illness in the house?top tips for surviving!

[liveinazoo]

in last 3 weeks ds has had wheezing and steroids
2 of dds have vomited
dd2 has now got a vivid red rash all over and attitude

tips for surviving being cooped up with poorly little ones
sanity left me days ago but would appreciate some tips for next time around.....

You need your ill kit at the ready-

1. Sicky bowl(s)
2. Calpol, child ibuprofen
3. Flannels for sponging down hot heads
4. blankets -single bed size fleece cartoon ones, have 3 per child, to cover where they are sitting on sofa, or in bed - one to snuggle under and third spare one is so you can whip away to washing machine if they are sick, & replace seamlessly- thus avoiding time you might spend scrubbing your sofa.
5. Water bottles
6. Biscuits
7. DVDs to watch

8.Nowhere to go for a few days and scant plans to sleep (I have makeshift floor bed ready to go out so I can sleep in kids bedrooms when the are really sick)

1. Telephone so you can ring your friends to hear an adult voice

10. Flat cola (leave lid off overnight or out in glass on fridge seems to work) 11. Those actimel type yoghurt drinks (with the bifidicus in it) for after D bit stops (helps tummies go back to normal) 12. A good book to read to DC and one for you (whilst your cuddling them and they are watching Fifi flowertops which you can no longer bear)

And you're all set for cuddling up on sofa with DCs.

Oh and we have box of arts & crafts stuff, a making things book & a kids 'everyday science experiments' book to occupy them during ill days at home when they are feeling livelier

if mine are are grouchy, I sit them at table to make cards to grandparents, & a get well well crown for themselves (or siblings if they are being kind)

If desperate with stir crazy children, bung all DC in the car in their dressing gowns, to go for a drive with windows slightly open, to get "at least some fresh air!"

Wine. Lots of it. And earplugs. Or a ticket to somewhere sunny with palm trees and hunky men to massage you while DP/DH/your mum/next door's cat looks after the ill DC's...

Erm, check medicine cupboards, make sure you have Calpol and Nurofen for littlies, 6+ for those that need it, and pills for any older ones.

A working thermometer. Enough sick bowls for everyone. Including you. I forgot this, and last time ended up having to vomit into my mixing bowl, throw it away and buy a new one...

Lots of soft tissues for snotty noses. Cold and flu pills for any over 12's. Light foods like soup in food cupboards, and bananas.

Dioralyte rehydration sachets. A good book for you to read while being snotted over.

Dettol in one hand and wine in the other!