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Even Our Kids Are Afraid to Take a Day Off—and it’s Unhealthy

  • 2  Minute Read
Little girl looking out window of car
Image via Sarah Lango

We have created a society where even our kids are afraid to rest, to take a day off, to recuperate.

Throughout the last 24 hours, my 8-year-old started coughing and hacking and laboring to breathe. I was up in the night with her multiple times trying to get her comfortable enough to sleep.

So this morning when I woke up and observed her symptoms were still present, I made the decision. She would need to stay home from school and go see our pediatrician.

Do you know what her concerns were?

But mom, I have a PE fitness test—what if they don’t let me make it up?
But mom, what about the work I’ll miss?
But mom, what about basketball practice?
Will I have to miss out on recess tomorrow to make up the work I miss today?

Y’all, she’s EIGHT.

An 8-year-old more concerned with the work she will be missing than her apparent need to rest.

An 8-year-old concerned about the consequence of her taking a day off. ONE day.

No wonder we live in a world of people who are overworked, overtired, and overstressed.

I recognize that it’s up to me to change the narrative for myself and for my kids.

My response: your health, your well-being, your need to have a day off for whatever reason—it matters. It’s more important than that project, or test, or missed practice. It’s more important than a perfect attendance certificate or a start in the next game.

RELATED: I Don’t Care if My Kids Miss School

And I remind myself the same is true for me.

Take the day off when you feel physically beaten down.

Give yourself rest when you feel mentally overwhelmed.

Let’s teach our kids that caring for the body and brain God gave them is valuable. And continue to model that truth in our own lives.

It’s time to change the narrative.

This post originally appeared on Sarah Lango – Gracefilled Growth

 

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Articles by Sarah Lango

Sarah Lango

Sarah Lango is a momma of 3, wife, writer, speaker, Jesus follower, and coffee lover from small-town Missouri. She is the founder of Gracefilled Growth Ministries, where she writes about her faith, marriage, motherhood journey, and her new experience of being a “sick kids” mom. Her passion is to inspire others to live authentic lives, learning together, and embracing the grace that God so lovingly offers. You can read more of Sarah’s writing at www.gracefilledgrowth.com.

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