Whenever my son is sick, we pull him out of school and he spends a good chunk of the week at home, recovering. But as soon we send him back to school, he returns with a snotty nose in a couple of days. With the freezing temperatures, flu season and germy kindergarten kids, we can barely hope for a week of nothingness.
Being the primary caregiver means that I’m the one who is more susceptible to my child’s viruses. Since I am also battling my own health issues leading to a low immunity, I have been on a sick cycle since December. I get severe coughs, body aches and suffer from lethargy every so often. In these moments, like today itself, I want nothing more than to return to my role as daughter.
When daughters marry and become mothers, we are often forced to erase our identity as our parents’ children as we are too busy caring for others and putting their needs above ours. As a mother, I am still expected to deliver some results even when ill. The least amount of effort I can put in on a bad day is at least 60 per cent. Meanwhile, as a daughter, I have no expectations, I am sick and I can get taken care of.
Those fortunate to still have parents and a home to return to know this feeling very well. No matter how old we get, no matter how old our parents get, the moment we enter home, we become their babies once more.
Nothing says cared for and loved like a daughter who is sick at home. The spoiling, the constant care, the expectation that we cannot do anything except rest is what I would travel thousands of miles for.
Living far from home makes
one appreciate even more the life you had before you became a parent. A life
that is taken away from you in the blink of an eye. A life you may never return
to. As much as I love being a mother and would not change it for the world, I
lived more of my life as a daughter, getting accustomed to certain ways of
life. Which is why I cannot help the sudden ‘cravings’ of being home when I’m
sick myself.
It’s like when they tell you to put your own mask on the airplane before helping others. One needs to fill his cup before nurturing others. This is why it shouldn't be frowned on when mothers need a respite. Remember even in our worst time, we are still worrying and caring for others, which is why when we are down, we should take time off to completely recover.
