I want to start by saying that I realize how blessed I am to be able to stay at home with my kids. I know that there are many parents who would like to have that option, but don't. I know I am lucky that I get to put my two-year-old down for a nap and then watch Young and the Restless while I fold laundry. I know that most working parents don't get to wear sweatpants all day. I get to see my kids' first steps, hear their first words and rejoice when they finally go on the potty. I like that I can hang out with my friends and call it a playdate for our kids. My meetings involve building Lego starships and playing Pretty Pretty Princess. I know all of this. And I really do feel blessed.
Except when I'm sick.
When I'm sick I just want to curl up in my bed and sleep. I want to watch TV all day long with no interruptions. I'd watch things I would never normally take the time to watch, like the Kardashians and Bridezillas. I want to feel sorry for myself and mope around the house. I want to eat soup and not share it with anyone. I want to sit. Just sit.
Staying at home means there are no sick days. There is no PTO. No vacation accrued each month. I'm not sick enough to ask my husband to stay home from work. And even if I were, it's awfully hard to ask him to give up one of his precious days off to cover for me.
So, there will be no curling up in bed. There will be no soup. There will be no sitting. There might watching TV all day (although, instead of trashy TV, it will be Clifford the Big Red Dog and Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That). And there will be plenty of feeling sorry for myself. But just for today.
