how do you cope looking after sick kids when you're sick yourself?

[MamaChocoholic]

I have flu. Real proper flu, the kind that last night in bed I was sweating, shivering, and couldn't physically sit up to get any paracetamol, so I had to just lie there for hours. (I was cosleeping with the babies, dp was in our room). The dts (16mo) also have flu and I was home with them both today. Just as I thought dt2 was getting over it, his temperature went up before bedtime. Now ds1 (4) is getting it.

dp was home today too and looked after dt2 while dt1 and I mostly slept, but has to be in work tomorrow. So I can stick ds1 in front of cbeebies, but wtf am I going to do with two miserable and unwell toddlers when I don't have the energy to even sit up?

The television. Microwave / convenience food. Low standards of household jobs.

Or call in the cavalry. Do you have ILs or parents who would step in for a day?

Sorry to hear everyone is in such a state. Hope things improve quickly.

Oh no, they're too little eveni for tv aren't they. I've got a 16 month old and have been vomiting all yeah. Luckily dh cd stay off but now he's got it too.

Cd your dp make some basic pasta or something before he goes, so you juste have to microwave it?

no parents/ILs, no microwave! (but not a problem, we can eat toast, fruit and yoghurt). I also intend to ignore household jobs :)

it's more what do I do when they both want to be entertained or when they start pushing each other about. how do I get the energy? ds1 and one toddler would be ok. two, I don't know how I will cope :(

just having a whinge really, but any ideas for low effort entertaining of 16mo would be fantastic.

sorry you're all sick too Levantine

Just put loads of stuff they don't normally get to play with on the living room floor. Pots, pans, wooden spoons, whisks, All of the Tupperware you own? Plastic plates. An Argos catalogue for shredding.

And then make sure the tv is on a cartoon loop for noise and wrap up in a blanket on the sofa.

Tell the 4yo that they are all to stay on the same room as mummy and wake her up if anyone escapes.

Batten down the hatches.

Good luck.

I had gastroenteritis when DD was about five months old and DS was nearly three years old, I was a single mum. DS had just been ill in the three weeks previously, croup then a virus then the gastric bug, so was still recovering. I was breastfeeding. I literally crawled about the house, got a whole bunch of supplies together and took them into the bedroom, snacks and drinks for DS and water and medicine for me, DVDs and toys, nappies and changes of clothes for the kids, extra toilet rolls and vaseline for tender bottoms, bleach for the bathroom, extra blankets and pillows. We camped in my room for most of the four days I was really ill. Mum came and helped when she could, but had she not been there I would have used the internet to order in more supplies.

outofbody that's a great plan. no wooden spoons because they will beat each other with them, but the rest sounds great.

GrownUp that sounds awful. well done surviving. when we've all had d&v before it's been terrible.

I've just been through this but with a 3.5 yo who can now play very well on her own. But I still relied on other help: DH, MIL, my mum and some local mums who pitched in from DD's pre-school (they are true angels).

Do you have any friends who can babysit for you whilst you stay in bed - even a few hours will help you...

most friends either at work or home with their own babies, and I wouldn't want to expose them to infection.

but outofbody's plan sounds really good. I will empty contents of the children's kitchen cupboard on the floor, I will clear a shelf that they can put things on and off. ds1 can stare at cbeebies entertain them a bit too. I can even lie on the floor in my duvet and let them clamber all over me. feeling slightly less scared now.

You call me in!
Ive been and rescued my pal this morning, took her baby to nursery so her & her dh could sit with matching vomit bowls on the sofa all day!

I didnt have any body when mine were ill, so i know what its like to feel how you do...so i try my best to be there as they have no family nearby.

you sound lovely gigglepin :) your friends are very lucky.