Sick Preparedness Plan: Quick Tips for Sick Kids
- Cold and flu season calls for parental preparation
- Ways to ease kids’ illnesses
- Tips for minimizing sick days
The only predictable thing about children is that they’ll bring unpredictability into your life. This is especially true when cold and flu season arrives. If you have kids, they’re going to get sick. Add this stress to an already hectic schedule, and the average ear infection can be enough to send you over the edge. Below is a sick preparedness plan that can help you nurse your little patients and maintain your own mental health.
Take a Proactive Approach
Certainly you can’t control when your children will get sick, but you can put a plan in place for the occasion. Consider the following measures:
- Address the situation before it arises. Find out how your boss prefers to be contacted if you’re going to miss work, or what your instructor’s policy is regarding late homework. The great thing about online education is that you’re able to study from home. Still, a child’s fever can keep you up all night. Do your best to be punctual and efficient during regular days, and people will be more inclined to excuse an absence or a late project.
- If you are fortunate enough to receive paid sick days as part of your employee benefits, be sure to use them sparingly. When you have 2 or 3 accrued you might be tempted to use one as a chance to sleep late or catch up on housework. But you’ll be kicking yourself when the next sore throat comes around. Save your sick days for their intended purpose, and only use them when you or your children are sick.
Have a Plan for Back-up Care
Moms who are juggling work, family and school have a jam-packed schedule. A simple flu bug can wreak havoc on the household dynamic for weeks to come. That is why a plan for back-up childcare is essential. Naturally, moms would prefer to stay at home with a sick child, but that is not always possible. Below are some suggestions for arranging back-up childcare:
- Compile a list of other people who have your confidence and trust. This may include a relative who has a flexible work schedule, a grandparent, a babysitter, or a neighbor. Talk to these people about the possibility of their assistance. Make sure they’re comfortable being around a sick child, and are open to the idea of a last minute favor.
- Research back-up childcare centers and facilities. These may include hospitals that offer short-term childcare services. You can also check out the National Association for Sick Child Daycare, for a list of facilities in your area.
Take Inventory
Once an illness has taken up residence in your home, everyone is susceptible. Take a quick inventory of your pantry and your medicine cabinet, and make a run to the store. Stock up on anything you may need in case the whole family becomes ill. You may want to purchase:
- Cold and flu medications for adults and children. Pedialyte can also be helpful for rehydration.
- Toilet paper and tissues. If multiple family members get sick, you can go through these items pretty quickly, and you definitely don’t want to run out.
- Diapers, wipes, and diaper cream (if you have young children). Little kids often get diaper rash when they’re sick, and this adds to their misery.
- Laundry detergent. The laundry can pile up fast when people are sick. You’ll want to keep up with it, and wash soiled bedding right away.
- Extra carpet spray and cleaning solution for any unpleasant mishaps.
- Ginger ale, soup, and crackers for those recovering, yet sensitive, stomachs.
- Plenty of quick-fix meal options like frozen pizzas and cereal, to feed the kids in case they have recovered, but you’re still sick.
Of course this list doesn’t cover all scenarios, but it might help you feel a little more prepared and ready to handle whatever pesky viruses come your way.
Prevent the Illness from Spreading
Once someone comes down with the flu in your house, you think of all of the things everyone should have been doing (and perhaps hadn’t been) to prevent the spread of germs. While it is too late for those already infected, you can still take steps to reduce the chance that others will get sick. Here are a few suggestions:
- Disinfect your home. Pay close attention to wiping off door knobs, handles, light switches, telephones and keyboards.
- If regular hand-washing isn’t a habit, set a timer to remind everyone to be extra diligent.
- Run toothbrushes through the dishwasher.
Contain the Clean-up
Children with the flu and gross messes seem to go hand-in-hand. Moms know that sick children need plenty of rest, so they’ll often create a makeshift infirmary on the living room couch. The problem is that young children don’t always recognize when they are on the verge of an emergency. Getting to the toilet becomes a risky maneuver. Plus, tissues and juice glasses can quickly overtake your family’s living space. Limit the mess by setting up a designated sick room.
- Select one room in the house that will be used for all sick family members. It is helpful if the room is centrally located, for observation purposes. But there should be some separation to protect healthy family members.
- Use your older, mismatched sheets and comforters as bedding for sick kids. This will protect your mattresses and upholstery, and save you the stress of scrubbing stains from newer bedding. It’s also a good idea to stockpile extra pillowcases and hand-me-down pajamas for the same reason.
- Depending on your child’s age, you may want to supply a trash can at his or her bedside. Stomach bugs are never fun. But they’re even worse when they stain your carpet.
Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer and will soon be the mother of six young children born within a 5-year span. Her writing focuses on strategies for busy parents to juggle it all.
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