It is that time of year again, cold and flu season.  Everyone with kids knows that the colds will be passed around the house several times before the cold and flu season is over. Parents, unfortunately, aren’t immune.  When the kids get sick they get pampered, they get to stay home from school, they get taken care of.  When parents get sick things aren’t quite so “nice”.  Parents still have to take care of the kids, the house, make the meals and keep things in order.  Life doesn’t stop just because you feel achy, stuffy andyou would rather stay in bed all day.

Feeling under the weather certainly doesn’t make all the normal parenting tasks any easier.  When your kids are older they will likely understand that you feel bad and won’t mind taking care of themselves a little bit.  However, younger kids, particularly babies and toddlers still require the same amount of attention and don’t understand why they can’t go to the park or swim lessons, etc.  So, what can you do to make sure life still roles on and you feel better soon?

• Take care of yourself.  First and foremost taking care of yourself will mean you feel better sooner.  Don’t over do it, get lots of rest and pamper yourself a little if you can.
• Get your spouse and older kids (if you have them) involved.  Give others in the family a few extra chores to do until you feel better.
• Come up with a few fun activities for your toddler that they can do without a lot of work from you.  Set up a spot for them to read or color or play with blocks.
• Don’t feel bad if all you want to do is lay on the couch and watch movies with your kids.  They’ll probably enjoy it.  Make them popcorn or another special treat so they feel like it is a fun, special day.
• Don’t feel bad if you have to skip things like swim classes, library reading hour, a promised trip to the park.  You can always make it up to them when you feel better.
• Your household chores will wait.  If you don’t feel up to it, don’t feel bad putting off the vacuuming or laundry or dusting until you are feeling better.

Feeling under the weather is no fun, especially when you can’t just lay in bed all day until you are feeling better.  Our families still need us, even if you we don’t really feel up to doing all the usually daily tasks of raising a family.  Don’t worry, you’ll feel better soon and your kids and spouse won’t mind if they don’t get as much out of you in the mean time.

What do you do when you are feeling under the weather?  How do you manage your household?