Surviving Sick Season

Hi Mamas - 

“Sick season.” Did that make you twitch a little too? The mere mention is enough to send every working parent into a mild state of panic. Sick season is hard enough on its own—but as a working parent? Ummm, HARD PASS. The schedules, the fevers, the emails you’re answering from the pediatrician’s parking lot—it’s a whole thing.

And for those of us working from home, it hits a little differently. The lines blur even more when your office is the kitchen table and your “coworkers” are coughing on your laptop.

If you’re in the full-on juggle of conference calls, chicken soup, cough drops, and Clorox wipes, we see you still showing up —and we’ve got a few things this week to help make that a little easier.

Also, we sure would love if you’d share The CARRY ALL newsletter with another mama who needs it—we are so grateful hearing how much you look forward to getting this in your inbox every Tuesday. Would you share the love and share your referral link to another mama (or two)?

Enjoy!

-CARRY™ Team

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🧰  Build Your Sick Season Toolkit

• 🧠 The Mental Load of Sick Season

• ☕️ Tiny Acts of Survival for YOU

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣  🧰 Build Your Sick Season Toolkit

It’s inevitable — it will hit at some point. The school calls, the kid wakes up at 2:00 AM, the weekend is suddenly derailed. Instead of reacting in the moment, let’s do future-you a favor. The goal? To have a few things prepped so you’re not scrambling quite as hard when the germs show up (because, let’s be honest, there will still be some scrambling).

• Practical items to stock up on: go-to meds, tissues, sanitizing & disinfecting products, sick-day snacks (crackers, applesauce, granola bars, soup, instant oatmeal, broth), hydration/electrolyte options, thermometer, humidifier.

• Backup childcare: Have you thought it through yet? Create a quick list on your notes app of people you can call so you don’t have to brainstorm in the moment.

• Activities for working-from-home sick days: What can your kid do while you keep the emails flowing? Yes, screen time totally counts if you ask us. Easy options: coloring books, puzzles, sticker sets, audiobooks.

• Meals, people. MEALS. They still want to be fed. I know, right? Stash the freezer with a few easy meals for those “we’re all running on fumes” nights. Grab-and-go meals from local restaurants or grocery stores are also lifesavers. And, listen, we love the earth, but if there was ever a time for disposable dishes and utensils…THIS IS YOUR MOMENT. No apologies needed.

• Plan buffer space. If possible, leave a little “white space” in your schedule so a sick day doesn’t unravel everything.

In whatever way you can give yourself breathing room when chaos strikes, it’s worth the prep now! But nonetheless - simply surviving sick season counts!

2️⃣   🧠 The Mental Load of Sick Season

Balancing work and a sick kid is like juggling flaming swords—while riding a unicycle. It's a mental marathon, not a sprint. Motherly's article on the five stages of "The Call"—denial, negotiation, worry, resignation, and guilt—perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of receiving that dreaded daycare call. 

• Denial: "Maybe they misread the thermometer. It's probably just a little sniffle."

• Negotiation: "Can I reschedule this meeting? Maybe I can work from home for a few hours?"

• Worry: "Will I get everything done? Will my boss understand?"

• Resignation: "Okay, let's just get through this day."

• Guilt: "Am I doing enough for my child? Am I neglecting my work?"

These stages testify to the mental gymnastics working parents perform daily. It's not just about physical exhaustion; it's about the constant mental load of planning, adjusting, and worrying.

If sick season is knocking on your door, we can’t totally take away the frustration, disappointment, and exhaustion of it but as a community of working moms, we see you. Sometimes the only way is THROUGH – you’ve done this before, you’ll make it again. The physical chaos of it all is one thing – the constant mental and emotional toll is another and we’re right there WITH you!

3️⃣   ☕️ Tiny Acts of Survival for YOU

This time isn’t just about the sickies—it’s also about the caretakers. Aka, YOU. And yes, sometimes the thing that would help the most—sleep—is totally out of your control. The fevers, the middle-of-the-night wake-ups, the chaotic days… sometimes you just can’t fix it, and that’s okay.

What you can control are the tiny things that help you stay upright:

• Hydration: Drink your water! Even little sips make a difference. 💧

• Phone limits: Set boundaries to avoid overstimulation. Hopefully this helps you grab the sleep you desperately need instead of scrolling unnecessarily (easier said than done, we know). 📵

• Mini resets: 10-minute showers, ordering dinner guilt-free, lowering your expectations for the day. The house can be a hot mess and the laundry can pile up for a few days, we promise.

• Dark showers: Have you tried it? (Glamour’s “Tuesday Shower”) — a small, doable way to give your nervous system a quick break from the chaos. 🚿

• Tiny comforts: A cup of tea (maybe a quick drive to get out of the house and grab a cup of coffee), a few quiet minutes, a chapter of a book, or chocolate (we won’t judge). ☕🍫📖

• Asking for help: Let people in—neighbors, partners, friends. No seriously we cannot say it enough – sick season is about SURVIVAL. Nobody needs to be a superhero! You were never meant to carry it all, mamas!

📰 IN THE NEWS

The Childcare Crisis Deepens

The childcare crisis continues to escalate, leaving many working parents grappling with limited options and increased stress. A recent Yahoo article highlights how parents are being forced to navigate unconventional work hours due to the lack of available childcare, adjusting their work schedules or, in some cases, leave the workforce entirely.  Read more HERE and hear what experts believe the solution to the childcare crisis.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎
for the mom who works from home

Have you ever had someone say, “What a dream!” when you tell them you work from home? Bittersweet, right? Yes, you get to be home—maybe even enjoy a little flexibility—but it comes with juggling a lot at once. The kids, the emails, the laundry staring you down while deadlines do too. It’s what draws many of us to work from home in the first place… and also what makes most days feel like a high-wire act.

Emily P. Freeman, in her article on staying focused while working from home, reminds us that regaining control doesn’t require perfection—it’s about creating small, intentional moments of focus and calm. Here’s how you can do that:

• One thing at a time: Multitasking is a trap. Focus on one thing, crush it, then move on.

• Prep your space: Clear a corner, light a candle if it helps, claim your tiny office kingdom.

• Set a timer: Tasks don’t need to drag on forever—your sanity will thank you.

• Mini celebration: Finished that task? High-five yourself. Even if it’s just mental. 

The takeaway: kids will spill stuff, emails will flood in, deadlines will loom—but if you make space for even a few focused, intentional moments, you CAN do it. Sometimes, remembering why you’re choosing this path and what it allows you—instead of focusing on everything begging for your attention—is what helps the most.

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