To me, one of the very worst parts of parenting was when my kid was sick. I hated to see her suffering and there’s often very little you can do other than try to minimize symptoms until they fight off the virus. Those first couple of days are rough, but what about the day or two when they aren’t quite well, but are feeling much better?
Do you rush them back to school and activities so you can get back to work or get them out of the house? A few of you don’t have a choice, but for those who can work from home or already stay at home, why rush your child back when he or she is probably still contagious? Instead, give the ailing child a little extra TLC and attention. Snuggle up and read a book or watch a movie (yup movies on sick days are not going to ruin them for life)? Sit by the fire and let them talk about anything and everything while they drink some warm tea. Lay down with them when they take a nap (because you’re probably sleep deprived too and have already been exposed to their germs).
While we are thinking about giving our kids more time and attention, why not think of times when they are healthy that you can spend some one on one time with them, listening, supporting, nurturing, teaching, coaching, encouraging, loving? Maybe everyone in your family needs to cut out one activity, so you all have more time together for family dinners and board game nights. The children in the Netherlands are supposedly the happiest kids in the world, and most attribute it to the fact that families eat breakfast and dinner together at the table, every day – regardless. It gives the kids plenty of time to get focused attention from their parents each day and parents an opportunity to catch up with their kids and talk about what they hope is truly important to their children – like being a faithful, productive Christian as an adult.
Make this year a retro year for your family. Bring back spending time together enjoying each other – not in the car running from activity to activity. You might be surprised how much happier and better your kids are.