Friday 11 June 2010

Bringing up boys: First attempt at pulling a sickie....


Mum, Mum I still feel sick I can’t go to school tomorrow...
I think this is a case of a Mum being far too indulgent of her offspring leading them to believe that being ill is some sort of wonderful fairy tale whereby they are the centre of attention, waited on hand and foot, tempted with goodies not normally entertained  and get to watch TV all day.
It is so easy to do and my heart breaks at the thought that even though I would love him to stay with me and do all of the above, it is time to get back to work for both of us. He to school, and me to my deadlines; the idyll is over.
A brief two days, just The Boy and me, I feel terribly cruel and have vowed that  I shall be more like Nanny McFee rather than Mary Poppins. If either of them are ill apart from the tasty morsels to tempt their appetite and  mopping of fevered brows when called to the other extras will be off limits perhaps then the idea of school and playing with their mates might be a little more appealing.
However, there is a bit of me that recognizes the need to have your Mum all to yourself, the pampering, the cuddles and the total uninterrupted loving. I don’t think a day of R&R did any lasting harm and I noted how swiftly he felt better when I replied that as he was still so obviously ill then there was only one thing I could think of to help him to get better: “You’ll just have to stay in your Room all day Darling, with no TV, as obviously Mummy was wrong in letting you watch it as you are still ill. I had also better get some more pink medicine, I know you don’t like it but it does help you get better. Perhaps I should double the dose? No? No, don’t worry poppet Mummy will sort it out. What you are feeling better already? Miracles never cease!”

7 comments:

Gappy said...

Both of my sons try every morning without fail to pull a sickie. You might have thought that they'd have learnt by now, but no. It seems their mornings are not complete without at least one attempt to convince me that they are on deaths door. I have tried to explain the concept of crying wolf to them but it goes unheeded.

Molly said...

Tattie I watched Nanny McFee at Christmas time and thoroughly enjoyed it. I agree with everything you said and did in your blog - obviously worked a treat. Love Molly x

Aly said...

My son woke yesterday with stomach pains.I gave him some medicine and told him no breakfast.By 10:30 he was playing on the Wii with his dad (me and my hubby work from home).After perusing the calender I then informed him that he was missing out on making his Knight's armour for the Medieval banquet the school would be hosting at the end of term.His face dropped and I could tell he was a bit gutted.Needless to say i think he's learnt his lesson.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

I used to be dumped on my grandmother on these occasions . And , after a day of Potato and Leek soup and dusting , I'd be quite happy to go back to school the next morning .

Jude said...

Yep, that's my trick too, telling him that he'd best stay in bed all day if he doesn't feel up to school. Works like a charm.

Posie said...

Hi, I am back on board!! Its good to catch up. I can totally relate to how you feel, I am a big softie and love pampering the children if they are poorly and it is difficult being the 'hard' mum and sending them off to school when they just want some time out. I love the holidays when they are all at home. Posie x

Mother Hen said...

It's okay to have a 'sickie' once in ablue moon. I have even asked my daughter if she would want to take a 'sickie' so We could go off and have a mother daughter day.
How sorry am I?

Go on you know you want to...

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin