Mums should be exempt from getting sick (plus a giveaway!)

This post is sponsored by Wellwoman and Digital Parents Collective.

See below for a great giveaway!

Remember when you'd play chasing games as a kid, there would always be a zone called 'barley'? It was a safe spot that you could stop and know you couldn't be 'got' - except there was always that kid who ignored the rules and got you anyway.

Falling sick is like a game of chasey, and motherhood should be barley - but sometimes that illness comes and gets you regardless.

Yep, mums should be exempt from getting sick; all we're trying to do is look after our families and keep things running smoothly. But when an illness strikes a mum the whole 'smoothly' part of that sentence stops and instead we're left trying to look after everyone as well as find some time and space to recuperate. It's just life being mean while we're screaming, "Barley! This is meant to be BARLEY!"

During Iris's babyhood I've been struck down with a few minor things: mastitis (repeatedly), migraines, flu, gastro... even a few nightmare days with both mastitis and gastro at the same time. Totally unfair. I couldn't keep anything down, I was feverish - and yet, still had to feed a baby.

It took a while for me to find a way to look after my own wellbeing amidst the chaos of a newborn and having two kids. It's really hard to look after others, look after their health and your own, fit in everything that needs to be done plus a few things that each of you want to do, not push so far that you get run down, and stay sane at the same time. (Anyone feeling exhausted yet?)

But like I say, those are minor illnesses in the scheme of things. What happens if something worse hits - the really tough bully kid getting us in the supposed barley location?

My Mum had breast cancer many years back now. With four kids to look after, a job to hold down, bills to pay and everything else that comes with life, well, it was tough going in so many ways for her and for all of us. I don't know how she did it, but Mum pulled herself and all of us out of that hole. But these things have lasting effects.

I sat in denial for years. It was only after Abbey was born that I started checking myself regularly and agreeing to tests to gauge the genetic risk. I guess it suddenly clicked that hoping I wouldn't get breast cancer wasn't enough of an effort, and I knew I had to give my girls the information they'll need to look after themselves.

And so we hope, we cross our fingers, and then we do whatever is within our power to stay on top of our wellbeing.

It’s good to know that these days there’s an option to help out if things like that do happen. AIG Direct now has cancer insurance – they call it ‘Wellwoman’ – which covers seven types of female cancers. This means that a payment of between $25,000 and $45,000 upon diagnosis can help with your family and lifestyle and allow you to focus on getting well.

Because realising that there isn't a 'barley' on motherhood only makes you value your health more than ever.

This post is sponsored by Wellwoman - a cancer insurance aimed specifically at female cancers. Click on the image to find out more.

Giveaway: an hour all to yourself!

One reader will win a one hour full body and mind massage with thanks to RedBalloon, valued at $110.

Just leave a comment telling me: What do you love to do in your 'me time'?

The best answer wins! Click here to see the full terms and conditions of this giveaway. Competition ends at 11.59pm on 30th April 2013. Good luck!