Sick days are no fun for parent or child. When someone isn’t feeling well it definitely puts a damper on any day, even one that entitles the child to a day off from school. Plus, many of the illnesses that require a day home from school are the let-it-run-its-course varieties, such as stomach bugs or colds.
There are ways you can make the most of sick days with your child. Here are some strategies for soothing symptoms and maximizing time spent at home.
Keep water handy: Fluids hydrate a body and promote faster recovery. Plus, when vomiting or fighting a fever, it’s important for a child to drink plenty of fluids. Place a fun water bottle beside your child’s bed to encourage drinking. Use silly straws, or tint with a colorful electrolyte powder to make it more interesting to drink .
Fun foods: It can be hard to get a child to eat when he or she isn’t feeling well. To encourage consumption, make “mini” foods and serve them on doll china or make a sandwich-pop, using a skewer to hold cubes of bread, cheese, and sandwich meat. Smaller portions in a fun presentation may be eaten more readily.
Diversions: Keep your child’s mind off of feeling lousy with activities that stimulate the brain.
Puzzles, cut-and-paste collages, sorting photos for a scrapbook, or favorite books can be entertaining and low-impact when rest is mandatory.
