What do you do for entertainment when they're home ill?

[perpetualworrier]

DS1 has been off school today, quite poorly with a cold type bug and horrid cough.

He's very lethargic, hasn't eaten and has spent much of they day laid on the sofa, drifting in and out of sleep.

When he's awake he wants the TV on, reasonable enough as he's too ill to do much else. Only problem is DS2, who's perfectly well (for the moment)has also watched TV all day.

Does anyone have a better plan, or do I just have to accept it and hope it doesn't last long?

Ooooh, I am MEAN. If they are too ill to go to school, they have to stay in bed and just relax. No telly

I should add good care is taken of them. Just no TV.
Hope he feels better soon.

Glad you are not my Mum Marina!

I do only have the one DS but if off ill TV is fine. In fact TV fine in the house generally! [Bad mummy emoticon]

I do get what you're saying Marina and it certainly crossed my mind. This is his 4th year in school and it's only his 2nd day off though, so it's not like he might be pulling a fast one. I felt mean exiling him to his bedroom, while we had fun downstairs.

If I thought he'd conned me into letting him stay home, he'd be doing school work

Mine is home ill and we've done loads of stuff together. Was really nice to spend the day with her. Couldn't have sent her to school tho cos her head is bulging with cold.

I've had a fun day off work too!

Oh I tend to let them do what they want. Which is mostly lying on the sofa watching dvds (as ds is doing right now).

Ds is 6, and certainly not swinging the lead. Was dressed for school before we pointed out that they might not want him after he had spent the night yakking...

I try not to entertain mine too much when they are ill.....I want the prospect of going back to school to be exciting!

Depends how ill. I do let dd have lots of tv/dvds when really ill - and yes, dd2 gets pulled in by it - but try and intersperse with stories. dd2 is only 1, but will sit and look at books with us for a bit. If she's contagious as opposed to ill, then I try and get her doing more quiet playing/activities stuff - she's nearly 4.