How to get through flu with two small children and no help

[Raddyradiator]

Hello

DH and I both have bad flu which came on suddenly this morning. I'm just about managing but DH has got it bad. It's definitely flu as covid test is negative and we've never felt this shit. Kids are in childcare today but home from tomorrow for two weeks.

any tips/advice? I don't think I can face taking them out and about but feel guilty for lying down and sticking on the tv all day. Grandparents have health issues so don't want to drop the kids off.

any tips much appreciated. I'm hoping it will be gone by Sunday and the kids don't get it.

Get an online delivery shop in now with lemsip, honey lemon, Vicks or anything like that and easy dinners even if you don’t like ready meals if your short. Are the children old enough to gets snacks or are they tiddlers. I had flu once when DH was overseas and children were about 10 so they actually looked after themselves.

I have had some sort of flu and it’s taken me two weeks to feel even remotely ok and I’m still a bit weak and feeble.

Lie down and put the tv on . When you're sick it's no time to be mother of the year.

Just put the tv on, there is no need for guilt. If you are ill there isn't much other option.

How young are the children?

I’ve had it all week. My dc aren’t small, but eldest is learning disabled, and needs as much input as small dc.

put the tv on. Lie down, snuggle with blankets, crack open the Christmas treats - whatever gets you through the day, tbh. This isn’t the time for heroics.

also, tag team with your DH. Take shifts so that each of you can have some time to rest. It may be easier to be a bit more hands on and rely less on the tv if you are well rested and know that you only have to be interactive for an hour or so (or however you divide it up)

Thank you all. They are 18 months and almost 4 and both are feeling quite clingy at the moment so TV it is.

@MouldyChristmasPud 2 weeks?! Hope you re feeling better now.

@ElfDragon hipe you are feeling better. Tag teaming is a good idea. We'll have to take it in shifts and hope for the best

Whenever you make them a snack make a platter so it lasts a while eg fruit, crackers, biscuit, cold meat, whatever. Put a blanket on the carpet and let them eat there.
Make drinks in bottles so don’t need to refill as much.
Could also make tea in a flask for yourself if you have one.
Unlimited TV.
A den can be handy/small tent/cushions.
Whatever is easy for them to play with and not too messy eg Aqua mat, wooden blocks.

The down time will be fine for them too.

Make sure you feel ‘really awful’ the odd day too and go ti bed. Otherwise you’ll take ages to get over it, and then be expected to, cause it will be Christmas.

This is exactly the time when just lying there and sticking the TV on is totally acceptable and justifiable. Christmas TV/films if you want to feel festive. Feed them whatever is easy, let them entertain themselves as much as I’d possible. Do whatever you need to do to get through, and don’t feel guilty for a second. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for all the replies. It took two weeks but we made it through. TV and ready meals saved us. DH and I also took it in shifts to look after them /rest and we also went to bed as soon as they went to bed for the night to maximise sleep.

This ^ a few days of tv/snack and easy foods/less play isn't going to harm them.
Rest up, minimal effort, get well.

Oh this is an old thread 😅 glad you're better