I feel so poorly I can barely look after my kids

[lonelyhearts3]

I have no idea what to do. I have Covid and never felt so poorly in my life. I’m on Day 3 and have a fever, relentless nausea, body aches, fatigue, every single symptom going. It feels like a bad case of flu where I’m struggling to even take myself to the toilet.

My Mum was helping me but has just come down with it as well and my partner is abroad on work. I have nobody else to call. I don’t know what to do, any tips? For those who have had Covid recently, what day did you start to feel better? I can’t stop crying because I’m struggling so bad.

How old are they op?

@Comedycookreally young, 2 and 1.

Your partner needs to come home. Poor you.

Husband needs to come home if you're not safe to look after them.

This happened to me when Dh was abroad too and we have no family who can help. Lots of cold & flu tablets with caffeine to give you a boost, I also had berocca and lots of water. It was absolute hell but I managed it. I slept as soon as they slept

good luck op I really sympathise ❤️

As others have said get your DH to come home. Could your mother do some "shifts" with the children, so whoever feels worst at the time can get some rest in between looking out for the DC and at least there would be another adult in the house.

Make sure you keep hydrated.Don't worry about how much babies TV the DC watch or what easy food you prepare for them. They can have indoor "picnics" with a blanket on the floor to catch all the crumbs. Leave all the household chores until your DH gets back.

It sounds so hard - just hope you feel better soon and none of the DC come down with it too.

He’s on his way but still won’t be for another day still :( I wish there was a service for situations like this - it’s so rough!!!

Try the childcare app for emergency babysitting or housekeeping. They have flexible arrangements. Kind of like Airbnb for childcare - put in what you need.

you might not want to leave a stranger in charge, but you could get some respite while your mum and you are present

Put a message on your local Facebook community page asking for any help that anyone could offer you.

Your poor thing, I feel so bad for you.

Take painkillers, put the TV on, all food can be out of a packet, do not put any pressure on yourself to clean and tidy. This is hell but it won't last forever, few more days and I hope you start to improve.

Not lots of cold and flu tablets as suggested above or you’ll have liver failure also. It sounds awful for you. If things are that bad, could social services help or a childminder come but latter probably not great with Covid in your house. Your DH will need to be very careful not to catch once he’s home.

Unfortunately you just have to do the bare minimum to keep them alive/ safe. Dose yourself ip on max paracetamol alternated with max ibuprofen ( if safe for you to take) lots of fluids and trickle bland food in. Put kids in their cots and you make a bed on their floor and just make sure kids have food, drink and nappy changes.

Thanks everyone ❤️

This. When I had sickness bug and pregnant with second I kept my son in his cot. Was only for couple of days. Obviously fed him and did nappy changes

Hope you feel better soon x

How old are your kids? Can you make a den in the living room with duvets, blankets, pillows and the tv. Everyone just camp in the living room

I really feel for you.

Do you have the funds to order in takeout food for the kids? Happy meals? And for yourself too.

I know it isn't ideal. But you're in survival mode.

Oh It’s awful, I completely understand. I’m a single parent with no support so when I’ve been horribly unwell, it’s absolutely hell.
With the 1 year old, do you have a travel cot you could set up as a play pen with blankets and toys for a couple of hours here and there in the sitting room, while you rest on the sofa and let the 2 year old move around the room freely if it’s childproof? I would say just have plenty of snacks on hand for the kids and easy meals like toast and beans where you can’t stand up long to cook. Have the toys out and cartoons on, anything to keep them occupied for as long as possible to limit the times you have to get up.
Keep taking paracetamol to help with the fever too.
Hope you’re better soon, this really is a horrible helpless feeling… Do whatever you can to just get through the next day or so until your partner is home…x

Yes, just had it, felt absolutely flippin awful. Suddenly felt alot better on about day 4/ 5 though and recovered quickly. Lots of paracetamol and ibuprofen, put kids in front of telly whilst you rest on the sofa. Hang in there, it will get better xx

I had it bad the at the end of July. Poorly enough to need to take a week off work. It’s a horrible strain, you have my sympathies. I had two full days where I really couldn’t face getting out of bed. Day 4 I was able to potter slowly downstairs. Luckily my DC are older and my husband was off work anyway that week (summer holidays) so I didn’t have to worry about anything other than resting. I hope you turn a corner soon OP x

Who in fucks name phones social services and says I've got covid can you look after my kids even though my mum's here and my husband is on the way. Do you seriously seriously think social services have the resources for this? Because they absolutely do not, this is NOT what social services is for. Long term chronic illness for single parents YES, a short term viral illness with a grandparent and husband, NO.

OP, I understand your misery. When the original strain of covid was out my husband and I both came down with it at the same time and we had two kids under 6 at home. It was hell on earth for two weeks and this was when restrictions were still in place so no one could come help and we had to isolate, the only support we had was family dropping food and medicine at the door for us. It's absolutely soul destroying but please keep telling yourself this won't last forever, this is temporary, you will get through it.

For the kiddos, the easiest most basic foods ever, super noodles, toast, cereal etc, constant kids TV or Disney movies on. Have them in bed with you if it helps during the day for naps etc.

No advice that hasn't already been given, but I was in this situation a couple of months ago and it was absolutely awful. I hope you feel much better in a day or two, then take some proper time to rest when your husband is back. You can do this! X

I think you need to have DC either upstairs on cots or downstairs with you. Don't try to carry them up and down the stairs as your legs could give way. Sit in front of a TV with Bluey on. Feed by Uber Eat and toast and cereal. It's only 1 day until your DH arrives. It was day 5 before I could get up and down stairs. I tried on day 4 and my legs gave way. I slept for almost 2 days.

noooo. how to invite unchecked strangers into your home. very bad idea