Anyone else feel guilty 'taking it easy'?

[daisychainsaw7]

I've been ill for most of the festive period. Was convinced DS and I both had Covid as we're both showing signs and off work/school respectively for the last week of term, but both negative on tests.

Pushed on through Christmas itself..had guests for a few days then went visiting relatives.

Came back before NY feeling crap, cancelled guests coming for NYE and just felt worse and worse with a hacking cough and horrible wheeze on my chest.

Eventually phoned 111 yesterday as trying to get a GP appointment is more tricky than getting Glastonbury tickets, and got an ooo app.

I have a lung infection and have been prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler for the wheeze. Hoping this starts to knock it on the head as this is the 3rd week of feeling like shite.

I have hurt my lower back by coughing..felt it go yesterday morning so that has added to the general misery.

But..I have kids at home who have done bugger all but watch screens since we got back from relatives on the 29th. The weather is grey and wet, and I was told by the dr to rest. The thought of trudging out is not appealing at all as once my cough starts up I struggle to stop. But I feel so guilty..anyone else like this when they are ill? I need to get back to work next week so desperately trying to get better. Kids not back to school till mid next week. OH is WFH, but has no inclination to go out and do anything either..

Anyone else struggle with constant parenting-guilt and actually resting?

You're ill. Your body needs rest and recovery. The doctor has told you to rest. There's nothing to feel guilty about for that. And if you're as bad as you say, then there's no 'need' to get back to work; get signed off.

Seems to me you're pushing your mind and body beyond its limits and now its telling you stop, I need a break.

One year I had bad bronchitis at Christmas and was in bed all over the holiday. Couldn't walk more than a few yards before needing a rest, was on an inhaler. If you feel as bad as I felt then you have my sympathy. But please stop pushing yourself to do stuff and making yourself guilty because you can't do it.

Can't answer for the parenting guilt (childfree) 😉Can they do things for themselves - get their stuff ready, do chores?

Thanks for replying @MrsDanversGlidesAgain

I am a bit of a nightmare as my brain races all over the place! I do suffer with my MH and worry constantly..it's exhausting.

My kids are 13 and 10 so not babies, and happy enough slabbing about the house, but I guess I just feel like I should be doing stuff with them. It's hard to explain.

Stick on some music or a podcast, headphones on, close your eyes and try to relax. Or find a relaxation/breathing app/podcast or vid to help with the worrying - there are plenty on YT.

The constant worry really won't help you to get better - and I bet your DC don't want you to struggle when they sound happy to occupy themselves. I don't think it's mandatory to be always doing 'stuff.' As I kid I loved being left alone to do my own thing.

Hi @daisychainsaw7 how are you? was thinking about you yesterday evening and hpoing you got some rest and weren't worrying too much about getting things done.

I sometimes do but I think this is cultural. A lot of us come from cultures or societies that enforce work/work/work/do/do/do with very little emphasis on just being.

Youre allowed to rest and do nothing at all either because you need to or just because you want to. In fact it's crucial.

Hey @MrsDanversGlidesAgain .. thanks for checking in.

I thought I was starting to feel better yesterday evening as my chest wasn't wheezing and crunching so much, so went off to bed hoping for a better nights sleep. Woke up about an hour later hacking and coughing again

Chest is really wheezy again today. Luckily my DS's best friend's mum has taken him out for the day so at least he's left the house! I just went for a very gentle walk and it's knocked me out again.

Hoping to be well enough to go back to work next week and that the antibiotics will kick in soon.

Thanks @JamSandle , I think you're right.

I work in a school and unfortunately there is a bit of a feeling that you are scrutinised if you are off sick. We are so thin on the ground with staff absence at the moment too. So many teachers and support staff are totally burnt out 😞