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Original poster

Sick child and TV - am I being a bad mum?

18 replies

JoshandJamie · 20/11/2006 07:12

I run my own business from home. My children go to nursery 2 days a week and I fit the rest of my work in during evenings, weekends, the crack of dawn etc. On Friday my youngest son was off ill so I couldn't send him to nursery and subsequently got very little done.

Today my older son (2.9 years) is sick and can't go to nursery. Despite working all day yesterday, I am so far behind I could cry. Would it be really wrong of me to stick my older son in front of the TV for big chunks of the day today?

I know when I'm sick I just want to sit and veg in front of the TV, but I know kids shouldn't have too much TV. Am trying to toss up just using the TV as a babysitter or sacrificing my work day and just try to work till midnight once they've gone to sleep.

This juggling lark is not fun.

OP posts:
dabihp · 20/11/2006 07:14

stick him in front of telly... he will most likely doze on and off (so won't actually watch too mcuh?)

dont feel guilty. its one day. parents feel too much guilt these days!

redshoes · 20/11/2006 07:29

Usual rules don't apply when they're sick! I would let him watch tv and snooze all day ESPECIALLY if you need to work.

paulaplumpbottom · 20/11/2006 07:30

There should be advantages to being sick. Vegging in front of the TV is certainly one of them. Don't worry about it.

NotQuiteCockney · 20/11/2006 07:30

We are pretty much a zero tv household here (maybe half an hour of tv per week, on average, for the kids?). But if the kids are ill, or if I'm ill and DH isn't home, well, all bets are off.

As far as I'm concerned, this is what TV is for - vegging out in front of when you're ill.

Original poster
JoshandJamie · 20/11/2006 08:42

Ok - am convinced. TV will be put to use today. We'll just have to get lots of fresh air tomorrow to make up for it. Thanks for easing my guilt!

OP posts:
hulababy · 20/11/2006 08:45

Yes, special treats when ill. Laying on sofa with duvet, surrounded by toys and books, and TV set to children's channel (or DVDs).

earlysbird · 20/11/2006 09:00

thank god for the responses here, my DT2 (2.11) is sick too and will be lying on the sofa for the best part of the day, its all I ever used to do when ill as a child, special treats when poorly

colditz · 20/11/2006 09:02

That is what the telly is for! entertainment when you can't do anything else - like when you are ill.

I bet he will be really greatful. Ds1 loves to veg when ill, although is practically electrified at all other times.

Chandra · 20/11/2006 09:04

DS is not well either. Although I doubt he will stay still on front of TV, I would try

Wordsmith · 20/11/2006 09:06

Josh and Jamie - are you me? Your working life sounds exactly the same as mine until recently. Sickness is a real chore - if you don't work, you don't earn! I would definitely stick him in front of the TV and thank your lucky stars that he'll stay there! My 2.7 yr old won't sit still for that long. My 6 year old, on the other hand, you could leave there for days...

Carmenere · 20/11/2006 09:07

Well my dd isn't ill but I have lots of work to do today and she will spend a lot of the morning watching ceebeebies because I have to work. It just a fact of life, she will go to her pre-school this afternoon and probably to run around the park, weather permitting, for 30 minutes but the reality of the situation is that I have to work and she is safe and happy. Not ideal but it's the best we can manage atm.

SherlockLGJ · 20/11/2006 09:07

DS(5) is has a heavy head cold, and a temp, we have pulled out the sofa bed, lit the fire and given him the remote he thinks he has died and gone to heaven.

J&J

Consider your self lucky, I contract and if I don't work, I don't get paid, DH and I examined all the options, but drew the line at leaving him with a packed lunch and trying to get back before it got dark.

busybusymum · 20/11/2006 09:24

definately put on their fave channel, a pillow and a snuggly blanket, rest and sleep are good when ill.

Original poster
JoshandJamie · 20/11/2006 09:24

so far, the TV plan isn't working. 'I don't like Balamory.' 'I don't like teletubbies'. 'I don't like tweenies.....'

Would you like a DVD? Yes. What would you like? I can't think about it. Would you like Toy Story? No. Lion King? no. Thomas the tank? No. Bob the builder? No. Dora? No. Aladdin? No. Nemo? No. etc etc etc

I want to sit on your lap mommy. Anyone fancy writing two 1000 word articles for me? Did I mention I've had 3 hours sleep?

OP posts:
sandcastles · 20/11/2006 10:09

My dd has tonsilitus and has spend a huge amount of time in front of the TV today. Usual rules go out the window at a time like this!

spinasnowflake · 20/11/2006 10:45

JandJ, Poor you! Sounds like you'll need a day in front of the telly soon!

i'm all for TV/duvet/sick days. Some of the happiest memories of my own childhood.......

Hope J(don't know which one) has reconsidered his TV/DVD position and is snuggled up asleep.

My DS has just flaked out, high on Nurofen in front of TV on the few occassions he has being ill.(having said that he did sleepless Chicken pox while dropping his naps and potty training in June-so I needed a lie down last time he was ill!)

snorkle · 20/11/2006 11:36

Message withdrawn

earlysbird · 20/11/2006 12:33

DT1 wants to join in the fun now, just back from playgroup, so both DTs rolled up in duvets watching tweenies - its great

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