In sickness and in health...part 2.

For those of your out there who aren't parents, let me warn you...

One of the toughest things about being a parent is having a sick child...it's probably what I struggle with the most. Drew rarely gets sick, but when he does, his symptoms are usually in the grey area that leave me wondering if I should call the doctor or take him in for a visit. I don't want to be one of those crazy hypochondriac moms, but I don't want to be trying to have a normal day if Drew should really NEED medical attention.

At least with myself at my age, I've been through enough illness cycles that I pretty much can evaluate my own sickness, and usually only go to the doctors if I need antibiotics.

Being a mom, I often get torn between work and family obligations. I need to learn that it's ok to take off work to care for Drew if he's sick. I know my job isn't that important, but I'm often made to feell like unless there is a situation involving an ER or a family funeral, that I need to be at work.

I'm actually at home right now. Shortly after Drew woke up, he complained of his tummy hurting and spent most of 30-45 minutes hunched over and crying in pain. I know there is alot of intestinal stuff going around, and I was off Friday for what I thought was food poisoning. However, after that short period of time, Drew stood up and delcared that his tummy was all better, and he's been running around wreaking havoc ever since. I had such a dilemma...

1. What if I took him to be with my stepmom at close to normal time and at some point in the day, what if the stomach thing came back?? Then wouldn't I feel like crap!

2. What if I committed to stay home and "ride it out..." only to have an entire day pass without any more incident?? Then wouldn't I feel like crap, knowing that I was just off Friday for an actual illnesses!

I compromised at half a day. The nurses said that if the morning came and went and there were no more cramping incidents, that it was probably just a gas thing, and that otherwise, if if were this stomach bug, there would have been some vomiting or diarrhea already. They also mentioned the possibility of appendicitis, but if that were the case, he would not have the ability to hop around on one foot. He can, that's for sure!

It just kills me that everytime an urgency pops up in my life that keeps me from being at work, my first thought is always making sure that the facility is covered. I remember the morning that my grandfather passed away, I spent the better part of the day lining up people to work in my place while I was off. That bothers me, because all I do is run a college fitness center, it's not like I'm a neurosurgeon or anything...

I guess if anything, mornings like this remind me that maybe I really do need to start looking for another job. I can handle office work, but supervising a facility is getting old...especially as Drew gets older and gets involved in more things. I don't want to miss out on special moments with him...I'd love to be able to make a phonecall and tell someone..."hey, I'm going to telework today...see you tomorrow..."