Flu season is among us, mamas you know exactly what I mean. This year has been a beast with the germs. They do not play around. And, well, the way it works is that when one child brings home a bug, they allllll get it (I mean, we alllllll get it) and it’s just hard. If you’re in this boat while you’re reading this, I’m giving you a virtual hug and pat on the back. You’re doing amazing.
Aside from being in the midst of a pandemic, the seasonal cold and flu is no joke. We really don’t like being sick (who does?), so aside from lots of preventative measures to keep germs away, I just like to be prepared for when we do catch a household bug. Here are a few of my simple hacks! I hope they help.
*I’m not a doctor, this is not medical advice. Just simple tips if you have seen your doctor and are managing cold/flu symptoms at home with kids.
Simple Hacks for A Sick Household
Keep It Clean
Anytime anyone is sick, I want to clean everything. So tip number one, before anything else, is that I like to eliminate the need to clean any unnecessary rooms. For sure we’re going to need to use the kitchen and living room and/or bedroom. When kids are sick, sometimes I’ll make exceptions and bring a basket of toys into a living room or their bedroom (if they’re toy age). I close the doors to any additional bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. in the hopes that we can contain the germs to as few spaces as possible.
After that, I have hand sanitizer everywhere that we are. I think this is really helpful just to remind you and your children to wash their hands. Another thing I like to keep in each room we’re spending a lot of time in is to keep a pack of Boogie Wipes and antibacterial wipes out. This way, no one is wiping their nose on the pillows. Yeah, that happens.
Aside from that, resting and recovering is important. I try to leave a deep cleaning session for when we’re all feeling back to ourselves and really get in there with the antibacterial, child-safe cleaners.
Keep The Chaos Minimal
Restful activities are key. Sometimes little ones don’t want to slow down. They just can’t! Haha. But having a few sit down or lay down activities that can keep them entertained on hand is super helpful (bonus – these are also great quiet time activities if you have a toddler transitioning from naps).
Judge all you want, but we love renting movie series on Amazon Prime that the whole family can watch. Harry Potter has been a hit around here lately. Jurassic Park is a great option for older families, Disney Plus has allllll the “old-school” princess movies for little ones, the list goes on. Having a series to watch together is so nice and relaxing.
We also love mess-free drawing pads, board books, kindles, comic books, etc. Anything to keep them still for 5 minutes is a win, lol.
Natural Go-To’s
Medicine always makes me weary, especially when giving it to my littles. I tend to go for medicines that are all-natural. Vitamin C and Elderberry Gummies are a first line of defense. I give these to my kiddos on the regular to try and keep their immune systems up and fighting. Zarbees also has a good cough syrup, but make sure to check with your pediatrician before giving it to your child. Another game changer is having a vapor bath ready for a nice bath for the kiddos. I try to keep these on hand in case of emergencies and so I can avoid going to the grocery store.
For adults, hanging a dried bundle of eucalyptus leaves in your shower creates the most AMAZING, sinus-clearing steam shower. Highly recommend it if your local grocer carries dried bundles.
Keep It Simple
I hate having to leave if we have sickness in our household. So you bet that I’m utilizing Doordash and Instacart. Nothing beats yummy chicken noodle soup for a tired mama and her sick babies. Also, investing in a decent humidifier is a huge game changer. Keeping the coughing at bay and the itchy throats moistened is so helpful. Bonus tip- Laneige does wonders for chapped lips.
All of these things are going to help you in the long run too, mama. Don’t overexert yourself. Save up that energy to take care of your family and also take the time to slow down. I hope you have the strength to keep yourself and those littles healthy and sane. I promise, you probably need a Stanley Cup to save your sanity. It makes for less trips to the fridge.