Beating the Sick Day Blues

by Jennifer Gregory

With cold and flu season upon us, you will probably find yourself spending an unexpected day or even a week at home with a sick child. Try to resist the urge to catch up on work or housework and take advantage of the time with your child. If you have multiple children and don’t feel like you get to focus enough on one child at a time, sick days can be a great opportunity to give your child extra attention. Child Specialist, Debbie Mancini-Wilson says that when parents spend sick days bonding with their child “the child gets one-on-one time with you while getting to feel better and building memories that will last a lifetime.”

Cuddle up with Your Kid

When your child is sick enough to lay on the couch or bed all day, take the opportunity to snuggle up with him. While limiting television is a good habit, consider bending the rules on sick days and watch movies or television shows together. If you are home several days, consider borrowing some DVDs or video games from a friend so that your child has some “new-to-them” entertainment.

A fun way to pass the time, especially when you will be home together for several days, is to read a chapter book aloud to your child. Pick up a book that you enjoyed as a child and share it with your own child. If you are both sick, have your spouse or a friend pick up an audio book from the library and listen to the book together.

Create Sick Day Rituals

Some families have certain routines to help make sick days a little more special. One idea is to let the sick child eat her meals in bed or on the couch using a special TV tray. You can also have a “feel better” blanket you only use for sick kids to snuggle under.

When Jen Goode’s kids are sick she creates a “camp out” area in the living room for the sick kids. She finds that her sick child can see what is going on in the house while staying calm and resting. Make the area comfortable with plenty of blankets, sleeping bags and pillows. You can use an indoor tent or make your own with a sheet over a chair.

Feast on Fun Sick Day Foods and Drinks

It is important that sick children keep drinking fluids even if they don't feel like it.  Dr. Heather Orman-Lubell , pediatrician and mom of two kids, tells parents “when their child is sick not to worry if they are not eating normally, but to encourage them to drink.” She suggests that parents offer their children juices, Jell-O, frozen juice, popsicles, and sorbet if their child is resisting drinking.

When Dr. Orman-Lubell is home with her sick kids and their appetite is beginning to return, she has them help her make soup or cookies for them to eat because kids are often more interested in foods that they help prepare. She also reminds parents that when their children are sick that it is OK to let them eat what they are hungry for, even if it isn’t a food that they would typically be allowed to eat. Once your child is feeling better, you can have her return to healthy eating patterns.

Make a Sick Day Box

Once your child begins feeling better but has not been symptom-free long enough to return to school or daycare, she will probably be off the couch and looking for entertainment. A great way to help ward off the boredom is to create a special box with toys and craft items to be used only on sick days. When the child is well, put the items back into the box and hide it in a secret place. Be sure to replenish and update items in the box on a regular basis.

Before your child gets sick, shop the dollar stores and sales for coloring books, sticker books, Lego sets, and books. You can even stash away a present from birthdays or holidays to put in the box. “Magna Doodles are especially great because there are no crayons or markers to hunt down, and the kids can color in bed or on the couch rather than just at the table,” says Good. Another idea is to find a fun craft on a website such as www.FamilyFun.com or www.dltk-kids.com,  collect all the supplies necessary, and put them in the sick box so that you are ready when your child is sick.

Pamper Yourself

Taking care of a sick child can be very draining on the parent.  To be able to nurture your child, you need to be sure that you are taking care of yourself. Keep yourself hydrated and remember to fix healthy meals for yourself even if your child does not feel like eating. If possible, take some time for yourself when your spouse is home and can be on sick-kid duty.

If you are up with your child during the night, you need to catch up on your sleep when you can. “When your child is sick and not sleeping well, try to follow the advice given to parents of newborns and sleep when your child sleeps,” says Dr. Orman-Lubell.  If possible, try to share night duties with your spouse.

Before you know it your child will be feeling better and back to normal. By having some fun and spending time together, you will help reduce the stress of having a sick child and hopefully even make some memories.

Jennifer Gregory is a freelance writer and mom of two kids.