Parents don’t get to take sick days, but we all have those days when we don’t feel well. Cramps, sore muscles, headaches, fatigue… we are only human. There are moments when my sweet little toddler asks, “Mommy, pway me?” and my first instinct is to yell, “No!” and bury myself in my bed for the rest of the day. But I still want to be an awesome parent when I feel horrible.
Technology is always an option when we need a break. However, there are other television-free ways for kids to have fun and for mommy or daddy to rest. So the next time you’re feeling under the weather and still have to parent, here are some ideas for your kids to entertain themselves and make that time a little easier for you.
Put Mommy to “Sleep”
My kids LOVE this game. It has saved me several times when I haven’t been feeling well. The game is simple. I lay down on the couch, and my kids try to get me to fall asleep. They cover me with a blanket. They quietly sing me a song, read me a book, or tell me a story. They “win” the game if they can successfully get me to sleep. (Note: I don’t actually fall asleep, but this game can go on for as long as you need it to before you pretend to fall asleep.)
Fix Mommy
My kids enjoy pretending to be doctors, and I like pretending to be their patient. This is a pretty low-stakes game. I will pretend to have a broken arm or a tummy ache, and they will make me feel better. You sometimes have to get pretend shots in the arm or wear a bandage for this game. However, patients need to sit while they are being treated, so this game works well when I feel out of sorts.
Treasure Hunt
Hide something in your house. Then, snuggle in a chair with hot tea and a blanket while the kids try to find it. The first person to find the item gets a small prize or a piece of candy. You can then hide a different item. My kids will do this repeatedly, especially if the prizes are good.
Arts and Crafts
When I suggest that my kids go color, they often don’t want to or quickly become bored. However, they are more invested when they have a specific task. My kids once spent an hour creating a wellness plan for me that included no coffee and no chocolate (which I firmly ignored). They’ve also created get-well cards for me.
Put on a Show
My daughter loves putting on epic productions that last at least 45 minutes. They will sometimes go on for multiple hours unless you stop her. While these shows can pop up at inopportune times, they are a great activity to entertain kids when you want to sit and watch. You can also incorporate arts and crafts into this activity and have the kids create a program, props, or costume pieces for the show.
Read Books
Reading is always a great option! I’ll have the kids pick out their favorite books and bring them to me to read. If I have a horrible headache and can’t tolerate reading, then I will have my kids read to me. Even if your kid is too young to read, they can still describe the pictures to you. If your kids are older and can read independently, you can suggest a silent reading time for everyone. I try to make a point of reading my book in front of my kids. I think it is important for them to see me reading to know that reading is a life-long activity, not just something for kids in school.
Parenting when you feel horrible is a struggle, but these are some ways to make it manageable for you and still fun for your kids!
