I am a strong supporter and advocate of public schooling. I realize that there are bad public school systems and I have been appalled to read horror stories about what has happened to some public schools, especially in the U.S. However, our school board and our school in particular are absolutely wonderful. I love the school. They took me seriously any time I had some things to discuss – when Hayley had trouble adjusting in her first year, they didn’t write me off as a hysterical first time school mom, nor did they blow me off when there were issues with another kid this year. The principal and the teachers are all incredible.
However, there is a huge drawback to having her go to school – ANY school. And that is the germ exposure. Oh my god. Hayley has been sick several times this school year and it’s only November. George has been sick for the past three weeks and I swear that in ten years together I have never seen him so sick in my life. Breanna went through almost a week of not sleeping well because she couldn’t breathe through her nose and the humidifier only did so much to help.
And now there is me. I’ve been in denial but I can feel it. I have a constant need to cough, and no matter how much I ignore it and don’t cough, that need doesn’t go away. When I do give in and cough, my chest hurts. Sometimes I feel like there must be an elephant sitting on my lungs. I’m tired beyond the usual I-went-to-bed-too-late tired. I know it’s coming and it’s coming fast. It worries me because I don’t have time to be sick. I have kids to take care of, housework to try to deal with, work to do… I have no time for illness of my own. I keep thinking about how George started with a cough too and now he’s on antibiotics that look like horse pills and could hardly get out of bed for a week straight.
Never mind the fact that I spoke to one of my friends outside the school today, and asked her if they had been sick since I hadn’t seen her or the two kids all of last week. The older boy had a horrible cough that kept him home all week and the younger one is still out for another full week because of pneumonia.
There are some serious germs going around our school and our community this year and they aren’t playing games with us. It sucks because I’m hoping to get a flu shot this year but I don’t want to get one while I’m under the weather.
Anyone have any good, strong chicken soup?
(I swear, I’ll get Halloween photos up soon!)
I totally hear ya, Since my 3 year old started preschool in the fall, we have had one cold after another. My almost 2 year old seems to be the one that has been hit the hardest. She was prescribed an asthma pump since apparently docs are no long fond of cold meds for kids under 4. Who knew!
Drink lots of OJ or get some vitamin c, stay hydrated and I hope you feel better soon!
Hi Sherry,
I really enjoy your blog. I watched an author named Christopher Flett on the Today Show, he wrote a book called “What Men Don’t Tell Women About Business” and it shares secrets for women working in business. I thought you might enjoy hearing about him. There could be some great content in their for future posts.
Keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
Bihter
Hope you feel better soon. I think I depleted my entire sick leave balance my first year here because Matthew seemed genetically attracted to anything germy during HIS first year in daycare. These kids.
caseys last blog post..baby babble.
Casey – I know! It’s just not right. I should have fulfilled my quota of colds and flus and whatnot when *I* was a kid, and now I get to enjoy them again.
Why is it that kids generally hate to share but they’re happy to share every virus they come across?!
There are some bad germs going around. When I went to vote today all the poll workers were coughing, I hope I don’t get sick and I really hope my little guy who is only 8 weeks old doesn’t catch something at daycare.
Kristyns last blog post..Wish me luck!
Memories of the old days when I cursed those who would send their sick kids to school so they could go to work. Of course they would get called later in the day and have to pick them up and take them home … but by then the damage was done and the germs were spread. Selfish creatures.
Hi Sherry,
The author, Christopher Flett, was featured in the NY Times regarding women keeping their careers on track while having their family. His book, “What Men Don’t Tell Women About Business” was sold out at the Barnes and Noble I went to so I ordered it at Amazon. I read a lot of blogs and he seems to be popular.
I wish someone would interview him about how to stay OFF the mommy track. Why don’t you interview him and post it on your blog? I saw that he was a guest commentator on “the Juggle” (Wall Street Journal). His email listed there was chris@ghostceo.com I checked out his website and it looks pretty good.
Anyway, keep up the great toics.
Best,
Bihter.