What’s A Mother To Do?

I had big plans for last week. Or at least I had my recurring plan for last week. I was going to write something substantial. I was going to clean out my “office” (which is really an overstuffed computer hutch with failing doors). I was going to get some healthy food in the house. I was going to have dinner with friends. I didn’t do any of those things. —

Because right on the cusp of that new week, my eight-year-old got the stomach bug. After fifteen years of parenting, I think I’m pretty brave. I’ve seen and done things as a mom I would have never imagined before having kids. Yet nothing strikes fear in my heart like a stomach bug.

To be honest, I now have a washer and dryer in my apartment. A few queasy family members should not horrify me. Not so. When I came home last Sunday morning to the news (and scent) that my third-grader had gotten sick throughout the living room, I wanted to run. Because you know, when a stomach bug enters your home, it strolls right through, greeting each and every person it meets. This would not be pleasant.

First my younger son had it. Then, somewhat expectedly, my older son got it. What was not so expected, however, was his shocking inability to find a bathroom before lightening struck. Soon my daughter was felled. And then the husband. It was like watching loud and cranky soldiers drop and heave on an upholstered battlefield.

I, alone, stood strong and somewhat healthy. Which, of course, is a mixed blessing. The last one standing gets to clean up the mess. Thank goodness I had rubber gloves.

I’d be foolish to think I was the only mom who had a difficult time of it last week. I’m sure many faced far worse than a nasty bug. Truthfully, now that everything in our apartment has been cleaned and dried, my hands are not even shaking so much anymore. The bigger issue I think, for me, is how easily I’m thrown off my game.

As mentioned, I had plans for last week. Like many, I set plans most weeks. I even have an occasional list. What shocks and saddens and frustrates me is how little I wind up accomplishing. Even during bug-free weeks. Something always comes up.

What’s a mother to do? What’s a woman to do? I think the beauty of this blog is not so much having me open up about all the comical missteps in my life–I think the beauty of this blog is sharing. Clearly, I’m realizing mid-life, I have time management issues. Maybe there’s someone out there that has time management solutions. If so, please comment!! Please share! We’ll call it a barter.

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