No, you cannot be sick

Two different schools. One child who needs more support with his homework. Another who needs to be challenged. And the youngest has a birthday coming up, which apparently won’t organise itself just because Mummy has a temperature. The school pick-ups still happen. Someone still needs dinner. There’s always a question from the other room, a form to remember, something that needs sorting out. My husband is there, but even when I sit down, my head keeps running through the list. Sometimes I wonder whether I’m speaking for a whole silent crowd of women and/parents. Surely I’m not the only one trying to keep everything moving while my body is begging me to stop. But does everyone else feel this low when they’re ill? Because I start feeling useless. I can’t give my best at work. I’m exhausted. I stare at something I would normally understand in seconds, and my brain refuses to cooperate. I can’t make much progress on my website either. But I need it ready for Black Friday and Christmas. I still have to submit my app to the app store for approval, and there’s no guarantee it will be accepted the first time. The launch date doesn’t move just because I’ve got the flu. My eldest is starting middle school soon. I need to arrange school visits, but first there’s an information session at his current school. I need to do the food shopping. My husband can go, of course. But explaining exactly which onion seasoning I want—the one without salt or fried bits—can turn a shopping trip into a small research project. I need to contact the bank because I’m still waiting for a transfer. I need to set up a campaign at work. My colleagues are all busy, so there’s nobody available to help. Besides, as far as they’re concerned, I’m Superwoman. I’ll manage. Then my phone lights up. The group chat is organising a baby shower. I want to go. I want to see the friends I’ve made in New York. But now I’m doing calculations. Can I spare a hundred dollars while I’m waiting for that transfer? I’m also trying to save money for my startup. I leave the message unanswered for a moment, which means it becomes another thing to remember. And I still want to sit with my children while they do their homework. I want to listen to their stories properly, hear what happened at school, and celebrate their birthdays with some energy left in me. I want to be there for the life I’m working so hard to build. But I’ve got the flu. My whole body aches. Even lying down, I’m thinking about ever