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The very first tip I would like to give is think of how you feel when you are sick! You hear parents complain all the time about how they had to stay up all night with jack/jill and didn't get any sleep and how they wish this stuff would pass. The problem with this is that the child usually hears this and thinks they are bad. That is the worst thing you want your sick child to feel.

Second: REST! Pamper your child a little. Let him/her eat in front of the t.v. on the couch. Don't make them come to the dinner table. Their body is busy fighting the virus, bug, whatever is going on with them, and tends to drain their energy. Plus it gives them the feeling of being special cause brother(s)/sister(s) still have to eat at the table!(unless they're sick to of course...)

Third: Most of the time when we are sick we just don't want to eat, big deal. Let them skip a meal it isn't gonna hurt them. Try and give them special treats like jello, Popsicles. Put some warm NOT HOT chicken and stars soup in a cup and give them a straw to eat it with. They will probably eat it just because it seems like fun and you accomplished getting a little something in their tummy. *When it comes to Popsicles and jello avoid red and purple, the reason being in a case where they may be sicker than you realize you can not distinguish these colors from blood in their vomit. yellow and green should also be avoided in Popsicles. Orange is good.*

Fourth: Bathing. Well, when they trow up on themselves it is a good idea to put them in the tub give them a good rinse, don't make them go through the whole shampooing and normal bathing routine, unless they want to, let them play and get the stuff off and get out. Most likely you'll be right back in there in ten minutes anyways. You don't want to be doing this anymore than they want it done. When they are better the next day and you have to wash the sheets for the tenth time then give them the scrub down.

Fifth: Patience. They are going to be whiny and cranky and tired and quite frankly a little annoying at times. They don't always know what they're going through. They are probably just as frustrated as you are with what is happening. Make the other kids leave your sick child alone. Make a family tradition where the sick kid gets the remote. If it's a tradition no one can complain cause everyone gets sick once in awhile.. Dads no cheating!

And last but definitely not the least...

LOVE: Let them know everyone gets sick, it's not their fault, you love them even when their stinky and smelly and whiny and grumpy. Read them and extra book at night. Give them an extra hug, let them know you know how they feel.

Learn more about this author, K. Avery.
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