How Do You Manage When You're Sick?

Updated on February 22, 2011
R.D. asks from Richmond, VA
14 answers

As moms, we have to power through those days when we're sick and feel like we're dying. At least that's the case in my house. I am pretty sure I have a sinus infection, and all I want to do is sleep... but the kids are home from school for Presidents Day, and I don't know how I'm going to make it! I'm actually glad the older kids are here to help with the baby, but I still don't have the energy to do anything. Ugh. I'm just pumping myself full of meds and powering through until I drop... and I will very literally, physically drop. Then what!? How do YOU manage?

BTW, if you haven't already, go to youtube and check out 'the man cold' video... Guys have it easy when they're sick! Just a little LOL for you ;)

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Featured Answers

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I don't even feel guilty telling you how I make it through sick days!
TV!! Video games!! Computer!!
I think my boys like it when I am sick because I am so lax about the regular rules.
Go lay down, let the kids veg today. Hope you feel better tomorrow!
L.

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More Answers

Y.C.

answers from New York on

I order pizza, I bring the kids to my room ( so I can rest knowing they are ok) I let the kids watch movies or play games online, I blind my self about the mess. I even give $10 to my older one so she take care of the baby for 2 hours so I can take a big nap. I know she would do it without the pay but it makes me feel better that we all are getting a benefit, lol.
Oh yeahh, and if my husband is in town I remind him that happy wife (or healty mom)= happy family.
Hope you feel better soon.
EDIT: Oh and I give them a pediasure, I get very upset if I think that they are not getting good food so it helps me feel more relax if I know they are at least having their vitamins.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Well...I am living this right now. Thanks GOD my husband has snapped out of HIS man cold. But me....still struggling. Sinus infection here, too & wicked cough.
I just keep on truckin'--no real rest for me. I REALLY look forward to that hour or two when everyone else is in bed to relax & have some (more) hot tea & honey.
Feel better, R.!

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L.M.

answers from Norfolk on

I "Mom Up." Like "Man Up" ... but effective.

I had pancreatitis with month-old twins and an autistic toddler. Nursed with a bucket nearby for... well, you know. Was finally hospitalized and had surgery. Called in reinforcements for help, but most of the time I just muscle through.

Meanwhile, my husband just had his tonsils removed and can't hold any of the babies for too long, for fear of "overdoing it."

I think Moms invented tough.

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B.B.

answers from Chicago on

Do you have another SAHM that can help today?

If not, I would make it a movie day! Lock the little ones in a room with you and get as much rest as you can. I know its not right to have the TV babysit, but when you are sick and no one else is around, sometimes it works.

I always tell myself that one day like this is better than pushing myself and being sick for a week.

Hope you feel better soon!!! :)

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L.N.

answers from New York on

My kids are off this whole week (winter break). Hubs and one of the kids just got over a cold. When I am sick and have the kids home all day, I drink a lot of tea and maybe theraflu (daytime so it doesn't make me drowsy). If not, I take motrin to help me deal with aches. Worse come to worse I put a movie on and lie down with kids. They don't let me sleep but at least I don't have to walk. And to quote my hubby: my wife has never been sick.
ya think? yes, we just don't get sick because we are super humans. right?

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

I manage much better now that I don't get sick! I have strengthened my immune system so much that I am allergy-free, never get bronchitis any more, and haven't had so much as a cold in years. I don't get the flu shot either. And my husband and son have not had a sniffle in all this time either. It's way better than trying to cope when you feel like garbage. And yes, that video is very funny!

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My four year old came to me the other morning telling me he had a bad dream. He dreamed that I was really sick but still had to do everything. Gee, I wonder where he got that idea? Hang in there R.. I feel for you and hope you feel better soon! Oh, and the man cold? That is my reality. My littlest and I both had the nasty cough cold for over a week, my husband had it for 3 days and wanted antibiotics crying that he can't get rid of this thing! Big baby. Forget telling him antibiotics aren't going to get rid of his cold. UGH!

1 mom found this helpful

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

Get your self on vitamins. Take 5,000 units of vitamin D, 3000 of vitamin C
800 of vitamin E and a very good full spectrum B. Buy all at the health food store. Normal vitamins just go through your system into the sewers. Yes, that is a fact the coated vitamins you buy so cheaply in the pharmacy or the big box stores are the most common item found in the waste water processing plants.
Once you are on vitamins you will never get sick.
I wash my hands a lot and I take vitamins that are organic and I get the flu about every 30 years since I grew up and left the house of my cigarette smoking parents.
I found a wonderful homeopath and he was able to take away the asthma I had suffered with for many many years. Underlying cause second hand cigarette smoke.
When my kids were young I did get sick and my husband stayed home one day to help me and then I was well enough to manage for the rest of the week after school until he got home. He took the youngest to day care and picked her up.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

It's a lot easier now that my son is older (12).
When he was little, I'd call in sick to work, take my son to daycare, then go back home and sleep until it was time to pick him up from daycare.
My husband has always been good about holding down the fort when I was sick, too.
Man cold. I've seen it. It's hilarious! And so true for so many men!
Keep your fluids up and take a steamy shower as often as you can. Get a neti pot and rinse your nose out with tepid saline as often as you need to.

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A.S.

answers from San Diego on

Lots of fluid, EmergenC packs are great for you to have on hand. Actually it's vitamin D that you need more of when you are sick. Sinus infection use the Neil Med sinus rinse, it's better than the netty pot because you don't have to turn your head into an uncomfortable position to get the saline rinse in the nose. Sleep when your kids do, have a quiet time so that they know it's your rest time too. Always take care of yourself first, because no one else will and you won't be able to recover as fast. I am sick right now too and the sinus rinse and vitamin D are helping me get through it. Hope you get better soon.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I tell myself just get the basics done and all will be well. Use the older kids to do what they can and sometimes that means staying busy on thier own.

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L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

R. - don't you know that Mom's aren't allowed to be sick? ;)
Sorry you feel bad - are they off for the snow today too or are you lucky enough to send them today?

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

When my kids were little I brought our laptop onto my king bed and put in a movie. I would lie down and sleep next to the kids watching the movie. I knew where they were and got some sleep at the same time. I was sooo desperate and it worked.

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