Managing With Two With a Broken Foot

I broke my foot three weeks ago. It’s actually just one bone in my right foot, but nevertheless, it is a hassle because I can’t drive or put any pressure on the foot, so I am hobbling around on crutches. This also means that I can’t pick up my toddler or drive my daughter to school.

I am aware that this is not uncommon as I’d like to believe as I sit on my couch feeling sorry for myself. What about mothers with any number of challenges? Like my friend who fought cancer while taking care of her toddler while going through months of chemo. Like another friend who broke her hand right before she had to go back to work after maternity leave? What about all of the mothers out there who need surgery, have arthritis, break a bone, etc.? Not to mention the commonality of the random injury that may occur when rushing around to get the kids ready in the morning and tripping over toys.

So, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and began to at least try to think of this as a great opportunity to rest and to praise myself for the little accomplishments, like successfully making coffee and carrying the mug to the couch.

I recognize that this enforced “break” has its perks. I can binge watch reality TV during the day. I can sort through the millions of pictures of my kids on my computer. I can sleep in because my husband gets the baby up every morning. I can get some work done and write this blog. And, most importantly, I can be a more engaged parent because my kids have a captive audience, as I read them book after book and play with them. I have nowhere else to be!

So while this whole broken foot thing is terribly inconvenient, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a family who supports me and helps out immensely. I have friends who take me to the coffee shop so I can get out of the house. And my kids are learning to be more independent because I can’t do everything for them. It’s not the end of the world.