A couple months into the school year, my two kids came home from school sick. Having an 11-year-old and an 8-year-old, I thought this would be a breeze. I considered myself to be a “seasoned” mom by now—but boy was I wrong. Life was ready to teach me a lesson. I, on the other hand, was not prepared for the week ahead.

Suddenly, my 11-year-old could not do a single thing alone. She became a moody couch potato, and nothing I did made her feel better. The only thing that brought her comfort was a Hello Kitty squishmallow pillow.

My 8-year-old little man on the other couch was complaining that his soup was too hot and asking if I could “pretty please” blow on it for him.

Everyday, they needed me a little bit more. I was running around checking temperatures, picking up tissues, praying they didn’t have Covid, RSV or the flu. Oh, and work! The law office needed me, but these snotty noses needed me more. I felt pulled in every direction.

I called in to the doctor’s office.

After disinfecting their rooms, grabbing new meds, going to the pediatrician and handling the screams of being swabbed for everything, the doctor confirmed they did in fact have the flu. I heard the whisper of my anxiety try to pop its head up.

Did I have everything they needed? Could I do this—two kids with the flu at the same time?! Did I know how to properly deal with the flu in kids?

Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mom with school-age kids.

But I remembered to breathe. I’ve got this.

During a trip to the store, I glanced in the mirror by the checkout line at Walgreens. Who was that mess trying to grab Gatorade and macaroni? In that mirror, I saw myself trying my absolute hardest to care for two kids during flu season—and it felt like it was enough.

In a sweaty, pink sweater that I had definitely been wearing for a few days, I looked as sick as my kids. I had a bird’s nest in my hair and house slippers on. I busted out laughing. “I’ve got this in any outfit,” is what I told myself.

My kids didn’t care what I looked like. They cared that I was there for them during this flu season. I was beautifully messy, loving them so hard at that moment. Life is often unpredictable, and I was merely managing it one day at a time.

I went home. I didn’t change because I didn’t have time. I made them a warm bath for their achy muscles. I added rubber duckies and broke out the bubbles like when they were 4 years old. Afterward, I brushed their hair even though I hadn’t brushed mine in a week. That’s a mother’s love.

I soaked up the fact that they were needy. I soaked up the kisses. I soaked up the cuddles. I sat with them as their fevers broke. I heard their bodies relax. I felt them rest. I took the day to sit and rest, too. I took care of myself and slowly, we popped our sick bubble.

Perhaps, when our kids get sick, all they need is us—even after the toddler years. Listen to those quiet moments. I missed the deadline for work, but I didn’t miss them reach for my hand.

Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mom with school-age kids. It’s messy and exhausting. I felt like I was riding the struggle bus until I saw myself and realized that even struggling can be beautiful.

Motherhood isn’t always pretty or perfect. Sometimes it’s fever meds at 3 am and runny noses wiped on the sleeve of our shirts. If you’re knee deep in cold and flu season with needy kids, I’m here for you. You’re going to get through this season—and I think you look beautiful doing it. You’ve got this.

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