Dear Joyce,
I woke up with such a bad pinched nerve in my neck I can’t move, let alone take care of my 2 year old. I have no idea how to take care of myself and my pregnancy with so much pain and no child care. I feel so bad because my daughter has seen me cry a lot today, and I could not hold her. HELP!!!!
– Annie
Dear Annie,
There is no allowance for sick mommies!!!! I want to encourage you today. You are a great mom who tends to your child’s needs so your daughter will be fine. This is a day in your life, a hard day . . . but it is not the pattern of your life. Little Audrey will be okay so take the worry of ruining her out of your mind – you need to focus on your healing. I was reminded of raising three little daughters and having no help at times. In 1974, my ankle slipped off of my platform shoe, and I broke my leg. Marci was a baby, and Michelle was 3 years old; Marv was on a bike trip to San Diego with a bunch of teens, and he broke his wrist falling off his bike, and my parents lived 2500 miles away. I could not walk and Marv could not lift. I needed HELP, and since I did not have adequate resources, I am sure I did not meet the needs of my girls. I did cry!!! Fast forward 35 years later . . . I am glad that my daughters do not recall that individual bad week . . . my pattern is what impacted them.
Do call a Mother’s Helper or babysitter, get the medical help you need, and try to lie down to relax. I realize when you are pregnant you are limited with the meds you can take, but do use ice and heat . . . and remember that this will only be for a short season.
Love, Joyce