Anonymous
01/09/2024 19:25
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
You got 2 days in bed, lady. Stop being so petty. Your husband has a fever. Leave the poor guy alone. I can’t believe how petty people are. Give the kids some screens and call it a day.
Anonymous
01/09/2024 11:34
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
]Anonymous wrote:Help me through this. We’re a family of 5 (8,7,2) and we’ve had what I suspect to be the flu.
As it’s been over the past week, it’s gone from person to person.
I got sick Tuesday night, and DH got sick Friday.
That means I got 2 days in bed (high fever, body aches, chills) and DH dealt with the other 3 kids. But now I’m on duty with the other kids while DH is in bed, although I’m still feeling really weak and tired. It has only been 3 days.
2 kids are better-ish, and one has a 103 fever and is in bed.
It’s hard not to feel bitter about having “only” two sick days. I know DH can’t control his sickness but it’s hard. He has a high fever and a cough but is in bed on his phone (whereas I slept for 2 solid days in bed).
I’m just wondering how couples do the sickness Olympics. How do you decide when one person sicknesses end, and the other begins? How do you decide who’s on duty?
Every single family in the world has been through the save and, somehow, we have all survived. You will also survive but it will be easier if you accept what it is instead of whining and complaining.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 12:20
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Disagree with everyone. If DH is well enough to be on phone he is well enough to give OP a break for a couple of hours so she can nap. He can lay in the sofa on his phone while the kids watch TV or play.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 09:44
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
DH stays in bed with sick kid. You set up in the living room with the other 2, watching movies & video games with easy to make foods.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 07:50
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Lots of screen time and delivery food. That’s the best you can do.
But if you had to to work and nanny was forced to come in and did this you’d loose your s$&t. The irony of no screen time/junk food. Keep that same energy and suck it up and interact and entertain your kids
What? 1) that is the nanny’s paid job 2) nanny isn’t incapacitated with illness.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 07:47
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember DH being terribly sick at the same time as me but I was a SAHM. I remember being on my own to care for my 3 day every day even when very sick. I have memories of vomiting in the bathroom to the backdrop of kids tv. It sucked. You have to lower your standards. Your goal is to keep your kids safe, fed and to change your 2 year olds diaper. Cereal for breakfast, canned soup or frozen food for lunch and pizza for dinner. Don’t worry about feeding them junk. Your older kids can mostly care for themselves. Screens are your friend. Since you all have the same virus, it’s safe to all snuggle up together.
Same. Everyone responds differently to sickness, you can’t fault your husband for needing a day in bed, if you are able bodied and feeling better. Be lucky you got the luxury of having two days to rest in bed while your husband stayed home. Lots of SAHPs or single parents don’t even get that.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 06:20
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
OP, people deal with their own illness in different ways. My body shuts down and like you, I would sleep. DH just feels awful but doesn’t sleep well when sick, and like your DH, would be on his phone or iPad racking up levels of Angry birds. He’s still sick though.
You already know this, but it isn’t a competition. Stop putting pressure on yourself to somehow get it together. You just have to make sure everyone is fed and watered, really. Kids usually love pyjama days so lay on the couch and watch movies. Free for all on board games and screen time. Order in food or get groceries delivered if simple fare is what you’re wanting.
I know you’re not feeling well, but being resentful you “only” got x time of recovery may be a sign that things are imbalanced to start with, and that may need examining in the future.
You already know this, but it isn’t a competition. Stop putting pressure on yourself to somehow get it together. You just have to make sure everyone is fed and watered, really. Kids usually love pyjama days so lay on the couch and watch movies. Free for all on board games and screen time. Order in food or get groceries delivered if simple fare is what you’re wanting.
I know you’re not feeling well, but being resentful you “only” got x time of recovery may be a sign that things are imbalanced to start with, and that may need examining in the future.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 21:25
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
We cover the basics like keep everyone alive, hydrated, fed. We all nap. No screen limits unused it’s keeping kids from sleeping. Husband has been a champ with managing dog walk detail.
In the past he was often away for work when a flu would hit. I’d power through but keep standards low.
We’re two weeks into the flu and still coughing. The house is slightly cleaner but we’ll prob go on this way a bit til fully recovered.
When illness is staggered we do try to give one another a pass on as much as possible. Rest is critical to healing.
I order pharmacy and groceries until well enough to go too. We aren’t hungry much lately though.
In the past he was often away for work when a flu would hit. I’d power through but keep standards low.
We’re two weeks into the flu and still coughing. The house is slightly cleaner but we’ll prob go on this way a bit til fully recovered.
When illness is staggered we do try to give one another a pass on as much as possible. Rest is critical to healing.
I order pharmacy and groceries until well enough to go too. We aren’t hungry much lately though.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 21:16
Subject: Re:Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Sounds like covid. Lower your standards, outsource what you can (meals, laundry), and keep everyone alive.
If the house isn't on fire and everyone's alive at the end of the day, you did it right.
Feel better, OP!
If the house isn't on fire and everyone's alive at the end of the day, you did it right.
Feel better, OP!
Anonymous
01/07/2024 18:47
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Anonymous wrote:Lots of screen time and delivery food. That’s the best you can do.
+1.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 12:08
Subject: Re:Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
I can’t believe you’re having a pissing contest with a spouse who has a fever because you’ve seen him in bed on his phone.
This isn’t a good look, OP. As others have suggested, order food and throw the kids in front of screens. Stop judging your spouse and counting beans. That alone will save you lots of energy.
This isn’t a good look, OP. As others have suggested, order food and throw the kids in front of screens. Stop judging your spouse and counting beans. That alone will save you lots of energy.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 12:04
Subject: Re:Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Sometimes this is just the way it shakes out. It's rough and you just do whatever you can go get through.
Your older kids are old enough that they can help out if they're feeling okay, and if they aren't, screen time is enough entertainment.
Parenting a 2 year old when sick can definitely be a challenge.
Good luck OP. You'll get through it.
Your older kids are old enough that they can help out if they're feeling okay, and if they aren't, screen time is enough entertainment.
Parenting a 2 year old when sick can definitely be a challenge.
Good luck OP. You'll get through it.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 02:05
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Come on, OP. You got to sleep while you had a fever. Let your husband do the same. After his fever breaks, you can play sick Olympics.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 00:24
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
When DH and I have both been sick, we take turns caring for the kids. If your DH is past the worst of it, maybe he can take a turn laying on the couch for a couple of hours while you take a nap.
Anonymous
01/07/2024 00:11
Subject: Parenting sick kids when both parents are sick
Anonymous wrote:Lots of screen time and delivery food. That’s the best you can do.
But if you had to to work and nanny was forced to come in and did this you’d loose your s$&t. The irony of no screen time/junk food. Keep that same energy and suck it up and interact and entertain your kids