Having a sick kid sucks. Having a sick kid when you have other children to care for sucks even more. Having a sick kid when you have other LITTLE children... you get the idea. I think the only thing worse would be if I was sick, or my husband was home sick. So, how do you care for a sick kid when you have other littles at home to care for that are very well? Here is what I've learned on this topic over the last 4 years of having more than 1 kid.
1. Your plans are now obsolete. Do not deny it. Do not try and go on with regularly scheduled programming.
2. Turn on the T.V. Now, there are some who have kids who won't watch t.v. so I'm obviously not talking to you. But the "only let them watch t.v. for 30 minutes a day" concept is also obsolete. Turn that thing on! For everyone! It occupies the poor sickling and gets her mind off of how incredibly crappy she feels. The other children are also happy because they get to watch t.v. and aren't focused on how mom isn't paying them any attention. It gives mom a break. You can still do dishes and laundry and play with or nurse your baby. Because even though someone is sick, your domestic responsibilities are still there awaiting. And if there is puke, there is laundry.
3. Be prepared. Pull out your towels. Cover your non-leather couch and an area of your carpet and keep the puker in that area.
4. If you have a puker, now is the time to explain what it feels like to need to throw up. Give them a bowl for starters. Don't try to teach littles to run to the toilet. You'll end up with a mess. Little sips of peppermint water, lemon water, Pedialyte, or vitamin water helps keep stuff down while staying hydrated. No matter what they tell you, LITTLE SIPS. Like every 10-15 minutes. If a puker doesn't want to drink, popsicles do great! Pedialyte makes popsicles, but even the sugar ones still have water in them and will work if that's all you have on hand. This is great stuff to always have on hand for times like this. You can't run to the store for items with all your helpers when one of them is down. If you already have it, it will save you time and sanity. So go ahead and put your sick-prep on your next grocery list.
5. Upper respiratory problems? Let me preface this by saying I'm not talking about asthma or allergy related respiratory stuff. That's in a league of it's own. I'm talking about RSV, extreme colds and sinus infections that affect normal breathing. If your child is gasping for air, please call 9-1-1! If they have a ton of drainage and even sound like a coffee pot, this is what has helped me.
First, get a stethoscope! It is great to be able to know if you have clogged lungs or a snotty esophagus. Even better is to take it to your pedi next time, and let her/him teach you how to use it and what to listen for.
Second, get a breathing machine! We were able to get a hefty script for albuterol last year. It's fantastic to be able to drop that steroid in and give a breathing treatment to a child who sounds funny breathing. We've delt with croup and RSV too many times to not have one. It has saved us from that initial trip to the doc and the middle of the night ER visit. That little machine completely relaxes their breathing muscles. Obviously talk to your pedi first. Ours is pretty awesome!
Third, oils! I can't say enough awesome things about essential oils. Pure Eucalyptus in a diffuser will open up those sinus cavities and they sleep like a husband! Morning diffuser of peppermint is great to wake up too. I'm a baby oiler, so I'm still learning.
6. Get them outside! Not only does fresh air and breaking the cabin fever do wonders for the body, the sun carries that crucial vitamin that boosts an immune system. That's why we don't get as sick in the warmer months. We get more Vitamin D. We sat outside today to help fight off this tummy bug, and prayerfully prevent it in everyone else. A3 sat in my lap and munched on saltines. The other 3 played. Win-win!
7. Dinner needs to be easy! You've planned a 5-course meal? Tell your man he's getting cereal tonight. Your other kids will remember that your the cool mom who lets them have popcorn for dinner. You can continue to care for your sick one. And your sick one won't sick all over you cause you smell up the house with the same things that they've been upchucking all day.
8. Snuggle. That's sounds like a no-brainer, but seriously. I'm one who won't sit and watch a show with my kids outside of family movie-night. But on these days, I do it. I sit and snuggle and watch whatever. I remember when we had the flu a few years ago. Everyone got it, but it was staggered. My kids loved the show Horseland at the time. I'm pretty sure I have now seen every episode 3 times because I sat down and snuggled. Since all I did was dishes and laundry, I had the time.
9. Your 1st priority is your sicko. Then the younger ones. Then the older ones. Then you. Normally I would say you need to take care of yourself first. Not this time. It doesn't work when you are well and you are caring for one that isn't. You take that backseat and know that the Lord is pleased with your service. He will give you the strength and energy to care for your children when they need you most. And when they're sleeping, spend some time praying that no one else gets it. Cause that's probably the suckiest!
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