Looking after toddler when feeling ill

MissEyreBronte · 2020-09-03T06:57:19+00:00

Both me and DP have got this nasty virus doing the rounds. I’m pretty sure it’s not Covid, but we’ve done a postal test and are self isolating in case. We have a 23 month old DS who had a snotty nose for a few days and was a bit out of sorts (he picked it up from nursery and passed it to us). He’s now fine and is climbing the walls literally. We can’t take him out and we don’t have a garden. We both feel so ill we just want to lay in bed and both of us have no energy. In normal timed (pre Covid) we would have taken him to his grandparents for the day, to give us time to rest: what are we meant to do?! [sad]

TheSeedsOfADream · 03/09/2020 08:06

In the nicest possible way, what parents who both get ill with colds and stuff at the same time do, and have done since forever. Have a lemsip, sit your toddler in front of the telly.
Don't worry too much about taking him out. This too shall pass.
Hope you feel better soon

Findahouse21 · 03/09/2020 08:08

Take it in shifts, 3 hours at a time. Lots of crap TV and easy meals

Thesearmsofmine · 03/09/2020 08:08

Yep as above tv on whole you lie on the sofa. Depending on how bad while you and DH could take turns while the other rests. Be thankful there is two of you there to have that option.

Adwodeabo · 03/09/2020 08:09

Crisps. Telly. Take turns lying down for a bit. It sucks being ill when you still have to parent

Youvegotafriendinme · 03/09/2020 08:13

You just have to do your best to work together to get through I’m afraid.
I gave me and DH food poisoning last Christmas and my poor 3 year old DS had to practically fend for himself for 2 days. arsehole in-laws refusing to help us I Literally crawled on my hands and knees into the kitchen to try and make him some food. It happens, just stick him in front of the tv and do your best

mdh2020 · 03/09/2020 08:23

When I had flu I lay in bed and my toddler sat on the bed and played and then when I woke up she was asleep. We’ve all had to cope with this. Your child will survive. It’s why tv was invented.

ReturnofSaturn · 03/09/2020 08:35

You have to get on with it like the rest of us who have no alternative childcare.

When I was last very sick I spent a lot of time on the couch and let my toddler to it a bit with one eye open, and I have a particularly naughty child too.

newmumwithquestions · 03/09/2020 08:41

Lower your standards. Whatever food you have in is fine. TV is fine. Doing no laundry or anything more than throwing dirty dishes in the dishwasher is fine.
Do you have a garden? If so wrap up and let your toddler go out with you for 20 mins, then swap over shifts allowing the other one of you to go back to bed.

mummabubs · 03/09/2020 08:50

My husband and I have no family closer than 3 hours away so we've also had to manage our toddler solo whenever we've been ill. It's hard, I won't lie, but we've found being compassionate to ourselves and dropping our expectations as parents helped- a bit more TV won't hurt, easy meals are your friend. If you set up drawing activities would your toddler do this on the floor while you sit on the sofa? We've also done the shifts idea too which helped.

I know it's hard OP and I hope you both feel better soon. I'm sure this experience has made you appreciate having the option of grandparent care that's usually available to you!

notevenat20 · 03/09/2020 09:06

This is more or less the definition of being a parent. If you lost your leg in a horrific car accident you would still have to carry your baby away from the scene on one leg while reassuring them.

The key is not to worry. If your toddler is loved they can go a week without their normal outdoor activities. It will all be fine.

Ginger1982 · 03/09/2020 10:18

I sympathise. My son is very demanding and not the type to sit in front of the tv without needing input from me in terms of playing etc.

Kaktus · 03/09/2020 10:21

Yeah it’s tough isn’t it. Until recently we didn’t live near any family, DH works away a lot and I have 3 young DC’s so have had many many days where I’ve had to look after the children when ill myself.
TV is your friend. Lie on the sofa and have a ‘film day’. Easy snack food for lunch/dinner. It will pass.

fedupandlookingforchange · 03/09/2020 10:23

Ipad and kids youtube is what I do as he doesn't usually get to watch youtube. Any snacks he wants but I hide the sugary ones.
I keep a couple of new toys and books wrapped up and in situations like this a present keeps them occupied and the promise of another for good behaviour for the rest of the day keeps them quiet

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 03/09/2020 10:25

At least there are 2 of you to take turns, it's already 50 % easier !
Snacks, tv , ipad , there are no rules right now!

Bol87 · 03/09/2020 11:20

You get on with it. It’s shitty but it’s parent life unfortunately. The amount of awful colds I’ve caught from my 3 year old & battled through looking after her. But you carry on. It’ll only be a few days of the worst bit. Take it in turns if you can. Let you DC watch all the TV & eat all the snacks. Encourage naps. Early bedtime to give you a breather.

I had Hyperemesis last year & spent 9 months vomiting & caring for a 2 year old. The first 4 months, I was sick 20/30 times a day. It was AWFUL. Looking back, I’ve no idea how I held down a new job, a toddler & the illness. I felt like I was dying most days. I was in & out of hospital. It was the toughest period of my life to date. I used to bath my daughter & throw up over her head into the toilet. The smell of water?! made me so ill.

But I digress. It’s tough but you’ll get through it. Don’t stress. Hope it passes quickly!

Kaktus · 03/09/2020 11:54

@Bol87

You get on with it. It’s shitty but it’s parent life unfortunately. The amount of awful colds I’ve caught from my 3 year old & battled through looking after her. But you carry on. It’ll only be a few days of the worst bit. Take it in turns if you can. Let you DC watch all the TV & eat all the snacks. Encourage naps. Early bedtime to give you a breather.

I had Hyperemesis last year & spent 9 months vomiting & caring for a 2 year old. The first 4 months, I was sick 20/30 times a day. It was AWFUL. Looking back, I’ve no idea how I held down a new job, a toddler & the illness. I felt like I was dying most days. I was in & out of hospital. It was the toughest period of my life to date. I used to bath my daughter & throw up over her head into the toilet. The smell of water?! made me so ill.

But I digress. It’s tough but you’ll get through it. Don’t stress. Hope it passes quickly!

That’s just reminded me, when I had HG with DD2 I spent a large part of my time with my head in the toilet. DD1 was only 12 months old and she used to stand next to me copying my bending over and wretching!