In Sickness and in Health

There's a horrible flu virus thing circulating at the moment. My husband is into his 6th week of coughing and spluttering, and I'm just heading into my 5th. The week before last it got into my ears and one of my eardrums burst. I had to spend a few nights sleeping upright, which made me snore. We're both feeling wiped out, tired and irritable, with a persistent dry cough that just never ends. The kids have all had a milder version, with a couple of days of coughing and sneezing each. It's just one of those things.

But for Cactus it's been challenging. Surrounded by the coughing, sneezing, snoring and sniffing noises which are some of her biggest triggers, she's kept out of our way as much as possible. School runs have been difficult - my typical teenagers can get through a whole box of paper tissues in an afternoon at home, but would never dream of putting a few in their pocket when leaving the house. Car journeys have had a soundtrack of sniffing and snorting, with instant violent reactions from Cactus in the back seat. And whilst I try to avoid speaking, laughing, yawning or moving my hands where she can see them, I can't help coughing when I'm sick.

The upside of having a burst eardrum is that I've lost most of my hearing, and I can't hear all the huffing and swearing I provoke. Though I can certainly feel the stamping feet and thumping on the seat through the fabric of the car.

It's got me thinking about a few "sickness protocols" at home. Things like always having a stock of tissues in the car and making sure noses are blown and pockets filled before journeys. Giving everyone a boiled sweet to suck on the way. It's back to toddler parenting basics.

And for Cactus there's a lesson to be learned. Sometimes, however understanding and sympathetic your family are, they just can't help making noises when they're sick. So be mindful of that, and be prepared to deal with it. What's your plan?

Because however annoying and imperfect they are, your family are there for you. In sickness and in health.