It has happened again: the dreaded bug has gone around your child’s school or daycare and has unfortunately reached your household with a vengeance. Being a parent is already the toughest job out there, but with the extra needs that come with an unwell child, your job is about to get tougher.
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Don’t fret, because there are ways to keep you sane and healthy while tending to your child. The most important thing to do right now is to devote your energy to helping your child feel as comfortable as possible while riding out the bug and keeping yourself healthy in mind, body and spirit at the same time.
1. Treat The Whole family As Though They Are Sick
This doesn’t mean give everyone in the household medicine, of course. This just means making sure everyone ups their vitamin C and liquid intake and that everyone washes their hands as often as possible.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that washing your hands frequently and thoroughly is incredibly important not only in helping yourself not to get sick, but also to stop spreading the germs all-together.
If it is the stomach bug that has taken over, make bland yet nutritious meals for the whole family to help keep everyone nourished with foods that won’t create upset stomachs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that washing your hands frequently and thoroughly is incredibly important not only in helping yourself not to get sick, but also to stop spreading the germs all-together.
If it is the stomach bug that has taken over, make bland yet nutritious meals for the whole family to help keep everyone nourished with foods that won’t create upset stomachs.
2. Understand That Your Routine Will Change And That’s Okay
You won’t have the same daily routine for you or your child that either of you are used to, and that is okay. If you begin by removing all preconceived ideas of how the week of sickness will play out, you will have a much easier time.
We all know that high expectations are hard to meet, so just don’t have any! Then any little achievement throughout the week will feel extra-satisfying. That little smile instead of a tear or being able to sleep through a whole night will feel so victorious.
We all know that high expectations are hard to meet, so just don’t have any! Then any little achievement throughout the week will feel extra-satisfying. That little smile instead of a tear or being able to sleep through a whole night will feel so victorious.
3. Plan Ahead
If you find yourself between nap times or in the evening with enough energy to make a meal, make a double batch of an easy, healthy dish to prepare you for the upcoming chaotic days. You will be so happy that you have a nutritious meal in the fridge already made.
Also, if your healthy children have sports practice or other weekend or evening plans, plan now how they will get to and from the events by perhaps enlisting help from a family member or friend. Even if you hope your little one will feel better by then, it is better to be prepared and have things sorted out now to relieve future stress or last-minute disasters.
4. Treat Yourself
Treating yourself in any way you can throughout the week can help keep you going. This means not only treating yourself to a delicious sweet or savory indulgent snack, but also treating yourself to something that may help make life with an ill toddler easier!
This could be a new cleaning product that is pricey but worth it to clean the house quicker to get rid of those pesky germs. Or it could be a new blanket to replace the one you have now given to your sick child to comfort and warm them. Anything to make life for you and your child easier and a little bit sweeter is exactly what you both need.
5. Don’t Worry About Previous Engagements
Whether you planned to attend a neighbor’s housewarming party or offered to bring the orange slices to the upcoming little league game, don’t worry too much. People will understand that something important has come up. Ask a friend to help take over any responsibilities you had such as bringing the snack to the game.
If you have to postpone or cancel on any social gatherings, just explain the situation and apologize for missing the event. Even if some of the people you have to cancel on do not have children, they have definitely all had sick days and will completely understand that your child relies on you and needs you first and foremost.
6. Eat Your Greens
The Cleveland Clinic recommends a myriad of foods to keep you healthy, with a top choice being leafy greens. This is because of the high amount of vitamin C found in vegetables such as spinach, kale and brussel sprouts. Of course, vitamin C is also found in citrus fruit, too, and that might be more palatable to your sick one. But for yourself, take in as much of the healthiest foods you can to ensure you don’t fall sick, too.
Harvard Health agrees that even though there is still much research to be done on the immune system, living a healthy lifestyle, including eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help your immune system function at optimum levels.
7. Make Bath Time Lots Of Fun—For You!
There is not much more relaxing than an amazing bubble bath. Set up a calm, serene environment in your bathroom after your ill child has gone to sleep for the night. Get a good book and some soft music, light a few candles, and allow yourself to completely relax in the warm bath while you take some time to yourself. Keeping yourself de-stressed and relaxed is so important for your mental well-being during
Keeping yourself de-stressed and relaxed is so important for your mental well-being during high-stress times. Remembering to take some time to yourself—even just for those twenty minutes before bedtime—can help reset you for the energy you’ll need for the next day.
8. Sleep Sleep And More Sleep!
Everyone knows the importance of a good night’s sleep. But a good night’s sleep is very hard to get when your sleep is interrupted multiple times in a night due to your sweet child feeling unwell. This is when getting the most sleep as possible in a long stretch is important. If you cannot sleep through the night, try to supplement with naps.
The reason sleep is so important is to give your brain time to reset and store memories of the day. Without sufficient sleep your brain has serious problems functioning at top levels, meaning you are not at the top of your game. A power nap of twenty minutes can seriously help with keeping you alert for the rest of your busy day.
9. Vitamins For Everyone!
You already know the importance of eating your vitamins and nutrients by feasting on leafy greens and citrus fruits. But this is also the perfect time to take a multivitamin if you don’t already. Taking a multivitamin can help the body keep up with nutrients that you aren’t getting enough of on a daily basis, helping boost your immune system’s response.
After all, if you get sick too, who will help take care of the rest of the family? A simple daily multivitamin can do wonders for your health and energy. And if your children are old enough to take one as well, no kid can resist children’s gummy vitamins! You can’t go wrong with a sweet treat that helps keep them healthy.
