When kids are sick, it's hard. But when you're sick too, it's so much more difficult. The days are long, and the imagination goes into overdrive to make the day as pleasant as possible. We all know that mums who are sick don't get a day off, and with a husband away and two kids with tonsilitis (and Mummy too), this weekend I went into survival mode:
- Change your expectations immediately. When you and the kids are sick, nothing will go according to plan. Minimise housework for the next few days. High priority is now placed on caring for you and your kidlets.
- Cancel your plans. If you had plans in the next few days, it's best to cancel them. Those outings can wait. You don't want to share this type of love anyway. Trying to get healthy kids out of the house is hard enough, let alone being sick and miserable (that's you and them).
- Assess the bug. If you think a doctor's appointment is necessary, call now. I called my doctor's surgery at 8:30am on Saturday, and couldn't get in until 7:30pm. Good thing I called straight away. I might have completely missed out.
- Medicate. Make your child as comfortable as possible. Whatever it takes. Panadol, Honey & Lemon, a herbal mix... and that includes you too.
- Prepare some food. If you're sick, the last thing you want to do is more than what is absolutely necessary. But making a lunch box or a fruit platter for the kids (and you) left where all can access is the best idea ever. When the kids are hungry, they can snack on carrot sticks, kiwi fruit and dry biscuits without needing you to prepare anything for them. And if everyone's sick, then healthy and light foods work the best. And you can all graze all day.
- Think quiet toys. This is the time to pull out anything you can sit and do with the kids. Think cards, Thomas The Tank Engine set, books, DVDs. Warm blankets on the lounge. The lot.
- Rest. This is the time to coordinate everyone's sleep. And sleeping is necessary. For all of you.
- Get out of your jammies... eventually. As nice as it is to sloth it in your jammies until 3pm, its nice to have a shower and wash your hair. And it makes you feel better. (Even if you put in a fresh pair of pyjamas on afterwards.)
- Keep a routine. It's hard enough to keep a routine when your fit and healthy, let alone sick and tired. But the kids (and you) need it more than ever.
- Call in the Calvary. If you can't do it on your own, seek support. You're sick and so are your kids. If family, friends or neighbours can help you, then don't hesitate to ask or accept offers of help.
Wise advice!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice!! I sooooo hate being sick - I'm so grateful my kiddos are just that bit older now (except for my toddler of course) that when we are all sick they can either understand, or help me when they are feeling better (I always seem to get sick just as they are recovering)
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean you have been unwell?? Hope you're all okay :-)
xxxCate
Get well soon, all of you. Can I add to your list that when given a course of antibiotics which you know you have no allergy to, always take a double first dose. It is what we do in hospital and it gives you a whack to get on top of the bacteria.
ReplyDeleteThank so much ladies, and Vanessa, that advice is GOLDEN. I'm going to remember this. Next time. Damn it, I've already dosed up my boys! But next time. Definitely next time. xx
ReplyDeleteOh I so hear you this week. We have (Shannon and I) been sick the last few days and Matilda has watched WAY too much Tv. So much so that when I asked her yesterday where she lived, she responded with 'ABC for kids on 2!' Hmmm... looking forward to getting better so I can retrieve my child from TV land. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Jodi, that is so funny! I think Madison has been watching more tellie than I'd like too. But I'm consoling myself in the fact that there will be almost none very soon! I love holidays. And once I'm up and running again, we'll be out all day, every day! xx
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