What to do when they are sickie-poo?

There is nothing like the feeling of helplessness you get when you see one of your children sick. You want to wave a magic wand and help them feel better. You want to make the fevers go away. You want to make the sneezing and coughing to away. Most of all, you want the smiles and hugs back. You want your child back!

Gracie has been sick since last week. She's had fevers on and off over that time and Dr. A assured us on Friday that it was just a virus. We've been doing our best to help Gracie rest and feel better, but Gracie has a stubborn streak and she only wants to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it!

This morning, I heard her crying at 5 am. Granted we've just had a time change, so in Gracie's head it's still 6 am, but I digress. I heard her crying at 5 am and Daddy told me to leave Gracie in her room. He thought she was just awake and wanted to be out of her bed. So, I went to take my shower and left her in her room (I'd like to say that I was very torn here. She was making a mewling-crying sound and I wanted to go get her. However, when I do, she cries more and tends to wake the neighborhood up.).

About 5 minutes after I got in the shower, I heard the unmistakable sound of Little Who in our bedroom. Crying. Daddy must not have been able to stand the sound of Gracie sad either. When I finally came out of the bathroom, I discovered Gracie AND Lukie in our bed. It was then that I realized what happened. Lukie was so awake and happy that he must have woken up first and climbed in bed with Gracie, thus waking her up. It is the only explanation. Poor Gracie.

When I took her temperature, it was back up to 102.4 degrees. She was fever free yesterday! What happened? Needless to say, we have to call the doctor again. But what do I do? Daddy has dialysis today and I have to work. Should I stay home or have Gracie go with Grandma to the salon where she can cuddle and sleep in Grandma's big chair?

The lesson I keep being reminded of is that it is no fun being the working parent. It is especially not fun if you are the Mommy and the working parent. Every instinct in me says that I need to be at home with Gracie, but the practical side of me says I only have 7 sick days left and I need to reserve those for when I am horrifically ill.

So, what to do?

This is where I say: I need to go buy a lottery ticket.