Late reflection post today.
We had a big storm last night—Texas-style—with a tornado watch, intense thunder, frightening lightning, and even hail. But honestly, this kind of weather is pretty normal here. It’s practically summer, and we’re already dealing with heat waves one week and wild storms the next. Again…Texas normal.
To top it off? We’re entering summer with sickness in the house. Yay.
Personally, I’ve been perpetually sick since the beginning of the year—cycling through everything from sinus infections and colds to the flu and most recently a brutal ear infection that I’m still recovering from. Now our little one is joining the cycle, battling on-and-off symptoms over the last couple of weeks.
Why? Well, his immune system is still developing, and he’s been in preschool—two preschools actually—since early March. We had a full-time nanny before that—read more about that transition here. But once in preschool, the germ sharing begins. No matter how well they practice hand-washing and cough etiquette, colds spread like wildfire there.
We’ve washed our hands so much they’re dry, cracked, and constantly in need of lotion. Still, despite all the efforts, illness has settled in. Again.
So, What Do You Do When Your Child Says “I’m Sick”?
And what do you do when they also say:
“I want you to stay with me”…
…while you yourself are bone tired and running on empty?
It’s not easy. You want to comfort them. But you also desperately need to rest and recover. And then—as if on cue—a thunderstorm rolls in, and their fear intensifies. So, you show up. Again. And again.
That’s what we did.
Our Sick-Day Routine (with a Side of Storm)
During the day, when he told us he didn’t feel good, we kept it simple:
- Stayed indoors
- Watched Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
- Read a few books
- Built blanket and pillow forts
- Cuddled… A LOT
In the evening, as the storm rolled in and the thunder got louder, we took turns cuddling with him in his bed. Eventually, the storm got bad enough to spook us too. So, we climbed into our bed and snuggled together, waiting it out as a family.
Interestingly, our son actually sleeps best in his own bed. So once the thunder faded and he felt safe again, he asked to return to his room—and my husband stayed with him there until he fell asleep.
The Ingredients Every Child Needs
Love
Care
Connection
Comfort
Cuddles
Comfort doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be present.
Love. Care. Connection. Comfort. Cuddles.
These are the ingredients every child needs when they’re scared.
They’re also the same ones they need when they’re sick.
The truth is, fright and illness ask for the same kind of presence.
As parents, it’s easy to feel like we’re never doing enough.
But if you’re showing up—even tired, even imperfect—you are doing more than enough.
Your child may not remember every word you said, or every detail of the storm.
But they’ll remember how it felt to be held.
To be safe.
To be loved.
This was one of those nights I’ll always remember.
