I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired!
I was sick for nearly two months at the end of 2009 and the general ‘out of sorts’ lasted well into 2010. Nasty flu!
Getting sick is one of the hardest things for parents of difficult kids. We’re used to taking care of them, or at least jumping up and running out to solve the latest emergency.
Here is what helped me get through this time – with one kid in jail and another in Iraq.
- Simplify: I only did what I had to do. This included cooking and cleaning. Plus meetings. Lots of premade food (nutrition and budget took a temporary backseat). Even got groceries delivered (it was free the first time – and worth it).
- Consolidate: I’d gather up my energy and do errands one day and then recuperate the rest of the week.
- Delegate: Actually this was more like – ‘Don’t show up and someone else will fill in.’ And they did. At StandUp, church and my writer’s group, somehow they all got along without me. Yes, they were glad to see me come back again, in good health, but the world didn’t fall apart while I was gone.
- Ask: I asked one of my adult kids to help at home. I asked folks at church and StandUp for support, encouragement and to fill in for me. They did.
Simplify, Consolidate, Delegate and Ask, then get better soon!