pinkmint Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I don't know what I have. I've been throwing up and my bones hurt. I have 3 small children, in particular an active, curious toddler who wants to be toted around much of the day. Normally I don't mind but right now I can barely walk. How do you do it, Moms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink and Green Mom Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I'm sorry you are so sick. Back when mine were younger I got real sick like you are and my husband was out of town and my parents couldn't get to until the next day. I had a neighbor come and help. I was so embarrassed to call and ask but she (another mom who had been there, done that) was more than happy to help out. If anyone I know called me up in the same situation I wouldn't think twice about helping out, either. I have also set up one of those play yard baby gate things and plopped kids and toys in that for a while just so I could get a few moments of rest. Can your 6 year old entertain the 1 year old even if just for a little bit? I hope you feel better soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtomom Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Can hubby take off work or a friend come to help? This would be ideal if it's possible. Will your kids be occupied by videos and similar? :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkmint Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Thanks, ladies. I'm grateful DH took off work today so I could rest but he'll have to go back tomorrow. The 5 and 6 year old are easier, I just have to lower my standards and let the Netflix go on and on, if they can at least not fight over what to watch. The 1 year old will be harder. I guess I'm going to let him cry some, while keeping him safe, fed, changed and as loved as I can from a seated/ laying down position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 DH and I had norovirus when my oldest kids were 27 and 5 mos (EBF). I locked them in our room with videos and toys all over the floor. We took turns lying on the floor with them, trying not to barf on a child. The older one ate PB on crackers and applesauce and cheese sticks because it didn't smell too badly to prepare. They survived and entertained each other! Your 5 and 6 year olds can make snack-y meals and fill sippy cups for the toddler. It will suck, but they won't be scarred for life. ;) I hope you feel better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 That was me last week. My olders can take care of themselves pretty much. I just laid on the couch and he baby brought me toys to play with with her and climbed on to nurse. Have your DH make their lunches in advance and then the orders can feed themselves and you can feed the baby from the couch. Just make sure it's not something too messy. We don't normally eat outside of the kitchen, but when I'm sick all bets are off. The olders brought me diapers and wipes when needed and I sat up to change the baby and then laid back down. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 It will help to make a story for the ones that are a little older. "Zookeepers" is a good one: they need to care for a sick (whatever) and her (baby/cub). Play up your needs and how they can help you, or help you with your cub. Be really appreciative and proud. Act like it's obvious that, as zookeepers, of course they get their own meals, brush their teeth alone, etc -- but have them report back to you for praise after every accomplishment. You'll be surprised how "into it" they get. Mine (now older, no toddler) absolutely love it when I get sick. They once got to get out mama's wallet and hand money to the pizza delivery man at the door... And eat it far away from me. They thought it was the most fantastic thing that has ever happened to them. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocassie Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 For the occasional sickness, lots more screen time than normal and enlisting the older ones to help. Than DH brought home a special treat for being such big helpers. I had DH prepare some ready made snacks in containers the older ones could get into. Things like carrot sticks, celery with peanut butter, cubed cheese, hard boiled eggs (peeled), muffins, and cut up fruit. He, also, made PBJ sandwiches that morning before leaving for work so they would be fresh for breakfast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I just spent the last week in bed with a stomach virus, it's tough. My husband came home from work early on the toughest day, but he was traveling the rest of the time. I had my husband buy food the bigger kids could fix themselves. My 5 & 7 year old are pretty helpful so I let my kids watch lots of TV, I had them read to their brother, and I didn't worry about messes. I did move to the couch a couple times just to supervise them playing. In the moments I was feeling better we did school, but just the bare minimum that I could handle from bed. When my 3 year old was about 1 I had a virus that wiped me out for a couple days, my husband called a lady from church who watched the kids for a couple days for me. I would have never called on my own, but my husband couldn't miss work and the little one was pretty needy at the time. It was a relief to have her taking care of the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I just recently had the stomach flu, just so happened to be the day dh left town and my in--laws and parents were both out of town so I as out of luck for any help. Thankfully mine are older and big helpers, they fended for themselves with easy food- lunchmeat and cereal, chips and what ever snacks they wanted. They watched a fair amount of tv downstairs while I napped and puked off and on. My 8yo came and dumped out my puke bowl and got me a clean rag. A few years back, when I had an 8, 5, and 3yr old I was so exhausted all the time from pregnancy and thyroid issues I laid on the couch a lot and did whatever I could from there, recruiting them and lowering standards, they watched more tv than was good and we snuggled a lot, it wasn't ideal but we made it through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abba12 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 DH comes home, sorry, that's all I've got lol. Otherwise, for a one off I'd just have an all-day movie marathon. One day wont kill them, and if you frame it as a special treat it shouldn't lead to nagging for TV Also, my girls have 'doctor sets' and like giving me checkups when I'm sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamiof5 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hope you get better soon!!! TV, even if it's all day long. Our 1 yr old really likes word world and Thomas the train. I like to believe he's learning letters and friendship, kindness etc. Cheerios in a plastic bowl for snack and more meals if needed. Or yes, could a friend or relative watch them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I lay on the living room floor with blankets. That way I can be there and they can play on me and talk to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I had shingles for almost 6 weeks when my child was little. Basically, I sat up and read aloud as much as I could, tossed little squishy balls inside the house for DS to catch, handed the iPad over to him with lots of toddler and small kid apps to play and let him watch Thomas the tank engine DVDs. I also went to the backyard and sat on a chair under the tree while he played. The problem for me was that he was a very physical child who wanted to climb on my lap and touch my face etc and I was terrified of infecting him - I ended up wearing many layers of cloth hoping to keep him from getting my germs. When my DS got older, I had subscriptions to Reading Eggs, DreamBox math, Discovery Kids etc. and I used to let him happily work on the computer while I rested. My DH's cousin had flu and she called me yesterday saying that she could not care for her baby and I went and got the baby and took care of him all day so that she could rest. So, if you have any relatives or friends, you can try to ask them - I am sure that they will be glad to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 This won't help with toddlers, but one year norovirus went through our household the week before Christmas. I hauled out ALL of our craft supplies and left them set up on the kitchen table all week and let the kids go to it each making ornaments for a small tabletop Christmas tree for their rooms. They went to town!The youngest is 17 now and we smile every year when we pull out those ornaments. Stock the kitchen drawers and cupboards with disposable stuff so no one is grabbing real dishes someone has to wash. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Legos/duplos, art supplies, Miss Frizzle, Bill Nye and the Kratt Brothers. It's ok to let things go when you need to get well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hope you're starting to feel better today. You just do whatever you can to get through those days.....if that means Netflix all day, that's fine. Dd and I had norovirus at the same time when she was 8 months old. Ds was 2, and Dh was out of town. Ds watched many DVDs for a couple days. Poor dd was so sick, she only wanted to be held. At that age, there was no warning when she was going to be sick, so it was a lot of clean up. I just held her, and had to set her down while I ran to the bathroom. Both dc were fine....too much tv didn't harm anyone for those days.....though I think I'm still emotionally scarred from that nightmare episode of the stomach flu.😬 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.