I found substitutes for my nursery duties for the next six weeks. I have taken about six weeks recovery time off from church with the last three children. This was a suggestion of a good friend, so I took it. These children were born in the fall and winter, though, when illnesses are everywhere.
I took G to church the Sunday after he was born (in early October). He was ill by three weeks of age; after this, I wished I had taken into consideration more his need to have an established immune system before taking him out. This illness, by the way, was the start of the asthma we dealt with until he was about ten. Would this have eventually been a problem for him even if I had kept him home more during that time? I'm sure I'll never know that, but boy, was I foolish.
With a baby born in the summer, is this still a valid reason for not going out? I have been out and taken her with me at this point, but they have been places where I have been able to control who she comes in contact with. Should it be an all or nothing decision?
Here's the problem--I'm feeling really good, and I hate missing church. I miss the benefits of taking the sacrament. I miss being around good people who influence me to want to do good, but I also know the repercussions of pushing it too hard too fast after having a baby. I have felt good after each child and pushed it to the limit one too many times. I know the signs of having done so, and I know that it just makes recovery that much longer.
So, for now, I'm laying low. Six weeeks just seems like such a long time. Should I even be second-guessing this decision?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Playing Hooky - An Internal Battle
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 10:49 AM
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12 comments:
Congratulations again on your sweet baby!
Our Bishop releases women from their callings when they get to be 8 or 9 months pregnant and does not give them a calling for several months. You really do need to focus on that baby, yourself and your family.
I do not think there would even be anything wrong with going to Sacrament meeting so you could go to part of church and partake of the Sacrament and then just go home.
Nothing wrong at all.
I know how you feel about missing church, although you have a much better excuse that I do today. We got in really late last night and overslept... should I have flown into a rushed frenzy and got my family of sleepyheads woken up, cleaned up, and out the door to catch what remained of our meetings? Or let them get the sleep they need (some of whom for more weighty reasons than laziness)... Some nagging feeling is telling me I should have at least gone myself, but I didn't this time, and I'm feeling the twinges of guilt for wimping out on that this morning.
In your case, though, I wouldn't push it too hard for yourself of L., and trust your instincts for when it's time.
I second (third?) the idea to stay home as much as humanly possible for as long as possible. 6 weeks minimum.
I work at a hospital and I can tell you there is no time of year that people are not sick. There are times when *everyone* is sick, but even now there are a lot of people sick. I know you're not living here, but we have HUGE numbers of people with flu even now in the middle of the summer. HUGE. Like, you would not believe how many. I would tell you but then I would have to kill you.
Stay home. I have great faith in your ability to find spiritual fulfillment in other things. Books? Conference videos online? Go back and watch the womens' conferences! Just keep that baby (and yourself) safe.
(I know. I'm an alarmist. Sorry! Love ya!)
I also agree that now is definately an ok time to stay home and just let you and L rest. Even though you are feeling great, you can tire easily by doing too much, too soon - L is only a week old!
Also, what your friend said about flu is true - we still have many families in the ward who are sick, including us, summer or not, stuff is still going around.
If you are really missing the sacrament, maybe talk to your bishop about having the priests come and bring it to you at home. You have every reason to stay home, and every reason to still be able to take the sacrament. Just a thought.
Take this time for you and L to get some extra rest when everyone is away - or take a bath/shower uninterrupted, or whatever you might need during that time. The extra care/quiet wont last for long. It really is ok.
it's smart to give yourself a few weeks before going back and especially going back to a nursery with a small baby...germs germs everywhere!
I always took 2-3 weeks before i went back as well. you need it
Well-- if you DO come back to church Becky told me a tip: Put the socks on the hands and leave the feet bare- they will touch the feet and not the hands and she won't likely be putting her feet in her mouth too soon. But I say take off all the time you can. But I am a slaker. Major Slacker! :o) Love ya- can't wait to meet her!
I think it is smart. Babies are only little once and enjoy the time. You will appreciate the time later and really be grateful when you are able to go back..Love ya Julie!
On the advice of my first pediatrician (wonderful doctor, wish we hadn't moved so far from him) I've stayed away from church with every baby for 6-8 weeks, no matter what the season of their birth. I've never felt an ounce of guilt about it, I love the three hours of quiet time with the baby.
My only twinge has come because most of the people in the ward (not my good friends or neighbors, but certainly the people I see only weekly) get to see the baby only when s/he is a few months old, not when tiny.
But oh well. That's life.
Almost everyone I know had at least one of their kids hospitalized for RSV. None of mine ever were. I was maybe overprotective, but I still think it worked out pretty well.
Just stay home and be glad for the quiet time.
I love all of the ideas...I will take them to heart, too! I plan on "wearing" Lagi to church and leaving only tootsies exposed with socks...that way folks can only spread theri cooties there. :o) Of course, since I am a C-section gal, I get a couple of weeks off...oh, but wait! I got released from YW last week and then sustained to Ward Act. Chair and a Sunday School Teacher without ever getting to sit down! LOL! (seriously!) Bring on the delegated Pioneer Day Celebration!
Maybe I'm crazy but I brought Cee to church when she was 3 weeks old I think. If you decide to come to church, you can still let us subs do your nursery job and just enjoy the other meetings with the baby.
Hey Julie! Here's what I suggest. If you really feel up to it and want to go to church, then go. It's important when you feel the desire to not deny it, and don't give another thought about nursery.
Just be happy to attend the meetings that are prepared especially for you and enjoy your new baby.
Don't worry about your calling, because this is one that can be easily subsituted! No one expects you to run faster than you're able - you're the only one holding you back or pushing you forward...so sit back and bask in it. :)
Enjoy your time with Lachlan and don't worry.
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