This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Similasan.
After I became a mama, one of the things I realized pretty quickly is that I like a little structure in our daily routine. I try not to be regimented, but I’m definitely a fan of establishing clear guidelines with our son. Nothing fancy or complicated – just simple stuff like making sure that homework is done before afternoon playtime, limiting video games to the weekends, making sure the dirty clothes go into (and not just in the general vicinity of) the laundry basket, and feeding the dog. And when those guidelines get ignored, I’ve been known to offer some gentle reminders and heartfelt encouragement to OBEY THE RULES, POR FAVOR.
But if there’s anything that gets me off of my let’s-stick-to-the-routine game, it’s seeing our little guy when he doesn’t feel so well. There’s something about a sick child that just turns my heart to mush, and the first time our son got really sick – when he was about one and a half – I turned into some sort of domestic genie. HIS WISH WAS MY COMMAND.
These days – now that he’s a great big first grader – I’m really no different when any sort of illness enters our family equation. I stop short of walking around with an order pad and a pen, but I might as well considering that I pepper him with questions about all the possible things that might make him feel better.
Sprite?
Crackers?
Crushed ice?
Cold rag?
Another episode of Phineas and Ferb?
Another 16 episodes of Phineas and Ferb?
Another blanket?
A brand new car on your 16th birthday?
YOU BETCHA.
Last year our little guy was sick for about a week with the flu, and the first few days of it just broke my heart. He was so lethargic, so not-at-all-himself, and all we could do to help him was to give him ibuprofen and lots of liquids. He stayed in one spot on the couch for two solid days, and I couldn’t walk past him without reaching down to feel his little forehead. We just couldn’t get that fever to break.
Bless him.
On the third or fourth day, though, things got tricky. He started feeling pretty good – but that high fever continued to linger. So while he really seemed to think that he could run circles around the house, his temperature indicated otherwise. And we had to find ways to keep him entertained that wouldn’t interfere with getting him well.
We watched “Finding Nemo” about nine times, played cards, battled through some Connect Four marathons and read more books than I could count. I bought the markers that you can use to draw on window panes, then quickly realized that I was going to be scrubbing them off of my windows for THE REST OF MY LIFE and decided to haul out all our coloring books instead. Our little boy loves mazes, and he blazed through every single maze he could get his hands on. We gave the no-Wii-during-the-week rule a temporary hiatus and let him play to his heart’s content (as long as he was sitting down and not imitating all of Mario’s awesome jump moves).
And do you know what? The last part of that week was just the sweetest time. A sick child has a way of putting life back into crystal clear perspective, and I found myself being much more mindful of our blessings as a family. When that fever FINALLY broke on day seven, I was relieved, no doubt about it – and I was also very grateful for the sweet memories that we’d made in the midst of some unexpected circumstances.
So what about you? What are some things you do with the kids in your life when they’re under the weather? How do you make the days a little more fun and bearable for them? Leave a comment with your answer, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of BlogHer.
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This giveaway will end on Thursday, November 18th.
Thanks for participating, everybody!
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Color books, videos, and a good old fashioned blanket tent makes any kid (big or little) feel a little bit better.
I also don’t have kids, but I buy the hubby gatorade, make chicken soup, and rent him all the action movies he wants.
Lots and Lots of cuddles, special movies and quiet story times together on the couch!
i play video games with my little cousin, she loves pokemon lol
songyueyu at gmail
i tweeted:http://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/27880084775
Lots of everything, whatever she wants. Sweets? Sure. Books? You betcha. Movies? Not a problem. Tissues, cough drops, popsicles, ice cream…of course. Lots and lots of love above all!
My son is not normally a game person, but when he is sick we pull all the games out and he will play…sorry, battleship, life, cards, skipbo, rumicube. I love being with him and he feels better that he is getting the attention.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
That is SO hard! Usually, I just find some good movies for them to watch while they relax on the couch…
Blessings!
Melanie
http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/27931045660
tweet
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
We don’t have children yet, but we enjoy homemade chicken corn soup and lots of rest if possible when we’re under the weather!
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and rocking with Mama is what my little guy wants when he’s not feeling well!
Movies are a must! Along with 7-Up (gotta have the bendy straw) and a fuzzy blankie. Bonus feel-good points if Mom and Dad snuggle close by!
Extra sleep as much as they are willing, tylenol and cuddles. Oh, I do love the sickly cuddles.
Also, my mom used to make baked custard when I wasn’t feeling well. It is so soothing.
Too funny…I think I’ve seen every episode of Phineas and Ferb ten times!! That’s a big hit in our house. We also like to break out the crayons and draw/color. Luckily my son loves to do this, so it makes for a nice “sit still” activity!
Around our house when a little one is sick they get a pallet on the floor in our bedroom with a trashcan nearby, the soft drink of their choice, and always the Anne of Green Gables movies. Watching that Anne-girl just cheers up anyone….although our 20 year old son would now beg to differ :-)
We spend a lot of time in the hospital with our youngest who has cystic fibrosis. I’ve become somewhat of an entertaining “guru” in our family and circle of close friends. Whether we are home or in the “timeshare” there are some things that always work! First of all personalize their space, I allow my daughter to decorate with paper chains, pictures she’s drawn or cards she’s received, even if she’s set up camp in the livingroom! Second, TV is in their control! (yes that means sometimes there is a little too much Diney and Nickelodeon in your life!) Third bring the outdoors in! We have an indoor basketball hoop, bean bags can be numbered and used to do bean bag math. Simply add up the bean bags that end up in the same basket! These things can really help to break up the day! Lastly if your kiddo is sick for long periods of time “Skype” is your friend. Get your childs friends, classmates, teachers, Sunday school class..whomever to have a chat. So much more fun than the telephone, and it REALLY makes their day.
Tv, ginger ale and maybe a glass of wine for mom…
My baby is only 7 weeks and he’s never been sick. But when he’s fussy I cuddle and rock him. I don’t mind one bit!
Luckily, my little guys don’t get sick often. When they do, it’s usually a doosie, and they usually want to just sleep or lay on the couch. I’ll let them snuggle with me on the recliner and we spend the day resting.
I used to and sometimes still try to just confort my kids when they are sick. They are older now but I still run to the store to get Vernors and soup and then cuddle them up good in covers.
gmissycat@yahoo.com
We set up a “sick bay” on the couch with blankets, tissues, juice and a “barfy bucket” (if needed). Lots of DVD’s and usually one of the dogs plants himself right on top of the blankets and “watches” my daughter to make sure she’s okay. I always keep vegetable soup and crackers in the cupboard for those sick days.
toast with butter, cinnamon and sugar :)
Grandma’s chicken noodle soup is the best at curing all ailments
Movies – finding nemo, Toy Story, Up, Monsters Inc etc.
They keep their mind off the tummy aches, the fever and the pains
bluegirl1423 at gmail dot com
Anything goes – they sleep with me, get to watch cartoons in our bedroom, and get anything to eat they want (within reason).
A warm bath will bring down a fever (my prefence over pill). Isolation so no one else gets sick. Plenty of sleep and lots of liquids(in any form no caffeine(check your pedilite bottle)).
http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/28724060653
Play board games and eat home made soup!
I set up (name of child) Central on the couch–comfy pillow, blankets, control of the remote, plus TLC.
No kids, but hubby definitely requires a little TLC when he’s under the weather. Plenty of juice, blankets, remotes and cough drops! :)
My little guy needs his paci, silky and his mommy when he is under the weather and this mommy is happy to oblige :)
Since mine are all older now, I just push fluids and give them a laptop and movies in bed. Teenagers are much more willing to sleep it off than little ones!
Lots of love and cuddles go a long way!
My kiddos get to eat popsicles and Sprite, which they think is awesome…if only they weren’t sick at the time!
Ginger Ale, crackers, soup, Jell-O and banana popsicles…. and watching whatever old black & white scary movies we can find on the TV!
On the sofa with a TV table. They get just about anything they want, depending on the illness!
lots of books.
My kids cuddle with their stuffies on the couch, eat popsicles and watch cartoons.
I bring all my daughter’s blankets downstairs and tuck her in on the couch. I can keep an eye on her and still get “my stuff” done
Movie marathons were always my favorite thing to get me through.
tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ErinWard
We try to do lots of restful things such as reading, quiet playing, and videos.
movies, tv, special drinks and snacks, and just a little more attention and love.
lots of tv/video, crayons, snacks, pillows on the sofa, tlc!
If I got sick at night my parents would make a sleeping bag/sleep space on the floor next to their bed so I could be close but everyone get good sleep. =)
Thanks for offering this giveaway.
Crackers, sprite or ginger ale and old time radio shows in her room. Or a favorite movie if she’s feeling up to it.
Love the cuddle time!
Movies in my bed (usually it’s off limits) and lots of cuddling … under a homemade quilt, of course!
We read books, play games if they’re up to it, but the very special thing is to get a DVD from the library.
Lots of liquids, rest and tv in my bedroom.
I’m a sucker, give ’em whatever they want! Do a jig? sure. Stand on my head? absolutely. Drive 30 minutes to the nearest favorite restaurant for chicken soup? you bet.
We kind of just roll with the punches! Give them whatever makes them comfy. Usually there is a lot of snuggles involved!
I have an 18-month old, so I hold him as much as he wants. We sit in the rocking chair, watch Elmo videos, eat popsicles, soup and crackers and I just let him hold onto me tight. I enjoy the neediness while he is small!
board games!
My kids are all grown now, but resting on the couch with a blanket and favorite tv shows or videos…sprite and crackers, soup and mommy’s attention worked for us.
My girls just like to lay around and watch TV. They sleep a lot, so I can still get some stuff done, but I never feel bad if chores have to wait while I take care of them.
Gatorade. Soup. Lots of cuddles. Getting to lay in mom and dad’s bed during the day with tv and a pile of books.
My kids always seem to feel better after a bath
Soup, lots of love, hugs and kisses and medicine
sweokgrl@gmail.com
Vernor’s ginger ale is our tummy healing drink of choice here. And lots of movies or cartoons.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/29140340712
We make a bed on the couch and settle in with books, movies, lots of drinks and whatever else sounds good to the ‘sickie’.
New books, hot miso soup and cartoons can always do the magic.
tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/29145268596
I set him up on the living room sofa with videos and books, a hot water bottle for his feet, and chicken potato cheese soup.
yeah there are lot of cheap stuffs that you can buy on e-bay these days including those made in china stuffs *
When my daughter was young and feeling sick (which was very rare) we would read together, color, do puzzles, and other low energy activities.
I don’t have kids, but I remember my mom would make me chicken noodle soup and I drank a lot of 7up (we rarely had soda in the house except when I was sick). Once I was on the upswing I got my fave grilled cheese!
When our kids are sick they get to snuggle up on the couch with pillows and blankets, lots of herbal tea, and movies galore.
chicken soup and a good movie
Lots of extra attention and special foods like popcicles for breakfast!
Tweeted too! First entry above!
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/29624649071
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
We snuggle, watch movies and eat soup. I love cuddling with my guys when they are sick because they never sit when they are well. Don’t tell anyone but I secretly like it when they have a fever!
Getting snuggie on the couch with our blankies , soup, 7-up and movies.
i like to rent a special movie for my kids and will usually get them a cool bendy straw to encourage more fluids. we always let them make camp on the couch too :-)
thanks for the chance to win!
Chicken noodle soup, flat 7-up and soda crackers. Oh, and lots of sleep and cartoons. :)
We crank up the on-demand cable and settle in for the day. I remember when I was little, my mom always got me ginger ale. I associate ginger ale with being sick now, so it’s very comforting. I think because I only ever had it when I was sick or on a plane.
So far this fall we’ve had some colds, some allergies, a case of MONO thankyouverymuch, and a pink eye scare. My 7 yr old had mono. 7. The hardest part was keeping her down – since it didn’t seem to affect her one iota.
Duct tape and benadryl…works every time. [seriously kidding!]
I liked to read Harry Potter to my oldest. when he’s sick, he’ll let me “baby” him a little bit. For the younger one, we snuggle up on the couch and watch Tom and Jerry or Pink Panther.
Lots of cuddling, tv and sprite.
Couch cuddling is the best when sick!
Gingerale, saltines (he calls them proteins . . . i know not why), movies, and snuggles.
Letting them lounge on the couch with their favorite blankey, watching dvds
Cuddling and liquid jello.
I don’t have any children, but I always enjoyed having sprite and being allowed to be lazy for the day :)
We seem to get sick with them, so we watch an unusual amount of tv and just try to survive. We pray and hope it’s over soon!
Games, TV, snuggles, etc. Although they do tend to get burnt out on the TV faster than I’d think!
Mom always gave me ginger ale and saltines. When I started getting a little better it was buttered toast, then cinnamon toast. yum. :) She always set up shop for me on the couch with everything I could ever want within an arm’s reach
Sprite, snuggle-time in Mommy’s bed, our favorite Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch blanket, and pajamas all day. We also make it patient’s choice on what to eat that day…
We always make a big bed out of the couch and make it really cozy…movies, soups, and various clear liquids.
When my 2 year old becomes sick, I become toddler furniture – he just wants me to hold him. We just sit and cuddle and watch Nick Jr. – mostly Wow Wow Wubbzy.
Lots of extra snuggle time, reading outloud and a movie or two.
Wet washcloths when you have an icky tummy placed on the tummy or throat do the trick in our house!
Lots of TLC. Chicken soup, gatorade, resting on the couch watching movies.
couch time, movies, sprite and crackers. It’s a no-fail formula :)
When I was growing up, my mom would wheel the TV into my bedroom (yes I am that old hahah) so that I could watch all the kiddie programs. It made the time go by much faster when I was feeling horrible.
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/4187764157325312
I hate to sound like a cliche, but TV was it for me. I only stayed home sick when I was so sick that I couldn’t really go to school, so I was bedridden basically. But TV kept me out of my mom’s hair!
my tweet http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/4193440271171585
I make him a special soup, and read his favorite book.