Life on hold: How do you cope when kids are sick?

[Artyparty]

I haven't left the house since last Saturday- I tell a lie- I put the bins out & hung some washing (the highlight).
DC #1 has had a really nasty virus which seems to mutate each day - we've been to the Dr & it's just a case of waiting it out. DC#2 is only a couple of months & has a few of the mild symptons. DH and I just feel under the weather.

I'm obviously glad it's not serious but am sooo fed up and going a bit mental... No one can visit, we haven't been to any of the normal groups (of course) I've had no adult contact except for DH and saying morning to a neighbour. Family are miles away & I wouldn't want them to get ill anyway.

I am having unwanted thoughts & getting really down; I could dissappear off the face if the earth & no one would notice!!

This is motherhood tho isn't it? No wonder hardly any dads are the primary carer....

How do Mumsnetters keep morale up in this situation?

Tomorrow, your dp could stay home whilst you get out and about. Otherwise you will go stir crazy. Ditto Sunday, or you could all go for a walk as a family somewhere where you won't be mixing with other people

My sympathies. Is it really that bad that you can't even get out for half an hour? Even to the supermarket (my fallback solution, DD loves Tesco)? Or a walk out as suggested above? The weather's ok today.

I must confess DD has never really been that poorly so my experience is limited. But she's 100% worse if she doesn't get out for a bit so I try to do something with her - even if she can't socialise much.

Put them in the pushchair/car and walk/drive til both are asleep. Read a magazine (bought from a newsagent you can walk to or from a petrol station if in the car...) drink coffee, eat secret chocolate and just enjoy the peace.
If your eldest is well enough, go to a quiet playground or for a walk somewhere?
It sucks I know, we're in self-imposed quarantine here as ds has just had chickenpox and we're waiting for dd to get it now. We've spent time in quiet playgrounds and in the garden, I feel a lot better after a bit of fresh air and exercise.

I know how you feel.
ds1 has been ill since Tuesday. I mean really ill.
Hes 'ketogenic, heart rate is too fast, temp too high (39.8) and is very unhappy' dr describing ds to paed on call at local hosp. We went up..They did fuck all sent ua home. His temp didn't come down so took him to ooh. They saw him straight away and gave him antibiotics as he has tonsillitis (again) and he gets really ill when he gets it. Im pregnant and im getting it plus kidney pain. Ds2 is getting it and dh is at work and can't get time off.
Weather is nice he has perked a little waa going to take him to the swings (2mins away) but hes not up for it. I really need to get some shopping done so will have to dose the kids up and go tomorrow

Ps the eldest has other health problems (sn and border line autistic)he doesnt understand him feeling this unwell and his tummy hurts more (hes fed via tube in his stomach and hes not tolerating it as well as he should be)
Rant over.

Leave them with DH tomorrow and get out and do something to cheer yourself up

Be kind to yourself and just try to get through it and know it will get better

Do you normally have some time to yourself every week?

My sympathies, we've all been ill this week. I've spent most of the week curled up under a blanket on the sofa whilst the kids have been glued to Stampycat, both of them snuggled in blankets and all three of us feeling rotten. Now the house looks like a bomb hit it and now I feel slightly better I've a week's worth of housework to catch up on. Oh the rock n roll lifeystle of the single parent.

Thanks guys.
stow she's been too ill to go out. Really sleepy under a blanket as you say dwerf.

isitme that sounds rotten & much more serious- I hope you are all ok. You've given me some perspective.
Like the car idea eatcake mag & coffee sounds heaven.
DH giving me some time off tomorrow so will make the most.
Need to build up some resilience for future quarantines- I find it sooooo depressing:....(

dreaming -i haven't been alone since my youngest was born a couple of months ago. She is breast fed & I'm hopeless at expressing. Also she is just tiny & attached to me!!
My eldest usually goes to pre school for 15 hours & that feels like a break. I rely on it to get some head space.

You have my every sympathy. This was me a few weeks ago. I could have wrote your post word for word. It's hard.

All I can say is that your feelings will pass. DC will soon be back to normal and it will be such a relief that you'll really appreciate normality again. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated life the last couple weeks (especially now the sun is shining!) and haven't taken anything for granted. That week of 'hell' was good for me in a way. I am cherishing motherhood again, so much.

Always remember - 'this too shall pass'.

It's really tough, you have my sympathy. I was stuck in with ds last week whilst he had chicken pox. The highlight of my week was disappearing to sainsburys for a couple of hours on Saturday, it was heaven, had a little chill out in the cafe too and returned much more refreshed. Enjoy your time off tomorrow.