No one likes it when their kids are sick
No it is no fun having sickness running through the house. Especially when the kids are passing it around. I know that no one likes it when their kids are sick, but we can be joyful through it.
Staying happy when your kids are sick helps them to not feel like a burden on you. They feel it when you are stressed out. Let’s face it if we let ourselves become stressed out it makes us not feel very good. When they feel our stress it does the same thing to them. I recommend taking it easy when there is sickness going on around you. I also know that this is easier said than done.
The best advice I’ve ever been given
Some of the best advice I have ever been given is to let the messes wait. Now I don’t mean the gross stuff. Some things can’t sit and wait. You can, however, rinse the dishes and throw what you can within a 5 minute period, into the dishwasher, and let the rest wait until later. Let the toys sit and fold the laundry when they are all sleeping. Whatever the mess, unless gross, it can wait for a time when your babies don’t need you as much. If you can delegate things to someone whose not sick, great. If not, it isn’t the end of the world.
Your husband will know that you did your best for his babies. Likewise your kids will feel loved and nurtured. Take the time and just sit and hold them. Read to them. Or, you could do like I did yesterday afternoon, and take a nice hot bubble bath with them. This only works of course with those who are about 3 and under. At least for me, I don’t think it would be very appropriate if they are any older than that. Enjoy your babies, snot and all.
The best thing you can do
I believe that the best thing you can do is make your kids feel important, loved beyond measure, happy, and secure. The best way to do this, I would say is to be joyful no matter the situation. I realize this is not always easy. Especially when they are sick. But every time they see you choose joy over stress, it makes them stronger and gives them a more sure sense of security. If you are a rollercoaster of emotions, your kids will feel uneasy and anxious. It is easy to let your emptions run wild when those you love the most are ill, but for their sake you must harness those feelings and choose joy.
Our joy is found in Christ. (I Peter 4:13) We are going to suffer some things while here on this earth. If we purpose, as Christ did to keep our eye on God’s plan, we can have joy in all things. We, mothers specifically, have babies in sorrow, but as soon as they are here we forget all of it and joy in our new bundle of baby! Our children are a joy and a blessing from God. He loves them more that we ever could, if you can imagine that. He has a plan for their life. This is another thing we can spend these sick days pondering.
When we slow down and just take the time to be with our kids with no other distractions, like house work, it makes for great bonding moments. I have found that my children really like to talk about what they think God is going to call them to. Sometimes this is a little scary for a mother. One of my children says they feel the Lord is calling them to Africa. If I didn’t have peace from God in this it would be very scary. Take the time to pray with them. This brings great joy to a mother’s heart. Children are very selfless. Even when they are feeling the worst, when you get to praying with them, it is quite humbling.
Prove your joy
How do you prove your joy? By using it of course. How did David prove his sling shot? He used it. And Peter his sword? By using it. How do we prove God’s word? By implementing it into our lives and living by it. So, live your joy. Acts 20:24, Romans 5:11, 15:13. God will fill us with joy if we obey him and spread his gospel. Every time we choose joy, we strengthen our joy and the joy of those watching us. Our children greatly benefit from parents who are full of joy and not of wrath.
The last thing your children need from you when they are not feeling well is negativity. They don’t need that at any time really, but when they are sick they feel bad enough. I don’t mean negativity only directed at them, but all negativity. They thrive on love and nurturing from you. They need you to be joyful. Be happy to hold them and reconnect with them while nothing else is distracting you from them.
Please do not think that I am saying that it is a good thing for them to be sick. I am only saying that you can make the best out of a bad situation. And of course have joy through it. If your joy comes from the Lord, it should always remain with you. It just depends on how you choose to utilize it. Habakkuk 3:18, Luke 1:44, I Thessalonians 2:20, Philemon1:7, Hebrews 12:2, I Peter 4:13, I John 1:4.
Pray and believe
Pray over your little one and believe that he is able and willing not only to hear you but to heal your child. (Matthew 7:7-11) Matthew 21:22 says, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” He hears you. I John 5:14 & 15, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
We must also keep in mind that he is all knowing and that he knows more than we ever could, so sometimes his answer is no. (Isaiah 55:8 & 9) My family knows this, as many do, on a personal level. This is not my story to tell, though. But we have great consolation knowing that we can one day be reunited with our loved ones who have gone home. I Thessalonians 4:13-18
