Does this look like a happy baby to you?
Of course not. She was sick. She didn't go to day care that day because she had a fever.
Nonetheless, the grandparents who were watching her tried to make her happy by putting her in her swing and taking her around the neighborhood.
Sometimes, I can't even with these people.
What do I do when Grace is home sick?
We nap. We cuddle. We watch tv, play dolls, color, or whatever she wants to do. If all she feels like is lying on the couch and watching television, then that's what we do. It's about her getting better, not about my having fun. That said, I do have a repertoire of things I can do to make her day a little brighter.
How to Cheer Up A Sick Preschooler
- Serve special foods. If she's up to eating, offer her special foods like ice cream, frozen yogurt, and Jello. I encourage Grace to drink ginger ale or juice when she's feeling sick. Fluids are fluids, and her body needs the extra calories to fuel its immune system.
- Offer fun foods. Cut toast into a fun shape with a cookie cutter. Put a face on it. Put snacks into decorated muffin cups. Try to think of things that will bring a smile to your preschooler's face.
- Cuddle. Spend lots of time cuddling. Preschoolers need gentle touch as much now as they did a year or two ago, so give them lots of hugs and kisses and hold them. It will make them feel better, unless they want to be left alone (and then do that instead!).
- Have a movie marathon. When Grace is home sick, I let her choose the movies. All princesses all day? No problem. Strawberry Shortcake on repeat? Can do. Whatever she wants, we watch.
- Read. I don't know a single preschooler who doesn't love to be read to. Grace would cuddle up on my lap and listen to book after book after book if I'd let her. When she's sick, I do. Like with the movies, I let her pick the books, and I make sure we have a great big stack so that we don't have to get up in the middle of reading.
- Play computer games. If she's feeling up to it, I'll let Grace play video games on PBS.org or another educational website. If she wants to, I don't usually put a limit on the games. She needs to rest, after all, and sitting in front of my laptop is as fine a means of rest as any other.
- Listen. Above all, listen to your preschooler. If she says she just wants to lie down, let her. If she ways she wants to play or read or do something, follow her lead. Don't force her to play just because she's home for the day; she's home is to get better.
When your young child is home sick, the best thing you can do is follow her lead. Little kids don't fake illness - or not convincingly, anyway - so if she seems sick, she probably is. Let her decide whether she wants to nap, cuddle, watch tv, or color. Give her Tylenol (if she needs it) and a popsicle.
MommyNamedApril says
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!
Bradley G Murray says
Run, Hide, Cry! 🙂 Seems like nothing really helps when our quadruplet boys are all sick at once. You always get through it though, just hang in there!
bradley.g.murray(at)gmail(dot)com
LAMusing says
I don't have kids, but when I was young I recall lots of chicken noodle soup and 7UP. And mom would read to me (or I'd read myself when I was old enough). When I was on the upswing I'd get my fave grilled cheese and ice cream (no dairy while I was sick) - so I was well pretty quickly 🙂
Brittany says
Stay in the PJs all day!
Melanie says
Chicken soup and extra cartoon watching time always does the trick!
Naddez says
By letting them watch their favorite shows while eating their soup & crackers and drinking Sprite.
Naddez says
http://twitter.com/Naddez/status/3653238993715201
Sarah L says
ginger ale, toast, chicken soup and love.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-100-from-similasan.html
kakaty says
My daughter gets to do things we don't normally do: she can play games on my phone, watch movies on the computer (Thanks Netflix streaming) and of course unlimited cuddling!
kakaty says
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/kakatywins/status/4554773252538370
Heather Spooner says
My kids are usually so happy to miss a day of school that they don't get grumpy about being sick. I do cater to them by fixing snacks that are special. They seem to get comfort from watching movies with me or being read to out loud.
Megan says
Definitely get them nice and comfy on the couch with books or their favorite movie. Bring them soup and crackers and some pedialyte...and some sweets too unless their stomach is upset.
Jean D. says
My son has severe asthma, so sick days have become a routine of their own. First things first: Let him phone Grandma. Even if she can't come over, he feels better telling her he's home sick. I fix a “bed” on the couch with blankets and pillows, and help him get as comfortable as possible. Usually he wants just water, but I'll also give him Diet 7Up or Sprite. I give him food to graze on rather than big meals, as he can sometimes have trouble with his stomach. He loves movies, so we keep plenty handy to help pass the time.
Anonymous says
Awww lol what a cutie! Being sick is horrible, and it sucks to see the little ones get sick. I usually keep them busy with games, cartoons, eating soup and drinking plenty of liquids.
Anonymous says
Tweeted:http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/5050791693918209
Megan says
We watch old TV shows on Hulu...my kids love Inspector Gadget and The Littles now!
Megan says
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/megans_madness/status/5096735999262720
Ella says
Sick days means lying on the couch with their favorite blanket and watch movies. I make sure there is a drink on the coffee table or some hot soup
Jillyrh says
We watch movies and play games and I give lots of cuddles.