All kindergarten DS wants to do when he's sick is watch tv, play nintendo, or sleep. I usually fold laundry, straighten up, or lesson plan while he does those things. Sometimes I will play nintendo with him.

I binge watch Bravo. Sometimes on my laptop on the couch sitting next to DS who is watching the TV. Sometimes up in my room if DS is just watching TV and doesn’t need a ton of monitoring. I get him meals and make sure he’s taking in fluids but besides that it’s a resting day for both of us.

I wouldn't feel guilty that you're not on top of her 24/7. My kids *hate* that when they're sick. They don't want to engage, they want to hang out in bed reading, sleeping, watching some TV and just generally relaxing. If I pop in every hour or so to check on how they're doing and whether they want/need anything, that's about all of me they can stand. They really want me to be elsewhere doing whatever keeps me out of their business, and if something changes and they decide they want my company they'll either ask for it or come find me depending on how they feel.

Our 3yo was sick yesterday. She fell asleep watching paw patrol. I felt like a bad mom. Just survive the day.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for this validation. I feel like a bad employee because I am watching Parks and Rec (I took a sick day, it’s legit but I still feel guilty) and I feel mom guilt that we have colored, played LOLs and had breakfast but now I am letting her watch Sofia the First on her bed. I guess I just need to get over the mom / working mom guilt and settle into a fun day of Parks and Rec and laundry.

Yes, please let go of the guilt. It sounds like DD is really not feeling well so lying in bed watching a favorite show is just what she needs and she probably isn't up for much playing anyway. And I'm sure you could use a day of relaxation too. Enjoy it.

I work. We have a nanny. And, I could work from home.

OP here - thanks for this validation. I feel like a bad employee because I am watching Parks and Rec (I took a sick day, it’s legit but I still feel guilty) and I feel mom guilt that we have colored, played LOLs and had breakfast but now I am letting her watch Sofia the First on her bed. I guess I just need to get over the mom / working mom guilt and settle into a fun day of Parks and Rec and laundry.

Scrub the grout of your showers and bath tubs.

Anonymous wrote:Kid sleeps on the couch or in bed. If I'm the couch then I'm reading on the other end or making food (soup, other meal prep) also catching up on laundry and organizing.

This is almost exactly what I did when my kid was sick last week, although I made a pot of beans rather than soup. It was a pretty relaxing day to be honest.

I check on my kid periodically while I catch up on housework and other "to do" stuff that gets put off.

Your kid probably just wants to rest and/or watch TV so no sense in hovering...

My house usually needs straightening and i need to order groceries etc etc....

My kids have never been REALLY REALLY sick. Usually they’re fine on the couch or in bed with occasional check ins, so I just putter around the house either doing what needs to be done — catch up on laundry, clean, etc — or read books or magazines or watch TV.

Kid sleeps on the couch or in bed. If I'm the couch then I'm reading on the other end or making food (soup, other meal prep) also catching up on laundry and organizing.

Binge TV shows. That's what I do.

DD is in kindergarten and pretty sick - high fever, generally sleepy. I was off yesterday and can’t remote work so took the day off today to take care of her. Of course I am checking on her, playing with her a little, and making sure her needs are met (food, medicine, tissues, comfort) but I don’t want to be too stimulating since I want her to rest and she feels yucky.

So I am watching tv and doing small projects. I am not working (since I can’t work remote and am taking the day, don’t want to do any work, honestly). So I am taking some me time. How bad is that? When my little one is sick, it is all hands on deck since she is 18 months old. But a sick elementary school kid fees like I need to be less on.

What do others do when older kids are sick?