A little while back, I asked you nice folks if your guy was good at taking care of you when you are a snotty, coughing, headache-y mess. With literally everyone currently suffering from/getting over/likely being exposed to the flu, I figured it was a good time to look at some of the responses my question got.
Much to my surprise, it got quite a response. I discussed how I'm old fashioned when it comes to taking care of your sick significant other. This is what I said a guy should do when his girlfriend/wife/person he's seriously dating is sick:
"And I don't mean just making them chicken soup. I mean hold their hair back if they're puking. Make sure the house is stocked with medicine, juice, Gatorade, etc. plus any other supplies they need to make them feel better. This can include, but is not limited to, books, DVDs, comics, vitamins, tissues, video games, and whatever else they need. Maybe get them flowers too, provided they aren't allergic..."
This led to a wide variety of responses.
Some people shared stories of good boyfriends and hubbies:
Cared-for reveals: Yes he takes care of me, massages, keeping an eye on my temp and determining if this is ER material or not, soup and fluids as well as letting me know he still finds me sexy and if needed, even cleaning up my vomit.
Lilz said: My bf is an EMT so he goes a little overboard when I'm sick :) It's really sweet but sometimes I just don't feel like having someone all up in my pancakes when I don't feel good. Last fall I got sick and he drove me f'ing nuts asking when he could bring soup over. I don't like to have others around when I don't feel good, I want to just be in bed and blow snot into kleenexes, take hour long showers, and be free to sleep if I need to...
While others had sadder tales:
That Lady said: I take care of him every time he's sick or even has a tooth ache or "has a headache" its a different story with me though, all he does is look at me unsympatherically and says "do u want to go to the hospitol?". and keeps watching tv.
Lisa said: nope.. not even a phone call. He told me he didnt get a chance to come around and see me.. and sorry. Its depressing... my family does me the same way.
A guy, Perry, chimed in and revealed that he takes good care of his girlfriend when she's sick, but she barely does the same. He says, "This is a bit unequal--but what we've settled into." He goes on to recount a moving tale about how his mom takes care of his ill dad and how he doesn't think he would feel comfortable having his girlfriend be in that position.
Dominique asked: Here's a question - at what point in a relationship do you let that nurturing side out?
If you've gone on a few dates and like the guy and your nurturing side is coming out, don't fight it. If he gets scared off, well, that's his loss.
Silkysly asks: What about the guy who is there holding your hand at the pet hospital, when you dog is hit by a car & requires surgery? (I'm still trying to figure this one out.)
Now that one's a keeper.
So in this cold and flu season, are you taking care of someone? Is someone taking care of you? Are you taking care of yourself? Share your stories.
RELATED LINKS
Does Your Guy Take Care of You When You're Sick?
I have the flu. My boyfriend dropped off food but didn't stay since he doesn't have health insurance. Is this okay?
Much to my surprise, it got quite a response. I discussed how I'm old fashioned when it comes to taking care of your sick significant other. This is what I said a guy should do when his girlfriend/wife/person he's seriously dating is sick:
"And I don't mean just making them chicken soup. I mean hold their hair back if they're puking. Make sure the house is stocked with medicine, juice, Gatorade, etc. plus any other supplies they need to make them feel better. This can include, but is not limited to, books, DVDs, comics, vitamins, tissues, video games, and whatever else they need. Maybe get them flowers too, provided they aren't allergic..."
This led to a wide variety of responses.
Some people shared stories of good boyfriends and hubbies:
Cared-for reveals: Yes he takes care of me, massages, keeping an eye on my temp and determining if this is ER material or not, soup and fluids as well as letting me know he still finds me sexy and if needed, even cleaning up my vomit.
Lilz said: My bf is an EMT so he goes a little overboard when I'm sick :) It's really sweet but sometimes I just don't feel like having someone all up in my pancakes when I don't feel good. Last fall I got sick and he drove me f'ing nuts asking when he could bring soup over. I don't like to have others around when I don't feel good, I want to just be in bed and blow snot into kleenexes, take hour long showers, and be free to sleep if I need to...
While others had sadder tales:
That Lady said: I take care of him every time he's sick or even has a tooth ache or "has a headache" its a different story with me though, all he does is look at me unsympatherically and says "do u want to go to the hospitol?". and keeps watching tv.
Lisa said: nope.. not even a phone call. He told me he didnt get a chance to come around and see me.. and sorry. Its depressing... my family does me the same way.
A guy, Perry, chimed in and revealed that he takes good care of his girlfriend when she's sick, but she barely does the same. He says, "This is a bit unequal--but what we've settled into." He goes on to recount a moving tale about how his mom takes care of his ill dad and how he doesn't think he would feel comfortable having his girlfriend be in that position.
Dominique asked: Here's a question - at what point in a relationship do you let that nurturing side out?
If you've gone on a few dates and like the guy and your nurturing side is coming out, don't fight it. If he gets scared off, well, that's his loss.
Silkysly asks: What about the guy who is there holding your hand at the pet hospital, when you dog is hit by a car & requires surgery? (I'm still trying to figure this one out.)
Now that one's a keeper.
So in this cold and flu season, are you taking care of someone? Is someone taking care of you? Are you taking care of yourself? Share your stories.
RELATED LINKS
Does Your Guy Take Care of You When You're Sick?
I have the flu. My boyfriend dropped off food but didn't stay since he doesn't have health insurance. Is this okay?
My boyfriend says he can't afford (professionally) to take care of me when I'm sick. I get to sleep in his bed and he checks up on me every now and then and just asks "do you want to go to the hospital?" This may sound like he does a lot. But, he actually gets annoyed when I'm sick for long periods of time (which I sometimes do) and he refuses to kiss me. What do you guys think? A keeper? Or am I being harsh?
My bf and I do it equally. I make chicken soup and he buys/brings over medicine and orange juice and we snuggle under a blanket and watch netflix. Doesn't matter if one or both of us our sick.
It's a lot nicer than it sounds; at lease to us it is.
I got double infections on a trip to Disney World he surprised me with for my birthday. Immediately took me to the doctor, comforted me, and acted like he didn't care I looked like an absolute mess. Held my hand, hugged and kissed me, shared a bed even tho the doctor said I was infectious (I wasn't thankfully) and he HATES infections. Took me for a walk on the beach after he made sure an allergic reaction I was having was taken care of (hives are ugly), and watched like a hawk to make sure it didn't happen again. Haven't had an opportunity to be around him while he's sick, but when he wasn't feeling top notch said "I can take care of myself, but I really appreciate the thought" when I was too far away to help. My nurturing instincts made being that far away from him at the time really suck.
My boyfriend takes awesome care of me when I'm sick. I thought of this post today when I was finally struck down with the flu.
I told him I was missing work and why and he called me while on shift (which he never does-its not allowed) and changed all of his plans to include coming to my house to take care of me
And he's bringing me the 39" tv he bought me a week ago so I can watch Netflix in my room when he does have to leave (he does designated driving)
I thought it was sweet I didn't even have to ask. He's always right by my side when I'm sick :)
@Nick great post. I love your thoughts on taking care of someone when they're sick, it just makes you feel good :) But I have a question...He's just a friend, we've met up at the movies twice and talk a lot. So I was sick and he's like I'd take your temp, cuddle to keep you warm, watch movies, and take care of you. This just makes me go aw....What should I think? Thanks for your help ~ KLS
I was told to go to the er because I was so sick and it was a 33 mile drive. The on call nurse didn't want me to drive. It turns out I have influenza b. I called my boyfriend of 8 years and he said that really sucks but I can't help you. Let me know when you are not contagious and then I can help. I sure look at things differently now.
With literally everyone currently suffering from/getting over/likely being exposed to the flu, I figured it was a good time to look at some of the responses my question got.
With literally everyone currently suffering from/getting over/likely being exposed to the flu, I figured it was a good time to look at some of the responses my question got.