Parenting 101 – When My Kids Are Sick

There is nothing I hate more than when my kids are sick.  I loathe even the thought of it.  I think it’s because you can try to comfort them all you want but they’re still sick and it’s somewhat out of the parents’ control.  This past weekend my house was ‘cough central.’  On top of that, 2 out of 4 of my kids were spiking a temperature.  Needless to say, I didn’t get much rest.

“Daddy, can I have a drink of water?”  “Daddy, my tummy hurts I need ginger ale.”  “Daddy, I need a tissue.” This is what I heard at all hours, including 3am.  I lost count of the number of times I said, “Don’t sniff – blow your nose.”  I’m not denying they were sick, but at a certain point I have to wonder how much my kids were playing me.  If they were playing me, it concerns me because they are 3 and 5 and this doesn’t spell good things for their future. 

I think when my 5 year old said, “Daddy I still don’t feel well and I probably won’t until Thursday,” did I start to get less concerned and began pointing to their arms and legs and telling them to ‘get their own tissue.’  When they start requesting the afternoon movie it all comes into focus.  They’ve got it pretty good.  But, like a good dog, I fetched them everything they needed and stroked their hair.  I told them I was praying for them and that they would feel better.  Because let’s face it, I won’t feel better until they do.

FYI: The children in the pictures do not belong to me.  Have you ever pulled a ‘Ferris Bueller’ over on your parents?  Tell us about it on Facebook.