Well, it’s official! This year has gone down in our family history as the one with the most sickness, by far. Each of my boys and myself have all had multiple rounds of sickness.

Even my hubby, with his usual ironclad immune system from a career in elementary schools, was brought down once this year. Colds, flus, ear infections, unusual amount of headaches, you name it and we have had it, and then some.

We have racked up a record amount of school day absences, missed the most swimming classes, missed out on family Christmas parties, birthday parties, and countless important everyday activities. We even took it to Belfast with us.

Ironically, shortly after deciding on my blog topic, my youngest boy started to complain about his belly hurting. Within an hour of that we had started yet another full night of up and down trips to the washroom and baths. What the heck is going on in this house!

Today he’s doing much better, but that’s the way it goes with him. For him it’s usually a fairly intense short-lived spell that has him bouncing back within a day or so. When my oldest guy gets sick it can be like riding a week-long roller coaster. Sick one day, fine for two, sick again, fine for another three and so on for about 7-10 days. He gets us every time. Just when we think he’s on the mend and can go back to school or to camp or for a sleepover…bam! Ahh, good times!

No matter how long it lasts though it’s always so hard to see them sick. They seem so small and vulnerable and all you want to do is take the hurt away. With our youngest he still calls out for us and wants us there to rub his back, wipe his forehead with a cold cloth, run his bath and get him cozy jammies. With our oldest nearing 10 years old now that has pretty much stopped with him.

This winter we’ve noticed he doesn’t need us as much in that way. We even woke one night to find he had already made his way to the washroom, ran his own bath and was putting himself back to bed without even once asking for help. Last month, he was sick one night while we were still awake. When we went to check on him he politely asked for his privacy. What?!

Now don’t get me wrong if this is the beginning of him showing his independence, it’s not a bad place to start and I’m not exactly complaining. It’s comforting to know that he knows what he needs to do and what makes him feel better; but it’s the kind of pride that’s matched by a twinge of heartache realizing he just doesn’t need you as much anymore.

Later that same night, and he was ready for bed I went and laid with him. Instead of being asked to leave this time, he snuggled in tight. After about 10 minutes I went to go and I heard him quietly say, “Mom, can you snuggle just a few more minutes?” I’ll admit my heart lifted a bit as I whispered, “Sure Buddy,” and happily snuggled back in knowing I was needed just a little while longer.

Tracy is a self-employed Mom of two boys, trying to get it right the first time. By day, helping companies tell their stories through words, media and events. By night, navigating the world of Lego, Minecraft and Harry Potter.