It’s only January, and in our house we have already had two rounds of colds each, plus that nasty norovirus over Christmas. I was seriously concerned that we would run out of barf buckets. Fun times. Personally, I vacillate between feeling so sorry and sad for my kiddos when they are sick and wanting to sprint out the door to the nearest MBTA station. In an effort to better cope, I thought I’d put together a survival guide for when the kids are sick.
1. Stock up
At the first sign of sniffles, I buy extra soft tissues, saline spray, chest rub, and our preferred cold medicine. I’d rather have too much of these than have to drag my sick kiddo out to pick up more Motrin. I also stock up on popsicles and chicken soup. Most importantly, I purchase extra wine. It’s also medicinal, right?
2. Let screen time limits go out the window
We’re usually pretty good about turning off the television after a show or two. But when someone’s sick, that all flies out the window. It’s nostalgic for me to cuddle on the couch with my favorite blanket and big pillow and watch more cartoons than necessary. Let it happen. Your child’s brain is already mushy from the sniffles. Why not let him mush a little bit more?
3. Bend the rules
I’m pretty strict when it comes to the “no food outside the kitchen” rule, but when the kids are sick I will let them bring their snacks and drinks (with lids!) on the couch. I think it makes them feel a teeny bit better to break a big rule while not feeling well.
4. Soak up the cuddles
The only benefit to your little one being under the weather is the inevitable amount of snuggling they’ll want. So cancel all plans, and don’t think about the chores piling up. Just get into your pajamas, too, and bask in it.
5. Call in the reinforcements
Once your child is past the point of contagion, give grandma a call. It will be good for everyone to see a fresh face. Even better is if grandma (or a hearty babysitter) is willing to stay with your child so you can get out and run a few backlogged errands or pick up more wine.
6. Have a “feel better bag”
Have some secret toys, stickers, books, or movies in reserve. Let your sickie choose a surprise out of a “feel better bag.” I swear my older daughter would be sick every week in order to pull out a new Shopkin.
7. Brace yourself
Even if all the kids get sick simultaneously or each get a bad cold in succession, rendering you housebound for more than a week, absolutely nothing compares to the man cold. So you must brace yourself, mommy warrior. Because if daddy catches this malady, the sky is certainly falling.
