To think that looking after a sick child is one of the hardest bits of parenting?

[superstarheartbreaker]

Dd (6)only has a bad cold/ flu and I am worn out.

The worry of her having a temperature.
Worry in general.
The coughing that keeps us both awake.
The grumpy moods.
He fear of the doctor.
The puking due to coughing so hard.
The administration of medicine.
Having to stay at all all day with dd who can't go to school.

The poor little mite and she only has a cold. Hats off to all parents with children with serious illness.

I agree with KnackeredMerrily. When one of mine became suddenly and very seriously ill, I found myself in the 'zone'. I felt remarkably calm and it was as though I was up by the ceiling looking down on us. Almost like an out of body experience. I didn't have time to dwell on things though. One minute I had a slightly poorly child, the next we were bluelighted to hospital miles away from home leaving the rest of the family behind, so it was a case of sink or swim.

I think like a pp sometimes it's easier when they have a cold etc and are happy to snuggle on the sofa. It becomes more difficult sometimes,such as when ds1 had hand foot and mouth, with lots of painful blisters in his mouth, he was a medicine refusenik and it was a mare to get fluids into him. That was difficult, I ended up putting ibuprofen into a milkshake and thankfully he drank it, it was slightly easier after that as long as I kept him topped up on painkillers.

Was also very stressful when 3 week old ds2 had a high temperature, obviously with an older child you would calpol up and ride it out. He ended up in A&E with a lumbar puncture and a 2 night stay , was just a bug though thankfully, obviously doctors are very cautious with babies that young.

ReindeerBollocks - Big hugs to you. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must be to nurse a terminally ill child and to be able to keep going. You have my utmost respect.

Saucy I came on to say the same about DS1. It's the only time he sits still for more than five minutes. He's all cuddly and drowsy and sleeps 12 hours a night, which he never does normally.

He's strong as an ox, though, so hardly ever gets ill and when he does it's only for a day or two. I know we're very lucky in that respect.

So sorry to hear that, Reindeer - that puts everything else in proportion. There is no worse situation for a parent. I'm sure you are doing everything you possibly can in circumstances where you are essentially powerless. xxx

I feel your pain OP. DD (3) currently has yet another cough/cold. They go straight to her chest every time and take days to clear. Last night I had to sleep with her on her bedroom floor. Dreading tonight as shes just started coughing. Nothing works.

Agree that its harder when you're ill and child is not - especially when hungover as you can't even give yourself sympathy since its your own fault you're ill!

Sympathies, i had 9 children puking all day monday and its still not over yet. The youngest three seem to have it the worst though, just laying down not moving or making a sound.