One Flu Bug Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
With cold and flu season in full swing, I have been so cooped up over the past two weeks caring for sick, stuffed up children that I was getting down to my very last nursing nerve. So many, many days …
But thanks to the miracle of antibiotics and Tim Horton’s coffee, both children and parent are now through the worst of it and are no longer on house arrest.
So for those of you facing the same fate, I’ve adapted a few front-line parenting tips to keep you and your sick child entertained this holiday season that I hope you’ll find as hellful as I did:
- Engage In Shared Playtime: If you find yourself hiding in the corner of your living room rocking back and forth, back and forth, feeling completely overwhelmed by the looming holidays, give your child the power switch on the extension cord and let him toggle the tree lights for you. On. Off. On. Off.
- Play Card Games: Easy card games like “Go Fish” are sure to amuse your fevered offspring for hours on end … and I mean H-O-U-R-S. You may find poking your eyes out with a sharp pencil will also entertain your little patient while serving as a necessary game concluder.
- Pull Out The Photo Albums: Looking at heartwarming pictures of happier family times from days gone by can … really make you resent the hell out of the present. Never mind. Put the bloody books away.
- Do Some Arts And Crafts: Have your child lie down on a piece of butcher paper and trace his outline with a black magic marker. (Note: If you haven’t slaughtered a cow in your own home recently, regular paper will have to do. Just tape some scraps together from that “craft box” you started five years ago, the one holding three broken crayon tips, a few toe nail clippings and your missing car keys.)
- Drink Plenty Of Fluids: In order to ensure your child stays well hydrated, try serving his juice with a Crazy Straw – it’ll up the fun factor and help take his mind off his feelings. As for your special “juice”, add it to your coffee cup and no one’s the wiser.
- Bake Some Holiday Treats: Working with your hands can help relieve your stress and take your child’s mind off his sickness, so whip up a batch of Christmas cookies together and pop them in the oven! When you’re done, use a spatula to gently remove the cookies from the tray … then throw every single one of them in the garbage. Your child is a walking cesspool of germs — what the hell were you thinking??
- Watch A Favourite Holiday Movie: Or ten.
These are all great ideas. Having sick kids at home doesn’t mean the day has to be gloomy. Take advantage of it and enjoy the extra bonding time. I haven’t butchered any cows, so I’ll have to stick with the regular (but clean) construction paper. 🙂
I’m all about the extra bonding time, I just prefer not to walk away from it with strep throat! But point well taken. 🙂
True! You have a point.
You have ALOT of patience on that list!!!! I can stay at home every day, and not be bothered by it, but the moment I’ve been MADE to stay home..because of a sick kid, I get stir crazy!!! It’s all in the presentation I guess! 🙂 Glad everyone is on the mend:)
I so hear you! I had planned to write elsewhere this morning, but it’s so pretty and snowy outside my living room window, I made a pot of tea and plunked myself down here at home … ALONE!!!!! Thanks T! 🙂
You have been house bound! Glad to hear you are back to normal once again, it isn’t much fun after day two is it!?
Or day twenty-two (did I mention my husband was down for a week too?!) Thanks Camilla!
You deserve a very large cocktail and neck massages from entire family over the Holidays! Lol
Always a smile over coffee…. Thanks for sharing and thanks for making it through with humor. 🙂
Thanks Sherry!
Signed, the girl in the plastic bubble (I am SO not getting sick before Christmas this year!!!)
Truly remarkable that you managed to keep your sense of humor through all this!
Believe me, it’s getting harder to find with time running out before Christmas. Fa la la la la-aaaaaaargh!!!
Helpful advice indeed! ‘Plenty of fluids’ – hear hear to that!
Santa’s little helper! 😉
I totally agree and understand! I was upset when mine son was home from school for just one day. He ruined my schedule and plans. I am one very grumpy mommy if I don’t get to the gym.
Oh, man…I’ve been there. Actually, just was there with my littlest one. Funny post!