Yesterday I didn’t get the opportunity to write a new blog post. My baby normally goes to daycare during the day because it is hard for me to care for him by myself due to my current medical problems. Tuesday late afternoon I got the dreaded call from the daycare that my baby boy was running a fever and that he needed to be picked up as soon as possible. For the past two nights, he has felt the need to wake up and play around 10:30 pm. Under normal circumstances he usually sleeps through the night, unless he is sick. So mama stayed up to care for him. We spent time snuggling together and watching TV so that he could rest. When he woke up yesterday morning, he was still running a fever so he stayed at home with me.
I should have let him sleep in this morning but I choose to go into his bedroom and check on him. He was a bit warm but he wasn’t burning up so I didn’t want him to get up unless he was ready. I thought I could get away with sneaking out of his room in hopes that he would go back to sleep. Yeah right, he had other plans. He woke up and snuggled with his daddy before he had to leave for work. After daddy left, we spent about an hour in bed snuggling and resting. However, he thought he needed to be a wiggle worm and didn’t want to sit still. So I had to find some quiet activities for us to do so that he wouldn’t be too rowdy.
What Are Some Ways to Keep Your Toddler or Young Child Entertained When They are Sick?
- Movies – This morning we put on a movie and he got through most of the movie. A movie is a great way to keep a sick toddler entertained while allowing them to rest. If your child is anything like mine, your lucky if you can get half way through the movie before he gets too antsy and wants down to play. I stopped the movie and let him finish it after he woke up from his nap. An older child will probably be able to watch an entire movie before they get bored or fall asleep.
- Coloring – Coloring is not only fun and relaxing but it is a great way to keep your toddler or young child occupied when they are stuck at home sick. We spent some time this afternoon coloring together. I grabbed the lap desk, a few coloring books, and the crayons and took them to the bedroom so that he could color while he rested. I let him pick out a page to color on and set his paper on the lap desk.
- Reading Books – Reading books is another great way to keep your toddler or young child occupied while laying in bed together. Not only can you teach your child new words but you can make the story interactive while reading the story together. You can ask your child questions about the story or have them point out things in the illustrations, depending on how old your child is.
- Play Dough – If you have play dough around the house, you can sit your child in the high chair or at the table and let them play with play dough. This is another great quiet activity that can keep your toddler or young child entertained without worrying about them playing to hard. If you don’t have any play dough handy, you can make your own. For a recipe on how to make your own play dough, click here.
- Online Games or Apps Made for Toddlers or Young Children – Most parents have access to technology whether it be a computer or cell phone. There are plenty of games or cell phone applications that your toddler or young child can play. Make sure that you supervise your child closely if you allow them to play games on the computer or your cell phone.
I hope that these 5 tips will help you keep your toddler or young child entertained while they are at home sick. As a mom, I know how difficult it is to keep a toddler or young child still for more than a few minutes, especially when they are sick. Most kids are resilient and handle sickness much better than we do as adults, so if your child is up for playing for a little bit it probably won’t hurt them unless they are getting too rowdy.
Try to Keep Your Child Well Hydrated While They are Sick
It is important to keep your child well hydrated when they are sick, so fill up your child’s sippy cup water, pedialyte, or juice. Try to steer clear of milk when they are sick with a cold, this causes an increase in mucous making it more difficult for them.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t replace appropriate medical care.
To get weekly updates to Uplifting Families, please subscribe to my newsletter or join in the conversation with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and G+.
Parents what type of quiet activities does your child enjoy while sick?
