Monday, August 18, 2008

Sick day

My baby is fighting round 2 of the daycare crud right now. Poor thing is a snot machine as evidenced by her glistening nostril above. Last night was a rough one, she was up multiple times. This morning I got up to get ready for work and she was sleeping so peacefully. At 7:30 she was still out and I just hated to wake her up and then rush her to get ready for daycare. No one likes to rush when they aren't feeling well. I had been wrestling all morning with the decision to send her to daycare or not. I decided not... Tough call especially since I am still on orientation with my new job. I don't want to set a bad example. My Mom had plans today and the only other potential babysitter we have has a 10 month old and I wouldn't want to subject her to the fountain of drainage that continues to spill out of Abby's nose. SO I called out.

Once she did wake up, she was okay just real congested. I figured I would get some good rest out of her today. Not so much tho. She took only one two hour nap. The rest of the day was a tough one. It was like she had two personalities. One minute happy and the next minute she was in melt down mode. This went on pretty much all day. Normally she doesn't go to bed until 9:00 PM or 9:30 PM but tonight after one melt down too many I had her in bed by 8:00 PM. She was out in ten minutes flat. Poor thing. I hope she rests well tonight. She has to go to daycare tomorrow.

Now that she is in bed and quite I have had time to reflect on our day. It was tough for sure. This would be the instance where I would have to say that being a single parent can be hard. There is not anyone to pick up the slack. Just you and your child all day and all night. When she is cranky there is no escaping it. I'm not complaining mind you, just trying to put my thoughts to words. I just feel like we overall did not have a good day and that makes me feel like I failed her somehow. It's a crappy feeling.

14 comments:

Eliza2006 said...

The end of the summer has felt tough due to the 24/7 schedule without much of a break. I feel for you. It's not always easy.

Tiffany

Anonymous said...

Any working mother knows what you are going through. Having a husband does not mean you will get the help you need. They will go to work no matter what the crisis is at home. You have to be strong and do the best you can do.

Anonymous said...

You DID NOT FAIL HER. You kept her home with you. If she was that miserable, she would have been worse at daycare. Getting her to bed early, addressing her needs throughout the day is tough. Really tough. Poor Abby didn't feel well and you took care of her.

I knew you would be a great mom.

Good luck today

Love,
Aunt Debbie

Kim said...

You didn't fail her..
She will have just as much LOVE with just one parent as she would with two..
This is coming from a mom who was single for the youngest part of my kids years.. and they have turned out GREAT..
SOrry to hear Abby was sick.. She is still sooo beautiful sick..
Hope today is better..
Hugs..

~ Alison said...

I know exactly what you're talking about. Mom guilt is the worst. I'm sure you didn't fail her, but its hard not to feel like that.

Mali was always a total BEAR when sick & it took me a few months to realize that it was the cold meds I was giving her that were fueling the insanity (oooppps! - talk about feeling guilty). We switched to herbal remedies after that & she was muuuucccch better!

You learn as you go. Hope Abby feels better soon!!

RamblingMother said...

Hope she is feeling better today. Yes it is def the most difficult time to being a single mom.

Anonymous said...

abby is so cute even when she is sick i miss u guys

Donna said...

Sorry your baby has been sick...it is tough to send them off to daycare when they're not feeling well...no one blames you for staying home to take care of her!

On the positive side, Abby's building up her immune system. Emma was constantly sick her first year of daycare...now, I can't even remember the last time she missed school because of illness!

daisy said...

Jenny, your job is to love and nurture your daughter. You can NEVER make her happy all the time, nor should you try. Your job is to love and protect her and help her understand that some days are crappy and you still love her! "O.L." Daisy

Sherry Mc said...

Aunt Laurie's right (don't tell her I said that) Abby needs to learn that just like there are times she is a grump, you have off days and have a right to be a grump too. Being a grump is ok, just not all the time. And that even if she feels grumpy, you still love her. xo Mom (who had more that my share of grumpy days with you guys and you survived)

Anne said...

I hear you! Being a single parent is HARD!! And lots of times, I feel like I can't complain, because I waited so long for this. But you are doing a great job. Abby is such a cutie, hope she's feeling better soon:)
Anne

kitchu said...

Girl, you don't give yourself enough credit! You did all the right things- keeping her home, taking care of her, and putting her needs before your own...

I am nervous about these days myself as I'm a restless person and feel like I'll go out of my MIND staying home with a sick kiddo!

As for anonymous- yeah, husband may not be home during the day, but at least you have someone to share the burden in the evening and someone to TALK to and cuddle with and get a hug from,etc etc...

single parenting in my opinion is SO different.

C's Mom said...

I hear you and I get it. New day tomorrow and let go of what isn't perfect about each one. The good far exceeds our guilty feelings.

fuzzandfuzzlet said...

At least she will have a good immune system when she starts school.