There is no worse feeling as a parent than when our children aren’t feeling well. My kids are 9 and 12, and we’ve had many years of colds, fevers and ailments. Whether the kids were babies, toddlers, or pre-teens like they are now, we just want them to feel better when they are sick.
However, thanks to a few lessons learned, we have ways to manage a fever, aches, pains and other concerns and are much more prepared during cold and flu season.
I know the importance of being prepared because I’ve been in situations when the kids were sick when I wasn’t. I’ve been called during the school day to pick up a sick child, only to discover I have no supplies at home to help them. Or our kids have had fevers late at night when we all are blurry eyed and tired and we aren’t sure where anything is.
Now that cold and flu season has arrived, here are some ways I’ve learned to be prepared so I can avoid the stress that comes with our kids’ illnesses, and can focus on helping them feel better (extra snuggles are recommended). I’ve been through this many times over the years and while unfortunately the worry may not go away as the kids get older, these tips let me rest easier.
Keep your medicine cabinet stocked
It’s far too easy to not think about what’s in our medicine cabinet when everyone is healthy, but in the middle of the day when the school call comes, or at night when one of the kids wakes in a sweat, that’s not when we want to discover that you used up the last of the medicine the last time they were sick. Check your medicine cabinet often to ensure you are stocked up on Children’s Advil (it provides up to 8 hours of fever relief making it a favourite for this family), allergy medicine, band aids, tissues and a working thermometer. Check your cabinet supplies often!
Check the expiry dates
While giving your medicine cabinet a monthly, or quarterly audit, be sure to check the expiry dates as well. We’ve run into this a few times. I thought we had a nearly full-bottle of medicine ready to go in the cupboard, only to discover that it had expired (a sign of a healthy couple of years luckily, but it still needed to be replaced).
When checking expiry dates, it’s also a good time to check to ensure you have a working thermometer and that you know where it is (I’m notorious for misplacing ours!)
Be ready for travel
I often keep a plastic bag with a travel pharmacy ready to go for weekend trips or longer adventures (like for Christmas break). A couple of years ago when we went for a weekend getaway, our youngest struck a fever. While I could have left the hotel to get medicine if I had to, I fortunately was already prepared thanks to my travel pharmacy. Just make sure you replenish it and check the expiry dates just like your cabinet!
Know who to call
It can be stressful worrying about the kids when they aren’t feeling well. If you are a working parent, or travelling, or simply home alone with a sick child, having a list of numbers in an easy to access location will help reduce your stress and worries. I know I can call my parents if I’m in a pinch and need items, and we know our family doctor’s number off by heart.
Keep your list of emergency numbers, including family or friends who you may need to reach out to, somewhere convenient. The school’s phone number is included in my list so I can quickly call them when my child is going to be absent.
Communicate with the kids
Lastly, as my kids have gotten older, they’ve played a larger role in their health care. While we are still in charge of giving them their medicine and helping with pain relief, communicating with the kids and engaging them so they have a voice when it comes to their own discomfort and pain is important. They understand why we may need medicine, and how to tell us about their discomfort.
One thing that hasn’t changed since the kids have gotten older is our children’s need for us to help comfort them when they are ill. Parents, even older children need those extra snuggles, which we are happy to give.
Being prepared for when illness strikes doesn’t have to be overly stressful, but doing a few of these simple things will help save you the extra worry when it does happen. Then you can help your child get comfortable, binge watch movies and rest in hopes of a quick recovery for everyone.
This post is created in partnership with Children’s Advil but opinions and experiences are my own. Be sure this product is right for you. Read and follow the label.
This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute of any kind for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of a qualified professional as required. Speak to your healthcare professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, or beginning or discontinuing any course of treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.
And man, washing hands like ALL THE DANG TIME is annoying, but so important. We brought home a newborn right in the thick of cold season while my cousin’s baby was in the intensive care unit for a serious case of the winter ickies. I think our toddler’s hands will never be the same after all that washing!!! These tips are seriously great.
All the time! Thanks for reading 😉