I Think They Call It a Phobia

Well, I think it’s pretty clear from yesterday’s post that I am no candidate for Mother of the Year.

I guess I wouldn’t be up for Nursemaid of the Year, either. Yesterday my family let me know, in no uncertain terms, that when someone is sick around here, I’m not . . . how shall we put it? . . . the most compassionate person in the house.

B was sick yesterday. He probably takes one sick day a year, and yesterday was it. He has had a terrible cold for well over a week (and does he go to the doctor as his loving wife would suggest? Hmmmmm? No. But I digress.), but the worst part was that he put his back out on Monday. So he not only was dealing with a pretty nasty, hacking cough, but also experiencing back pain every time he coughed up a lung, which is how it sounded.

Let’s just say the guy was a mess.

So I did what every good nursemaid should do. I went upstairs to check on him. A couple of times. I patted his leg and asked if he needed anything. I administered ibuprofin. I brought lunch.

But did I hang around? No sirree. I have a thing about being around sick people. Let’s just say it’s hard for me.

B does not understand this, though, because later in the evening he and the girls ganged up on me. They all stood around the kitchen telling “Mom” stories about how I’ve let them down MORE THAN ONCE when they’ve been sick.

Apparently B needed a little more nurturing.

And Maggie just had to bring up that time last year when she woke up not feeling well, but I made her go to school anyway. (My sister was visiting and we had places to go. Don’t judge.) But before I could make my escape, the school nurse called to inform me that Maggie had a 103 degree fever and could I please come pick her up.

Oh all right, if I have to.

Oh sure, they all got such a kick out of pointing out how I basically dumped poor Maggie in the basement in front of the T.V. and told her we’d be back later. Her little 103 fever was not going to stop me from having fun with my sister.

Looking back on it now, I do kind of wonder what I was thinking. As, apparently, my family was even on that day because they just laughed and laughed about how I’m not very good at taking care of my family when they’re sick.

But really? What do they want me to do? Hang out with them? Hold their hand? Sit there and watch T.V. while they sleep? I mean, being with sick people can be dangerous. I could get sick myself. . .

. . . and then who would take care of everyone?

So I want to know . . . what kind of nursemaid are you? How do you handle things when your kids (or your husband) get sick? Please tell me I'm normal!