I was thinking I would write this blog from my bed. But I haven't made it there yet.

Here's what I know for sure: being a mum when you're sick SUCKS.

The boys have both had colds since the beginning of last week and on Wednesday, my immune system rolled over and said, "Have your wicked way with me, too, plague!" 

Two sick kids at once is a special kind of snotty, whingey, teary hell.  But when you, the chief caregiver, are also struck down, it just becomes unworkable. B subsequently took two days off last week so that I could crawl into bed and attempt to recover. And for once, I actually did just that. I didn't use the opportunity to clean, wash clothes, read my book or write lists of stuff that I should have been doing. I crawled into bed, I shut my eyes and I slept like a dead person. 

When I reappeared in the late afternoon, I felt amazing. Not physically, really. I still had the cold. But mentally, I felt lighter than I have in…I want to say years. For one day, I put aside expectations (mine, always my own) and attempted to achieve nothing. Which was quite the achievement.

Today I find I am still sick. And the boys have lingering colds, too. 

Today I needed to crawl into bed again. But that wasn't on the cards.

Today I pushed the proverbial up hill. ALL. DAY. LONG.

I am not necessarily the model of patience. Today I had less than zero.

My kids were pressing buttons I didn't even know I had.

It was a long day.

When B got home, he stepped in to fill the breach. Because that's what he does. Regardless of the kind of day he might have had, when he arrives home to find me as he found me today, he just steps in. For this reason and so many others, he remains one of the finest human beings I have ever had the good fortune to have children with.

Wait – what?

B is awesome.

Meanwhile, single mums have my utmost respect. Seriously, how do they do it?

Being a mum when what you really need is your mum? Hard work.

But because I'm all grown up, I'm going to be my own mum now and order myself to bed early.