Archive | May, 2010

Photo Credit

This post was written by Passionate Homemaking’s monthly contributor, Kat.

My family recently emerged from a bout with the Black Plague. Or something like that. All I know is I was down and out for almost 2 full weeks. I. Felt. Horrible. I was in bed more than out of it and my wonderful husband Jimmy did everything. I didn’t emerge from my room for a couple days.

I didn’t even blog.

Yes, it was that bad.

But what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger right? So, here’s something I learned from The Great Sickness of 2010:

Mama needs a backup plan.

Jimmy did a great job, don’t get me wrong. Since he works from home, he has a good idea of how things run around here and he took care of things like a champ, but it was hard on him. I want to plan in advance so, should anything like this happen again (may it never, ever be), we’ll be prepared. And it will be easier on everyone.

So I’ve decided we need a “If Mommy Gets The Black Plague Again Kit.” Here’s what it will contain:

1. Frozen meals

Make sure there are always at least a weeks worth of meals in the freezer. It would have been much easier if Jimmy hadn’t had to come up with a meal every single night. It would have been nice if he could have just pulled something out of the freezer to heat and serve.

I want to keep at least 5 meals in there at all times. In addition to that, I want to have snack/lunch options in the freezer regularly as well.

Lindsay has a great post with a gabazillion recipes. Don’t try to use that word in Scrabble.

2. Paper products

Lindsay may kick me out of my guest blogging position for this suggestion. (Kidding…I think.)

But dishes are just one more thing our husbands need to take care of when we’re sick. By having some paper cups, plates, bowls handy we can save them a lot of work, stress and mess. You can buy the earth friendly kind, so you don’t feel so guilty about using them. We did this about a week into The Great Sickness of 2010 and it made a HUGE difference.

3. Give everyone a job

When you’re healthy is a great time to begin teaching your kids how to do chores. If they can walk they can help. They can carry their clothes to the hamper or put their plate in the sink. If they’re used to doing a chore, they’ll be much more eager and able to help when mommy is out of commission.

4. Activities list and supplies location

While I was sick, Jimmy took the kids out, played games with them, read to them and let them watch tv. But it would have been easier for him if he had a list of entertaining activities for the kids. Things like Playdoh, painting, blocks, puzzles, audiobooks, Adventures in Odessey stories and looking at old photo books are really fun and they allow daddy a little time to rest.

5. Goodies

Keep a little box of trinkets (stickers, bubbles, coloring books) handy for those days when you’re not feeling your best. Providing a goody bag for your kids will thrill your kids and take some of the stress of entertaining them off of your husband.

6. Prayer

When we’re sick we have PLENTY of time on our hands to pray for our children and our husbands. Grab your prayer calendars and spend an extended portion of time praying for your family.

Conclusion

You CAN take care of your family even when you’re sick and stuck in bed just by doing a little planning and creative thinking.

Having an emergency kit will not only make life much easier for your husband, but it will also ease your mind when you’re sick and need to rest.

Action Step
Take 30 minutes today to:
1. Add paper products and a few goodies to your grocery list.
2. Double 2 recipes this week and freeze the left overs.
3. List 1 chore that each of your kids can practice.

Kat blogs at Inspired To Action, a site dedicated to helping moms develop the habits and skills they need to effectively manage their homes and raise children who are prepared to change the world. Kat and her husband Jimmy live in the great state of Texas and have 3 children ages 7, 5 and 3. Kat loves music, running, technology, Jesus and Tex-Mex food. Not necessarily in that order.