The Crib: A Blog for New Parents
It's That Time Of Year Again
It is that time of year again, school has started, kids are returning to daycare, and some of them always seem to be sick. There seems to be a million different bugs going around, no matter what precautions you take, your child will catch one. I have a few suggestions as to how to prevent the stress of dealing with kids who just cannot feel better no matter what you do for them, or let them get away with so that the whining does not send you over the edge.
Accept that for every runny nose you wipe with tissue, another one will be wiped on a sleeve. It is a child reflex, they cannot help it. Noses run, you cannot catch them all.
Popsicles are a must have for sore throats; they need lots of liquids anyway. Frozen fruit is a good choice too. The coldness soothes the throat, and you know they are still getting something substantial into themselves.
Your child will not be malnourished by a day or two of eating things they like. Sometimes it really does hurt to swallow "real" food. You can make them eat things that are more nutritious when they feel better.
Try to avoid dairy items such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream. It actually increases and thickens the mucus and phlegm causing them to cough more, and it could upset the stomach more.
Settling the sick one on the couch with a movie, coloring activities, puzzles, etc., will give you a little time to relax and get ready for the next round of "my nose hurts, my throat hurts, that medicine is yucky, I don't like that juice", and on and on and on.... One day of not keeping your child occupied and educated will not cause him or her severe brain damage.
When you finally get your little one into bed for the night, forgo the housework, and relax just for yourself. A special thing just for you, a TV show you never get to see, a bubble bath, a book, whatever. Because it could still be a long night, with the coughing, the crying, the stuffy nose that wakes them up. The house can get cleaned tomorrow because the little one will probably be better.
I am sure that my opinions would not be approved of by a physician, so I did not ask one, LOL. These are simply things I have come to learn over my years as a mom and as a childcare provider.
