By 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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