Dear Parent Coach,
The sick season has started at our house, and everyone seems to have caught something. One child passes on their ailment to the second one, producing a never-ending sick cycle. When the kids are feeling bad enough to stay home from school, I feel guilty letting them watch DVDs all day. What other things might keep them entertained?
Signed,
Nurse Mom
Dear Mom,
You’re right, the after-holiday parade of illnesses has begun, and will predictably spread quickly both at school and throughout the family — one malady after another. So it’s best to be prepared. With a little forethought about both food and activities, you will be more ready to accept and weather the storm of winter illness.
Stock your winter cupboard with chicken noodle and other soups, crackers, 7-Up, mac and cheese, tea and toast, orange juice, apple sauce, jello and tapioca pudding, or whatever items make your children feel comforted when they’re sick.
Also purchase ingredients for at least three emergency evening meals, knowing it will be harder for you to run out to the grocery store for supplies when children are at home.
Make a trip to the pharmacy now to get a fresh supply of all the remedies you like best for colds and flu. Other comfort items might include flannel sheets, a hot water bottle, a moist air vaporizer and a good supply of Kleenex.
Here are some additional ideas that may help your sick children — and you — get through the day or days at home. Of course, each child will come up with some creative ideas of their own as well:
1. Set up a “breakfast in bed” tray for doing activities in bed.
2. Save a special “sick day box” with new activities reserved only for those days at home (new books, music and book CDs, new crayons or markers and paper, stickers, simple crafts, Etch a Sketch, paper dolls, a flashlight, small toys, Legos, etc.)
3. Take time to play a board game or teach a new card game to your child.
4. For young children, a mid-day bath with toys and bathtub finger paints can break up the boredom.
5. Gather favorite stuffed animals to share the sick bed.
6. Food delivered on a tray is always a treat. Cut sandwiches into stars. Use flex straws for drinks. “toast fingers” (toast cut into thin rectangles) were our family “sick-day” favorite. Baked apples make the whole house smell good, resulting in yummy cinnamon applesauce.
7. Give a back rub or foot massage (for a long illness). Use essential oils to comfort.
8. Place a bell by your child’s bed to ring for help (limit hourly rings!).
9. Your child might want to hang out in the family room during the day for a change of scenery.
10. Let your child build a fort with blankets over the dining room table. Serve lunch in the cave.
11. A little screen time is OK — a portable DVD player or laptop in bed is extra fun.
12. Let your child be apart of your “at home” work – like helping you fold laundry or baking cookies.
13. Read several favorite books aloud to your child — climb in bed with them — or start a chapter book.
14. Play some soothing music for afternoon rest time.
15. Have afternoon tea with your child.
16. In the afternoon, bundle up and take a short walk in the fresh air!
17. If necessary, contact your child’s teacher for homework. Alternate doing homework with a fun activity.
Granted, having a child at home will cause an interruption in your day’s plans. It can be very frustrating to have to alter what you wanted to get accomplished, to cancel the lunch date you were looking forward to with a friend, miss a weekly class you attend or a work obligation.
Try to rearrange your busy day so you can relax and spend some special time with your child — they will love this rare, one-on-one time and attention, and you may actually enjoy a slower paced day at home. The errands can wait.
Remember that what sick children may crave most when they aren’t feeling well is just a little extra TLC from Mom.
Remind yourself that this won’t last forever, although it may seem like it when child No. 2 comes down with the same illness.
When you begin to get a case of cabin fever, give yourself a lift, and ask a friend to bring you a latte or your favorite salad from Green Street. Spend a little time sharing with her how challenging motherhood can be. She’ll understand, and that will help.
Ultimately, your focused care and availability may prove to be the best remedy for any illness your child has this winter.
