Getting the Most out of Sick Days

When our child gets sick, it’s a problem on many levels. First and foremost, we hate to see our son or daughter suffer. Beyond that, there are the practical issues of taking care of him. Can we take a day off work? Can a grandparent of babysitter fill in? Will his siblings catch the illness? Will I?

You have to answer all of those questions and the logistics can be a nightmare. But, there’s another to side to sick days. If you are able to spend the day home with your child, think of all the positives that can come out of that. Most sick kids love to curl up in mommy’s lap. As your child gets older, he will be willing to do that less often. There’s no greater feeling than him needing you and wanting to snuggle with you.

Once the medicine has kicked in and he’s feeling up to doing something, it’s a great opportunity to play games, watch a favorite video together, or just find a way to connect. Talking as you color side by side is a wonderful opportunity to find out what he’s thinking, how school is going, what is happening in his life. (And, coloring as an adult is awesome…try it sometime!)

Work will wait until you return but your ability to care for your child won’t come again so soon. When you do get back to work, you will appreciate it that much more.

Children Must Exercise to Stay Healthy: Start the Exercise Habit When Kids are Very Young

Last night I went to a killer pilates class, one of those things we all love to hate. The teacher announced she is starting a class for moms and babies up to 25 pounds. Their weight matters because the class involves the moms lifting the babies for an hour and at some point a heavy baby is tough to keep lifting.

It reminded me of the Gymboree classes I used to attend with my kids. They were wonderful for many reasons. First, we got to spend time together doing something really fun. Next, the kids got lots of exercise, jumping, running, bouncing, and constantly moving throughout the hour. They were also exposed to gym equipment they had never seen before, including uneven parallel bars; pullies that flew across the ceiling as they held on to the handle and I held on to their legs; and parachutes, balls and hoops in an array of sizes.

We all now know that to stay healthy we need to exercise every day. If your children are in the habit of getting some activity when they are very young, it will be a routine that will stay with them throughout their lives. Organized sports are great, but not all kids are athletic, and not all parents are bought in to the rigors of their child being on a team. Playing soccer in the backyard, swinging on the swingset, tossing a ball back and forth, are all physical activities that will keep you and your children fit and healthy. And, they are lots of fun!