I suppose it was only a matter of time.

Despite all three kids being at nursery since the age of one we’ve somehow managed to escape being hit with the chicken pox stick. Until now.

chicken pox

It all started with the dreaded email alert from nursery (you know the one), followed by the unmistakable appearance of angry red spots on the middle one’s back (I swear you can actually watch them appear).

It wasn’t long before the little critters were everywhere – and when I say everywhere I mean everywhere – and I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time before the girls get them too.

This is all well and good if you don’t have to actually be anywhere or do anything other than nurse them back to health. Not so good when you’re a work-at-home mum with deadlines looming. So what can you do? Here’s what I’ve discovered.

The work-at-home mum’s guide to surviving chicken pox

1. Don’t panic. I mean you can panic, but there’s absolutely no point.

2. Don’t think about all the work you’ve got hanging over you. You’ll manage it. You always do.

3. Accept it. There’s really nothing you can do about it, and the sooner you accept that the better.

chicken pox

4. Buy all the medicine. Liquid paracetamol, liquid ibuprofen, liquid piriton and calamine lotion (them). Valium and wine (you).

5. Buy all the distractions you can get your hands on. Magazines, ice cream (just the job if they’ve got them in their mouth), DVDs – all the things you usually say no to.


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So this has happened This picture doesn’t do it justice but this one is COVERED in chicken pox (t-shirt #katemorgan for @hm_kids – I managed to bag the same print in a jumpsuit for the oldest & a dress for the youngest, but I’ll save them for a separate post ) He has spots everywhere, & when I say everywhere I mean EVERYWHERE In a week when I’ve got not one, not two, but three separate deadlines And his sisters haven’t had it which means they’re probably going to get it too And all this after a week in which the youngest had a bug & Misery Guts had not one but two separate migraines so I started the working week already behind I think it’s safe to say it’s going to be a looong week #wahm #wahmlife #mondayblues

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6. Prepare to climb the walls. Because you can’t take them out, not while they’re contagious, anyway.

7. When they say they’ve got spots on – or in – their unmentionables take their word for it. It brings a whole new meaning to the term spotted dick.

8. Prepare to spend their every sleeping moment awake. Because it’s the only way you’ll get what you need to do done.

chicken pox

9. Treat the incubation period as a time of reflection. Namely that chicken pox sucks.

10. Remember you’re doing great, and this, too, shall pass.

Have you had chicken pox in your house recently? Do you have any top tips? I’d love to know what they are!

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