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What do you let your DC's get away with when they're feeling under the weather? Tell Nurofen for Children for a chance to win a £250 Love2Shop voucher! NOW CLOSED

509 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 16/02/2015 15:09

Nurofen for Children have asked us to find out which special privileges and treats you use to distract your DC when they’re under the weather.

Here’s what Nurofen for Children have to say: “Our research shows that a quarter of parents find the health of their child the most difficult subject to make decisions on. As parents, you want health advice you can trust. Nurofen for Children is trusted by parents - 9/10 parents who used it would recommend it to a friend*. If your child is struck down with cold, pain or fever, Nurofen for Children offers products to help manage their symptoms. It starts to work in just 15 minutes to bring down a temperature and is clinically proven to last longer than paracetemol to relieve a fever.”

So, what do you let your DC's get away with when they're feeling under the weather? For example, are they allowed to watch TV or play with consoles for longer? Or are they allowed to eat as many sugary snacks as they like? Do you have any special games or inspired tips to keep them entertained when they're poorly?

Tell us how you spoil your kids when they're poorly and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

*Survey of Survey of 2,000 parents by OnePoll. March 2014
**Survey by Mum's Views of 225 mums ‘9 out of 10 mums who used NfC would recommend it to a friend’. Last accessed August 2013

Sponsored thread

Terms and conditions
• To enter the competition simply post a comment below telling us how you spoil your children when they are poorly
• Competition closes on Friday 6 March 2015
• Entries posted after the closing date will not be considered
• One winner will be chosen from all entries
• Entrants must be aged 18 or over
• Competition hosted by Mumsnet, Deane House Studios (Studio 6), Greenwood Place, Highgate Road, London, NW5 1LB
• Mumsnet will choose the winner at random after the closing date
• Mumsnet will contact the winner privately to organise delivery of the prize
• The prize is £250 Love2Shop vouchers
• Full T&Cs can be here

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OP posts:
Picoas66 · 19/02/2015 20:44

Homemade chicken soup is what i do when they are feeling under the weather - with brilliant results :)

Anj123 · 19/02/2015 21:01

When my little girl feels ill, I let her lie on the sofa watching lots of TV. If she has a sore throat I make jellies for her.

Iamfrankieheck · 19/02/2015 21:06

I have a special cover for when my kids are ill. It has a smiley face on it and a 3d nose and I tell them if they feel worse, or like they are going to be sick etc they should squeeze the nose and I will get a signal that they need me...they totally believed this especially when younger and even now my 14 year old still uses it when ill (though no longer presses the nose) Smile

LostMyBaubles · 19/02/2015 21:24

My eldest is ill a lot. He was in hospital yesterday and today. This was however a planned visit (a few tests) and so I bought him a few small toys. One was a sensory toy and the other was one of them tangle things. He loved it. He also loves bubbles when hes ill.
He cant have nurofen as he bleeds internally which is such a shame as it's sooo much better than bog standard paracetamol.

When ds 2 is ill its nurofen to the rescue! I use this as first line action lol as I know this will work quick. He will then sit in his chair with his mickey mouse blanket hold of my hand.

The baby has been ill with his chest and I gave him nurofen and it wasnt long till he was laughing again. His extra treat was cuddles too.
you cant beat cuddles with mummy/daddy

JeanetteDanielsBenziger · 19/02/2015 21:24

So, are you a bit more lenient on your Darling Children when they’re feeling under the weather?

Yes.

For example, are they allowed to watch TV or play with consoles for longer? Do you let them set up camp with a duvet on the sofa? Or are they allowed to eat as many sugary snacks as they like?

All of this except they are not allowed as many sugary snacks as they like, I do make 'sick soup' which isn't as disgusting as it sounds, It's just a chicken broth but has been christened sick soup in our house.

Do you have any special games or inspired tips to keep them entertained when they're poorly?

Not really, I just down tools and cuddle them.

JoInScotland · 19/02/2015 21:32

So, are you a bit more lenient on your Darling Children when they’re feeling under the weather? For example, are they allowed to watch TV or play with consoles for longer? Do you let them set up camp with a duvet on the sofa? Or are they allowed to eat as many sugary snacks as they like? Do you have any special games or inspired tips to keep them entertained when they're poorly?

JoInScotland · 19/02/2015 21:35

So, are you a bit more lenient on your Darling Children when they’re feeling under the weather?

I help tidy up and don't tell him off - he's only 5.

For example, are they allowed to watch TV or play with consoles for longer?

Yes, he gets to watch videos and play with the I-pad for longer than usual. What else is there to do when you're feeling rubbish and lying down? Plus he loves to read, so that's unlimited!

Do you let them set up camp with a duvet on the sofa?

Son likes to set up camp on the spare bed in the sitting room, beside the cat hammock on the radiator. Then he has his furry friend nearby as well as his electronic devices.

Or are they allowed to eat as many sugary snacks as they like?

No, not sugary snacks when ill. I will make jelly if he has a sore throat, or tempt his appetite with something he loves (like curry) if he's not up to much. I always like semolina when I feel rubbish, but DS doesn't go for that.

Do you have any special games or inspired tips to keep them entertained when they're poorly?

I like to show him clips on YouTube of songs we sang as children - skipping songs, that sort of thing. Old commercials are fun too. Lots of cuddling as well!

tanyavt · 19/02/2015 21:47

Depends what is wrong... but usually duvet days on the sofa with a movie. Food wise, usually their appetites are affected.. if not, then there's not too much wrong with them... and they should be at school!!
Nurofen is always our winner for pain and fever relief... DS sometimes says he has pain as it's the nurofen he's after!

faceremovinghaircream · 19/02/2015 22:01

Lots of snuggles and favourite films.

OsloGin · 19/02/2015 22:08

We have a heated faux fur blanket that we all snuggle under when poorly. The DC often request odd foodstuffs when ill. This has included Christmas cake in May. With a full repertoire of decorations. I did my best to oblige Cake

Princessxo · 19/02/2015 23:36

Honestly? DS gets to do whatever he wants (within reason) and his favourite food.

stealthsquiggle · 19/02/2015 23:47

If my DC are poorly enough to be off school, then they spend most of the day in bed (their own, or mine). Once they surface I may find a film for them to watch and let them snuggle on the sofa with a duvet, and light the fire early if it's cold. I do use nurofen (less now with dc1 as he can take tablets, so he has non-branded ibuprofen same as DH and I) and paracetamol, at intervals, to keep down temperature.

Food tends to be limited to toast if they are poorly enough to be home - if they are not really eating then I will offer hot chocolate.

nerysw · 20/02/2015 07:38

They're allowed a lot more tv than normal when they're ill and a blanket on the sofa seems to make them feel better. I don't allow them more treats or sweets than normal but I will make them whatever meals they request (within reason). I tend to write off whatever I was planning and stay close as there's a lot more wanting to sit on my knee than normal.

scat1985 · 20/02/2015 09:17

When my children are poorly I let them lie down on the sofa with a quilt and a pillow and watch children's tv. I give them ice lollies to keep their temperature down and their fluids up and let them eat what they feel like eating. I keep them well propped up if they have a cold / cough.
I think that keeping their temperature down makes them feel generally better.

CMOTDibbler · 20/02/2015 09:20

Ds is very, very rarely ill. But when he is, he gets to stay in my bed for the day and watch dvds.
Food isn't special, but usually tomato soup and toast is comforting and not so exciting that being ill is seen as a treat

rupert23 · 20/02/2015 13:08

When they are not well i let them snuggle up on the sofa in a big blanket and watch their choice of tv. I do let them rest and have a hot chocolate and lots of cuddles and medicine to make them feel better. Hopefully they are not all ill at the same time.

nightswift · 20/02/2015 13:15

Pjs and blanket on the livingroom sofa is what happens here. White bread toast with lots of butter is the sick treat in this house - no sweets allowed!

yummum120 · 20/02/2015 13:34

Mine gets lots of cuddles, I get to have a little break as well, by cuddling them and watching kids cartoons for a while (House is quieter than normal). I give mine lots of ice lollies to ensure they getting their fluids, and lucozade as a treat.

RhinosAreFatUnicorns · 20/02/2015 15:12

Cuddles on the sofa and choice of films. Thankfully my daughter doesn't get ill often, but after a recent accident, was allowed disney films back to back :). If she's off her food, then she gets what she wants - as long as she's getting something in her, I can live with a diet of chocolate buttons and yoghurt for a day or so.

Hathall · 20/02/2015 15:20

I let mine snuggle on the sofa with their duvets with TV/DVDs on.
They get lots of hugs and fuss.
I don't give them sugary treats though. They're more likely to eat soup and plain toast.
Horlicks if they don't feel like eating.

timeforacheckup · 20/02/2015 17:04

I currently have two with chicken pox. They are snuggled up on the sofa with the poorly blankets watching a tinkerbell marathon! They have icecream to eat as the spots are in their mouths but apparently the best treat is being a home with me all day!

MarkingMyPlace9 · 20/02/2015 18:27

My little Boy gets lots more Cuddles when He's feeling poorly. And any kind of Food He wants to make Him feel better, normally Ice Cream and Yoghurts! We also put His fave Program on - Wallykazam! - And snuggle up together on the Sofa

Nerf · 20/02/2015 19:21

Ha well mine have to be really poorly to get a day off and if they do, there's no clubs or parties later. So I'm starting from quite a strict policy!
However, once they've proved their sickly status, they get to tuck into our bed, tucked up with a tray of drinks and ice cubes, watching a DVD in mummy and daddy's room, and having little checks by me throughout the day, sipping pathetic little mouthfuls of lemonade and nibbling feebly at biscuits.

NimpyWWindowmash · 20/02/2015 20:43

I make a huge bowl of jelly.

Works for sore throat, icky tummy, and is a way to get liquids into them!

solastyear · 20/02/2015 21:02

Yes I am more lenient when DD is ill - if she feels like watching tv then she can as long as she likes. We usually set up a bed on the sofa and let her eat pretty much what she fancies within reason.