Tips for Parenting While Sick

Parenting can be full-on even at the best of times, so looking after one or more little ones while you aren’t feeling well can be a real challenge. Whether you’ve been sidelined by the flu, a bug or something else that means you can’t operate as normal, it’s important to have a bit of a plan in place for how to manage parenting at these times.

In this blog, we’ve compiled some top tips on parenting while sick, alongside some ideas for things you can set up ahead of time for when you’re not feeling your best in the future.

How to parent when you are sick

There are no set rules when it comes to parenting while you are unwell, and your child’s needs during this time will vary, depending on their age or developmental stage. With younger children, it’s often just a matter of keeping them safe, fed and as entertained as possible while you recover. There might be nursery or school runs to consider, along with other activities they usually do and the rest of the mental load that comes with being a parent.

It’s no fun being ill, and it’s made even tougher when you’re a parent responsible for looking after one or more children while you’re feeling unwell. It’s important to be kind to yourself at times like these.

Get enough rest

Easier said than done, we know, but the body needs to rest when you’re feeling under the weather in order to recover as quickly as possible. Putting your own needs in front of those around you might feel like you’re going against the grain, but it’s necessary to look after yourself properly, especially when you’re ill. Stay hydrated, keep warm, eat when you can, take any prescribed medication and tell the parent guilt to take a day (or few) off.

Bring in some backup if you can

Some parents have a great support network on hand for eventualities like this, whether that’s a partner, family, friends or even an early years education and care professional. But not everyone has this kind of support available, especially if you’re ill without any warning or preparation time. You might be a single parent or your partner might not be able to be with you while you’re unwell.

If you don’t have someone you have already arranged with that you can call for backup in situations like this, it can be a good time to have a look through your phone contacts and see if there’s a trusted person you can reach out to who might be able to do something small to help. Things like bringing over an activity for your child(ren) to do, doing the school run if applicable, or picking up some groceries or over-the-counter medication to help you out can all make a real difference when you’re ill.

Bare minimum rules apply

Parenting when sick is about prioritising keeping you and your child safe and happy while you have a chance to recover, so any other responsibilities can certainly take a back seat for a while. Essentially, you’re in survival mode right now, so making routine tasks as easy, fast and straightforward as possible is key. The world will absolutely keep spinning if you don’t pick up every toy that’s on the floor or if you decide to skip vacuuming for a few days.

Lowering your normal expectations for family time is no bad thing when you’re feeling really rough. If you normally have a to-do list, scrub off anything that isn’t essential.

Cut all the corners you can

It might be worth thinking if there is anything you can do to make things easier at home for the days you’re not well. Can you order takeaway food to be delivered for main meals? Or do an online shop for some ready meals that need minimal effort to get onto the table? If you’re worried about housework mounting up, then you could even see if there is a local laundry and/or cleaning service you can get in for a one-off while you’re mainly out of action.

Get medical help if needed

If you know that your illness is just down to a severe cold  or something similar, you might be fine after a few days resting and recovery, but if you’re worried about your symptoms or your illness seems to be lasting longer than expected, it’s important to get some professional help. Calling 111 is often the best place to start if you’re not sure what assistance you might need.

Plan ahead for a parent feeling unwell

If you’re already feeling ill then this isn’t much help, but if you’re being proactive and trying to plan for a time in the future you may be sick, we’ve compiled a few things you can do to prepare.

• Have an age-appropriate ‘emergency’ box or bag of activities, games, craft supplies, games and toys that only gets used if you’re unwell. This can feel like a real novelty to the child and can be a great way to entertain them while you rest.
• Have a stock of long-life ‘easy’ meals and snacks ready to go in your kitchen so that you can get yourself and your child(ren) fed with minimal effort required. Tins, dehydrated foods and freezer meals can be good options for this.
• Storybooks or audiobooks can be a nice calm activity, depending on your individual little one(s), so having some new ones or old favourites to hand for times like this can be a good plan.

The real key to parenting while sick is just to let your guilt and standards go for as long as is needed to get through to the other side. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. While parents are indeed superhuman in many ways, you’re not invincible and it’s important to reach out if you need some support while you’re getting back to full strength.

We hope that you’ve found these tips useful. You can discover so much more about our family-led nurseries, our approach to early years education and care, and find other helpful articles on our blog.

Find a Kids Planet Nursery near you.

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