Staying home from school because of a bug is both a drag and half-blessing for most kids.  Nothing’s fun about having a fever, a hacking cough, nausea, aching joints or unrelenting congestion.  But a one or two day break from school can be pretty awesome (except when you’re missing a cool field trip or class party); staying in your PJ’s all day, the comfort of soup and OJ, logging in some extra TV time…not half bad.

For parents, however, having a sick child can be a major stressor.  Beyond the anxiety caused by rollercoaster fevers, there’s the question of who will watch your child if you work outside the home.  If you work or stay at home, how do you get important tasks done amid the endless requests and desire for attention most kids easily express, especially when they’re uncomfortable or restless?  And how do you keep their brains from turning to mush while they miss days or even weeks of school.

Having just emerged from one of those marathon sick sessions with my own children, certain convictions have been reinforced, and some new solutions have been discovered.

1.    It’s easier with a village.  I so believe in the importance of community.  Childrearing is something we were never meant to do all alone, or even just with our partner.  Whether or not you’re fortunate to have loving relatives living nearby, invest in building local relationships with others whose families you care about and who care about your family too.  People with whom you share this bond will be able to help you with errands, a meal, and may be able to help care for your child when she is in a post-contagious period and you need a hand.  Also, build a web of reliable babysitters who, over time, develop quality relationships with you and your kids.  If they’re teens, they won’t miss school to care for your child during the day, but they might be available late afternoons or evenings to give you a much-needed break.  (Of course, leave them explicit instructions where warranted.)  Again, it’s only fair to have them over once you know your child is past the contagious period.

2.    Stock up on the meds.  Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night to two discoveries: 1) Your child has been struck by a sudden fever and, 2) You’re out of fever-reducing meds?  Be a good scout and be prepared by having several bottles in the medicine cabinet.  Be sure to periodically check expiration dates on all meds to improve the likelihood of their effectiveness and safety.  Also, check to make sure you have a working thermometer.  If you haven’t tried one, a warm water bottle can be very comforting to aching tummies.

3.    Have on hand supplies for solo activities.  Allowing your kid to enjoy a SpongeBob marathon or a movie fest for a day or two isn’t the end of the world.  But TV and electronics get old fast, for you if not for them.  Familiarize yourself with activities your child can enjoy alone if you’re going to be busy while they’re stuck in bed or on the couch.  Of course, these activities can be done with a commiserating, sick sibling as well.

- Paper, coloring books, crayons, pencils, markers: Drawing or illustrating original stories remains fun for most elementary school-age kids.
-“New” books:  Hide a few “new” books from the thrift store or library sale in your closet, and pull them out for special days like these.  It’ll feel like a gift to a child who likes to read.
-  Games from the “olden days”: Ah…remember the time when “hand-held device” meant a purse or a wallet?  Though most kids love their portable digital games, when introduced to some of the classics, they’re usually open to giving them a try.  Buy some jacks, and let them practice.  Reward them with a game with you when you have the time.  A deck of cards for a game of Concentration or Solitaire is good to have around.  Appropriately challenging puzzles, of both the board and word varieties, are another good option.

4.   School work.  Arrange to have school assignments picked up so that your child doesn’t fall too far behind.  Also, if he’s up to it, this is a great time to have him make those flash cards of sight words or math tables that you’ve never quite gotten around to creating.

When in a prolonged sick period, know that this too shall pass.  Being kind to yourself and your patient, willing to receive help, and well-supplied will make it a less painful experience for all.