Single parents what do you do when you're I'll?

[Rollyrollyrollyrolly]

I'm a single mum to an 18 month old and I have a raging ear infection, it started saturday and I have GP appointment this afternoon but I feel so rotten, I'm so dizzy I'm scared carrying DD up and down stairs and cooking and stuff, one whole side of my face is numb, I can't hear and the dizziness is making me feel so sick.

I feel awful on DD though because I can't take her out as I don't want to drive and don't really feel like walking to the park dizzy, grim and in the pissing rain. I'm bored, she's bored, I made some play dough for her this morning but it's not really interesting her.

So single parents what do you do when you're ill? Is what I'm doing Ok? How do you keep a toddler entertained when you feel like shit?

Title should say ill stupid autocorrect.

You poor thing, it's bloody hard. I'm assuming there's no family or friends nearby that can help?

Failing that tv/iPad, have a nap together at some point which will help you.

make the room safe, put on some cartoons of disney movies and lay on the couch , stay awake but rest while the tv entertains and then hopefully you can get some nice long stretches of time to lay back and rest in between getting food and drinks etc

Anything that works tbh. If that's hours of cbeebies, so be it.

Anybody that can help?

Tv on, doze on the settee, just get through the day.

Stick them in front of the TV with some crisps and yoghurt, and try to rest. They learn to manage while you are ill, and it helps teach them empathy.

No nobody to help unfortunately, mum lives 70 miles away and no other family or friends. We got through yesterday with lots of CBeebies just feel like I'm not trying hard enough I think and that I'm letting Dd down.

I feel for you it’s a nightmare when you’re ill and nothing stops you still have to do all the cleaning and cooking because that doesn’t stop just because you’re ill.
I’ll be honest I just put films on TV that mine like to watch and leave them to play with their toys.
Providing they’re safe, being bored for a day or two while I’m ill isn’t going to do them any harm.

YY to all above. DD normally doesn’t watch telly but we’ve both been hit by a vomiting bug so she’s plugged in to CBeebies while I die on the sofa.

Unless you have someone who can come and help, I'd put them in front of TV with snacks and sleep on the sofa.

You put on the tv, feed them cereal, deal with the mess later.

Sometimes friends may offer to take your DC out if you let them know you're ill. If you have friends who are not working during the week anyway.

I'm not a single mum anymore but I remember having tonsillitis when it was just me and ds.
I got everything prepared what we would need for the day.
Tv snacks nappies and wipes near me drinks made up.
we just lounged around all day!

You're not letting dd down at all. The more TV or downtime now, the quicker you'll recover. You poor thing, I hope you get better soon, I totally understand your position.

You are not letting your little one down by doing what we all do once in a while and getting sick. It happens. As she gets older she will entertain herself. Try not to worry and get as much rest as you can.

You have to either
A) beg somone to take little one
B) crawl on hands and knees and do your best I had been known when ds was small to prop him up in front of the telly drag my duvet downstairs and just stick my head in a bucket not much else I could of done

You are not letting her down, CBeebies won’t do her any harm, plus a couple of days of snacks foods is ok. My little girl scoffed tinned spaghetti on toast as if it was the best thing she had!

When your both I’ll thats the real fucker

My worst time was a visit to casualty with two kids, one of whom was having an asthma attack. Then two of us picked up a vomiting bug whilst there which took me out of action for two days.
As long as your little one is fed and has tv to watch and toys to play with you just concentrate on getting better. It makes you scared to get ill in the future too. Good luck and get well soon

Your thinking about it all wrong.
What every child needs is for their parent to be at their best as much as possible. If you push yourself you are going to be ill for longer or have continued problems. What your body needs is rest, a few days of tv and junk food is MUCH MUCH better than a few weeks of her only parent being ill and struggling. She needs you, she needs you to get well.
Get the tv on, make sure the room is safe, she has some toys and rest.

Endless cbeebies. Anything to let you rest.

I’m not a single mum. But chronically ill and disabled. I got very ill when dd was 3. I had to put her in nursery 3 days a week as I struggled to even feed her. But when I did / do have her it’s just getting by however I can.

Oh bless you, I spent many years as a single parent with 3 kids, the oldest was not quite 5, the others 3 & 1 when I first became a single parent so i know how you feel. It was awful if I ever got Ill. Colds and stuff I just plodded on but sometimes things are much harder to cope with. What you’re doing is fine lovely. As a previous poster mentioned, make the room you’re in as safe as you can, lots of cushions and blankets, bring in a jug of water or squash or whatever you and the baby can both drink. Don’t cook! It’s not essential it’s just a day or two, sandwiches/bread and butter/crisps/fruit/yogurt/cheese cubes anything picky and easy for you to grab, you can both graze as and when. Why do you need to carry the baby up and down the stairs? If it’s not essential don’t do it x

You can keep a potty in the living room if they use it although at 18 months they’re prob still in pull ups?

Tv/movies on for the day won’t hurt anyone, just rest as much as you can and drink lots x

Oh gosh, honestly, you're not failing her. I remember DSis and I used to LOVE it when DM was ill because we could basically do whatever we wanted and not have to get dressed. It was a total luxury and it's absolutely fine to break the routine like this, it's not like it happens constantly.

As PP said what you need to focus on is what helps you get well. No room for guilt. You're doing great.

Bless you for being so selfless!

Call your mum. 70 miles isn’t so far, especially if you need some shopping done (pharmacy?) on the way. I’m hopeful she’d jump at the chance to help.

I’m usually ok in these situations (doing all the things that previous posters are suggesting) up until my DD would come up and put her hand on my face and croon ‘pooooor mummmy!’. Then I’d have to distract her quickly so I could cry into a sofa cushion with self-pity for a while!! That’s ok too, but ring your mum first.

Blimey you’re not failing her, TV is your friend, it’s not going to harm her for a few days. 18 months can you guide her down the stairs.

Fluids and sofa for you, she will survive.

I’m a lone parent and my daughter is now 14 but I’ve had noro, broken arm and various illnesses and you both just get on with it. Look after yourself and don’t feel bad!!