the “yes and…” of parenting

A woman behind me at the grocery store on Christmas Eve eve interrupted a conversation i was having with another mom about how hard it’s been to keep having sick kids. She said “well it’s good for them. They should have a virus 8-11 times a year in order to build their immune system. 

Look, i understand that Asher getting sick is “good for him” and will make him healthier & stronger in the long term. But can we have a yes and…yes it’s good that Asher is building immunity AND it’s really hard for his mom when it happens. It’s isolating to be stuck at home. It’s exhausting to deal with an upset toddler who can’t use his words to tell me what hurts. It’s inevitable that I’m going to get at least 1 out or 4 of these viruses. Plans are cancelled. More sleep is lost. Emotions run high. Energy runs low. It’s hard. And i just wish sometimes we could acknowledge the “yes and” of this parenting thing. 

I simply said to her “true. Still sucks tho”. And left it at that because my toddler was trying to eat dirty blueberries and climb out of the cart. But just you know, Instagram friends…acknowledge to a mom stuck at home with sick kids that it’s hard & maybe bring her a coffee 🤪