How to Survive a Sick Day . . . with Kids

I opened one eye. What is that blaring noise?! Turn it off!!

Oh....it's my alarm.

Head splitting, sinuses aching, ears plugged, and nose completely stuffed.

This was how my Monday morning started this week.

Alas, stay- and work- at-home mommies don't truly get sick days! :)

Thankfully, over-the-counter cold medicine, tons of hot tea, and God helped me through a tough couple days of a terrible head cold. Here were a few things that made my life a couple doses easier.

1. Quiet Toddler Busy-Activities.

These are craft sticks with Velcro on both ends. Bundle loves to name them, count them, and hook them together to make fun shapes. The best part is that I could lay on the couch with my EmergenC and Kleenex and watch from a germ-safe distance. :)

Here's a shoebox full of uncooked rice and a couple of kitchen toys. Endless play time options! I usually keep a plastic mat underneath so when Bundle is done playing, all I have to do is lift the mat and pour the spilled rice back into the box.

This one is a baking tray being used as a magnetic board. You can find plastic magnetic letters and pom-poms at most dollar stores, craft stores, or Walmarts.

A few weeks ago, Bundle and I were learning about "big" and "little". I made this little coffee container of big and little objects she could sort and organize. Perfect for little hands and minds, and extremely quiet.

I added plastic food, faux flowers, paper clips, hair bows, hair ties, combs, and craft pom-poms. Just find a bunch of random stuff in your house that could be categorized as "big" and "little!"

These are just plain ol' star stickers on an empty trail mix jar. My lessons for school that day included making a musical instrument, but I was too exhausted for any of that. Bundle did the stickers mostly by herself and had fun putting things inside the jar. Later this week we filled it with rice and turned it into a shaker. Lesson plan, done!

2. Never Underestimate Videos. Also, Don't Be Afraid of Letting Your Kids Watch Them.

Seriously, there is nothing wrong with allowing yourself to sink into the couch to sip some honey-lemon tea and let the cold meds filter through your system while the little ones are educated by Elmo or Rapunzel for a while.

3. Keep All the Baby Stuff in One Central Location.

At the beginning of the morning I moved the baby bouncer, blankets, most popular toys, and a couple of diapers, wipes, and the changing mat to one place where we play a lot. I even made sure all the cups and bottles (including my hot tea and EmergenC!) were nearby so I wouldn't have to be climbing stairs and dragging my exhausted legs across the house to find something of necessity.

4. Just Buy the Extra Kleenex!

Truly, your nose is worth it.

And don't forget to put a box in each room!

5. Last of All . . . Honey and Cinnamon. 

Such a fantastic home remedy!! I mix 1 part honey to 1 part cinnamon and simply eat it. It's pretty sweet, but if you chase it with warm lemon water or tea, it's not bad at all. It soothes sore throats and always helps ease my head colds.

*Disclaimer: This is not a proven "cure-all" or meant to be taken as medical advice. It simply works for me most times when I have a bad cold. If you're really sick, please seek the advice of a health professional.*

Here's to a healthier, happier rest of winter!

<3