When kids are sick

When my kids all came down with the seasonal flu the day before Thanksgiving and the Realtor called and ask to show the house (yes our house is for sale. Check it out MLS ID #2909285) and it was raining and 40 degrees. I knew the next 5-7 days were going to be dicey. As I have learned through Parenting On Track now is the time to eat ice cream. This means that when all three kids are crying, it is 3 am and your husband has the flu too, it is time to gather you children snuggle up and sing a song.

To combat any "woe is me" feelings this week I have been going to bed at 8pm, working out once a day, showering and putting on clean clothes! I even put a bit of perfume on to top it off!

If I had recorded this morning's off to school routine, it would have sounded like this: WHAAAAAA, from child #2, POUT from child #1(at least she was quiet), and HACKING COUGH from child #3. Ahhh, it was the sweet sounds of our home at 7:30am after 5 days of lying on the couch sick with the flu.

My husband and I did such a good job. We shut our mouths and moved our bodies away from crying children for a good 45 minutes. It was tough. Once in the car, child #2 had on the same shirt she slept in, but I decided that was what she wanted and I ignored it. I put on Curious George and all was quite.

Will that work every time? NO. Did it work once? YES. Will I do that again? NO. Here is the secret: do something different next time. Child #2 was waiting to see how long it took mommy and daddy to flip out. Okay we flipped out but we made it better in the end.

Looking back I am not remembering what I did "wrong". I am remembering the little faces listening to Curious George and the hugs I gave them before school and what we could do after school today to make it a great day.

Maybe make them breakfast for dinner!