When Little People Aren’t Well

Winter and sick children go together hand in hand. Many a parent looks in despair at their little cherub ad remembers that ‘their kids were never going to wander around with green noses…’ think again. It’s almost impossible to escape!

It is hard to navigate the patience required to get up to tiny sick people in the night, as well as care for the rest of the family, prevent the spread of the disease family wide (while watching pigs fly by the window) and keep your job going simultaneously.

It is awfully tempting to patch and dispatch with a teaspoon of paracetamol, a smear of Vicks on the chest, an extra cuddle and bundle them off to school or daycare. But wait! Why must everyone else’s family share your child’s bugs? Is your to-do list really that important?

Sick kids feel miserable

They want to be tucked up and at home. Being a parent doesn’t have regular working hours, in fact it’s forever. You will inevitably have to take the odd day off for your child’s illness, so make a plan.

If you really can’t take time off, ask a trusted friend or relative to come over. If a child is sick at home, don’t drag them to the supermarket, mall or to other activities. Rest is an amazing cure-all. Let them play quietly and insist upon an afternoon snooze to help their immune system.

Feed them light food

When you are unwell, your body doesn’t have the energy to digest heavy or highly processed food. Go back to basics; broths, soups and fruit and vegetables. Go easy on the dairy, as it can exacerbate mucous production. Make sure they are sipping water regularly (fevers, vomiting and runny noses can be very dehydrating).

Check it out

Know your child. If they are unwell, keep a close eye on them. Small children can become very unwell, very quickly. If their fever spikes, they become difficult to rouse, refuse food or water or develop a rash, seek medical help immediately.

 If your child has a virus, antibiotics will not work. Time, patience, pain relief and rest is all that you have at your disposal. Seek your GP’s advice and follow it. Sending children back to school or kindy too early will only prolong the illness. Ask your school nurse about their policy. Many will insist upon children being symptom-free for at least 24 hours before they return to school.

Surrender, this too shall passs. Until next time…