What to do with your kids on sick days

So your kid is home sick, eh?

Whether he or she is home with you, the nanny or grandparents, being so sick that you can’t go to school sucks. But even though it’s a sick day, you probably don’t want to encourage your child to get lost in TV oblivion. It’s also a good idea to have a few of these things prepared in advance so that you don’t have to scramble on sick days and can easily hand it off to a caregiver if you can’t stay home yourself.

Here’s how to handle your kid’s sick day like a pro:

Notify the school or daycare

Let your child’s school know that he or she is home sick. If it’s a severe or contagious sickness, specify exactly what it is so that the school can notify other parents and potentially prevent an outbreak.

Rest

It might be obvious, but let your kid sleep in. You might want to wake them up to give them some medicine, but other than that, the best way to nurse your kids back to health is to make sure they get lots of rest.

Get some air

Okay, this will depend on where you live. If you’re under the polar vortex dome, they’re better off staying in bed, but if you’re starting to get some early spring temperatures, a few minutes in the sun won’t hurt. Just don’t forget to bundle him or her up.

Arts and crafts

You might have limited supplies, but you can amp up basic things like drawing and colouring by using extra-large sheets of poster paper. But on days when your girls and boys are feeling groggy, keeping it simple is best.

Build a blanket fort

Why not make your couch or your bed even cozier? Gather all the pillows, cushions and fluffy blankets and drape them all over. And sure, why not pop in a movie or watch some TV when you’re finished?

Prescribe fun

Dress up in a white lab coat, use a toy stethoscope, ask your child what’s wrong and come up with a playful “prescription.” You’ll get them more excited about taking care of themselves, and make them less afraid of the doctor for if or when they need to go into the clinic. Try prescribing things like one cup of ginger ale and three puffy pillows, or one episode of "Spongebob Squarepants" and a big bowl of chicken soup.

Don’t forget hungry tummies!

Chicken soup and honey tea are must-haves on sick days. Remember that you little ones need lots of hydration and nutrients to battle off that sickness.

What to do on sick days

So your kid is home sick, eh?

Whether he or she is home with you, the nanny or grandparents, being so sick that you can’t go to school sucks. But even though it’s a sick day, you probably don’t want to encourage your child to get lost in TV oblivion. It’s also a good idea to have a few of these things prepared in advance so that you don’t have to scramble on sick days and can easily hand it off to a caregiver if you can’t stay home yourself.

Here’s how to handle your kid’s sick day like a pro:

Notify the school or daycare

Let your child’s school know that he or she is home sick. If it’s a severe or contagious sickness, specify exactly what it is so that the school can notify other parents and potentially prevent an outbreak.

Rest

It might be obvious, but let your kid sleep in. You might want to wake them up to give them some medicine, but other than that, the best way to nurse your kids back to health is to make sure they get lots of rest.

Get some air

Okay, this will depend on where you live. If you’re under the polar vortex dome, they’re better off staying in bed, but if you’re starting to get some early spring temperatures, a few minutes in the sun won’t hurt. Just don’t forget to bundle him or her up.

Arts and crafts

You might have limited supplies, but you can amp up basic things like drawing and colouring by using extra-large sheets of poster paper. But on days when your girls and boys are feeling groggy, keeping it simple is best.

Build a blanket fort

Why not make your couch or your bed even cozier? Gather all the pillows, cushions and fluffy blankets and drape them all over. And sure, why not pop in a movie or watch some TV when you’re finished?

Prescribe fun

Dress up in a white lab coat, use a toy stethoscope, ask your child what’s wrong and come up with a playful “prescription.” You’ll get them more excited about taking care of themselves, and make them less afraid of the doctor for if or when they need to go into the clinic. Try prescribing things like one cup of ginger ale and three puffy pillows, or one episode of ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ and a big bowl of chicken soup.

Don’t forget hungry tummies!

Chicken soup and honey tea are must-haves on sick days. Remember that you little ones need lots of hydration and nutrients to battle off that sickness.