Sick, injured and alone with DC for next few days- survival tips please!

[ShutUpColin]

I have a nasty chest infection. GP reckons I've probably fractured a rib (from coughing so violently) so it hurts to move or do anything. I haven't slept for 3 nights because I can't stop bloody coughing. I've started antibiotics, which will hopefully clear the infection, but have upset my stomach.

DH is away for work for the next few days so I will be alone with 2 primary school aged DC.
My DP's are on holiday and my best friend is going away tomorrow with her family. There's no one else, so asking for help isn't an option.

Please hit me with your best tips for entertaining and looking after DC whilst sick and/or in pain.
I'm usually pretty stoic about illnesses or injuries, but right now I'm exhausted and feeling pretty sorry for myself.

Tell me it's going to be OK!

Guilt free screen time

Sending you lots of good wishes

How awful

Some lovely take away food too 💖💕💖💕💖

Screens. Snacks. Long baths, with a screen if necessary.

Soft play /trampolining /ninja place if you're up to driving.

Hope you recover soon.

Can you book someone through sitters or similar to give you a few hours respite?

Painkillers for you something decent. Unlimited screen time and tv. School age kids should be able to amuse themselves.
Order some colouring, activity items off amazon for them.
Poor DSis and Bil are both horrendously sick with cheese grater throats and high fevers and have been reduced to driving toddler about to keep him quiet.

Sorry probably should have mentioned that one of the DC has SEND and wouldn't cope with being left with an unfamiliar adult. Otherwise I would definitely consider this!

This is a movie ,tv ,board games and screens scenario, drawing always worked well in our house - just paper and pens always on the dining table . In reality you should feel the benefits of the antibiotics quite quickly so you may feel up to sitting in a playground and letting them get in with it in a few days . You have my sympathy , DH is a frequent work traveller as was my DF - my dc are teens now and it does get so much easier

Can you afford to throw any money at it? Order some new exciting things on amazon for them? Do you have a garden - could you get them some new fun garden games/toys to keep them busy? But otherwise, I agree, screen time, supermarket food delivery and Deliveroo are your friend here.

Get easy food for them to eat - brioche/cereal and milk for breakfast, ready made sandwiches for lunch (forget about UPFs for now), pizza or take away for tea etc.

Also, I know you say you have no one to help, but if I would not need to be your best mate to help you out in this situation. Are you on a class/parents whatsapp for example? I wouldn't be offended if someone asked extremely nicely if anyone was around and willing to take the kids for a couple of hours and explained the situation. You could say that you are very happy to return the favour as soon as you are better.

Good luck!

Definitely open to throwing money at the problem, in my sleep deprived state it hadn't occured to me to distract them with new stuff but that's a good idea. Am browsing Amazon for new garden games and craft stuff as we speak!

Agree normal boundaries around TV and devices can do one until I feel more human. They're currently watching endless episodes of Horrible Histories and I've ordered pizza. DS (6) has just gone "mummy can you cough more quietly please I can't hear the TV!" Nothing like a bit of sympathy is there 😂

If you have any spare cash that’ll make things easier. I’ve done this when skint and when slightly better off and the experiences are worlds apart!

Skint - screens, get out in the garden if you have one, lower your standards about EVERYTHING, long baths if they enjoy them.

Not so skint - order them something new on Amazon prime to occupy them, screens, takeaways delivered, garden of pos and still, lower your standards.

If someone put this on my neighbours WhatsApp they’d get some home cooked meals, offers to do the school run, offers to go to the chemists etc.

I get that a strange person babysitting wouldn’t work, but there’s quite a lot of other things that could help.

Order ready chopped/prepped fruit and veg for them so they can help themselves to as much as possible. Pouches of rice, ready meals, anything that needs no prep, and disposable plates etc to reduce the washing up if that would help.

Screens and takeaways. Put your oxygen mask on first. No mum guilt

I have been in this sitch before over a bank holiday, I did a reward chart with each day divided into three and told them if they got a tick in each section I’d take them to Smyths when I was better and let them choose anything up to £x. We saved £ being in all weekend and it really worked. Never usually use this kind of bribery but this is a time for it (if it will work with yours). Feel better asap!!

New Lego set if that's their thing (each if possible!)
Movies.
Have you got a garden? They'll need to burn some energy. Maybe a garden Olympics? They can design obstacle courses and time each other.

Marble runs are fantastic if your kids enjoy that sort of thing.
Paint by numbers or sequin art keep them quiet for a while.
The Taskmaster for kids book is quite good for fun challenges.
Screen time.

Absolutely throw money at it if possible!

Sorry you're feeling shit. Being unwell and in charge of kids is the absolute worst part of parenting.

Could you get something like this?
https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/colour-in-cardboard-market-stall/6733181000.html

ornlet them build a sofa fort / bed sheet tents in the garden. Anything that’s a complete novelty

I had similar a free years ago, not sure off relevant now but ordered tons of supplies and they made mountains of Skinner.

Also find planning meals with them that you could all cook together (the I can cook website had some great pretty easy meals including a brilliant parts dish that you cooked in one pan, pasta included) so that's an hour or so killed and you get food at the end.

Floor is lava and indoor assault course. Rebounder for if the weather looks dire to burn off energy plus introduce them to a film franchise with several films (Home Alone maybe?)

Best of luck but also keep an eye on you, it's a rotten thing to be ill with

And for you OP - get some probiotics from Amazon if you haven’t already. They will help your stomach, and once the antibiotics kick in you’ll feel better if that’s not such an issue (whereas there’s not a lot you can do about the ribs sadly, other than perhaps order a right angle pillow for some upright sleeping).

Screens,Amazon is your friend for ordering cheap entertainment ie colouring,jigsaws etc ( nothing messy!!),takeaway delivery,Cook ready meals . Hope you feel better soon.X

You are all bloody brilliant.

Garden Olympics is a great idea! Also love that cardboard shop thingy for when it starts to rain which is inevitable since its a bank holiday weekend.

I've also ordered some art stuff for DD and a Lego set for DS to arrive tomorrow.

Introducing them to a movie franchise with a few films is a really good idea. Will have a look now and see if I can find something suitable they haven't seen.

Thank you all 😊

Mountains of SLIME!! Not sure if they make it any more but honestly used to keep my the busy for days! And a metal detector if you're not precious about the garden

These are the threads I love- that’s not to say I don’t feel awful for you op but everyone making really helpful suggestions and contributions is fabulous.
i really hope the antibiotics kick in quickly for you op

Do what makes it work
TV all day ....do it
Snacks
Family PJ day or two

I destroyed my shoulder just before DW had a long weekend away. Was one armed and on loads of meds so kept it well simple!

New pens and art stuff from amazon. Brought a new film from amazon prime. Filled the bath and got swimming gear out for mini swim. Loads of tv and crisps etc!

Ooh water beads, those tiny ones you put in water overnight. Great sensory play

At least she said please 🙄