losing your lunch—again.
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In summary, we all have moments of weakness, but it’s important to recognize when we need to take a step back and care for ourselves.