Like all moms, I try hard not to get sick. Unfortunately, I think the odds are now stacked against me worse than ever before. I live in Chicago, have a 9-month old son, I’m running on less sleep than ever, and everyone is getting sick. 
Already this year, my husband has had the flu and my son is getting over his first cold. The “old” me would have avoided all of these ailments completely. The “new” me must be more strategic in order to avoid getting ill. That’s why, I’ve decided, if you are an adult (I’ll be generous, over 21) and are going to come over to my house to visit me and my child, you must play by my new set of “sick rules.”
Rule #1: If you are married to me and cannot get out of bed because you don’t feel well, you are not allowed to ask me why the baby is crying or why for so long.
Rule #2: If you are a visitor staying overnight, you should not announce when you walk in the door, “Dad has a cold, but he’s not contagious.”
Rule #3: If I ask you to wash your hands before you handle my son because I fear you might be ill, you are not allowed to complain about the scent of hand soap I have in my kitchen.
Rule #4:  No comments allowed on my son’s snotty nose unless you are willing to dispense OCEAN for Kids Saline Nasal Spray twice to each of his nostrils 4 times a day. Have fun.
Rule #5: None of these rules apply to me. I’m the mom. Â
Now cross your fingers everyone follows these guidelines. I have to go into the office tomorrow.
Tags: OCEAN Nasal Spray, sickness, child care
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Can totally relate to #2. Why does she get to hold the baby and I don’t? Uhhh, well dad, you are congested, have a terrible cough, and a runny nose..that’s all, really.
Another rule I’d like to add – we’ll call it #1B:
If you are married to me and do not feel well, you do not get to regress and act like a baby that needs to be taken care of. I already have two kids that are sick…that’s more than enough for me.