How to Care for Your Children when You Are Sick

When you are a stay at home parent and you get sick who will take care of your children? More than likely that job will still fall on your sick shoulders. Here are a few tips from this stay at home mom of three busy little girls on how to care for your children when you are sick.

Confined to One Room- I find that the easiest way to keep tabs on all of your children while sick is to just confine everyone to one room. That could be your familyroom or your bedroom. Just fix it so that everyone has to stay within your line of sight, all in the same room. Doing this will help you be able to rest while still being able to keep an eye on everyone. There's nothing worse than feeling nauseated and hearing that someone has spilled milk in their bedroom floor or someone is playing the toilet or some other normal household problem that can arise when the children are out of sight. Keeping everyone confined to one room, preferrably one close to the bathroom, is a good idea when you are sick.

Help From Older Siblings- If you have older children it is time to use them. I know that sounds bad but it's true. Older children can help out when you are sick. They can play games with the younger children, help refill sippy cups and even answer the phone for you while you are tending to that nauseated stomach in the bathroom. Most older siblings will enjoy trading roles with the parent who is sick. They will take care of you just like you take care of them when they are sick. You will have to consider your older child's age before you decide how much they can help you with.

Keep Foods Simple- When you are sick and still caring for your children there is no reason to make giant meals. Keep it sweet and simple for everyone in the house, yourself included. There's no harm in everyone having a simple sandwich or hotdog for lunch instead of making some that is more difficult. You must take it easy and being up making extravegant meals is not taking it easy. So keep the food menu short and sweet. If you are home alone with the children through several meals and snacks then keep them all simple. Snacks can be anything from cheese and crackers, fruits, veggies to just about anything that is easy to make.

Utilize the Television- Yes, yes we all know that we aren't suppose to let the children watch tons of television every day but I can assure you that one day of television will not harm your children. There are so many children's cartoons on television these days that it's very easy to find something that your children will watch. If all else fails just let the kids pick out their favorite DVD, pop some microwave popcorn and let them enjoy while you are laying on the couch.

Play Music- Children love music. What better way to keep them entertained than to play the music that they enjoy. Play their music and watch them dance. They will entertain themselves and probably you too while they dance and sing along.

Naptime- If your children still take naps you need to take full advantage of naptime. When your chidlren lay down for their nap you need to lay down for a nap too. Do not pass up this opportunity. You need your rest. Don't worry about the dishes or the laundry, just rest when you have the chance.

Skip the Schedule- Schedules are important but not when you are sick. Forget about the schedule. Throw it out the window. Your children will not be harmed by not going by the schedule for just one day. It is more important that you rest and get better than it is for the children to have twenty minutes of coloring time at exactly 2:30pm.

Just making it through the day is a top priority when you are sick and still having to tend to the needs of your children. Doing whatever it takes to keep everyone happy and still be able to get a little rest is the easiest route to take. If that means your children get to enjoy a two hour movie that you popped into your bedroom VCR just so you can rest in bed, then so be it. You do not have to be super-parent, you just have to survive the day at any means possible. It's only for one day and you will feel better tomorrow. One day of snacks and television won't hurt them and it will help you recover.