What do you do with your kiddos on days you're very ill?

[Tweet]

Gah. I feel like a whiny person here, but I had the comings on of a fibro flareup, it didn't come, but now is pretty much full force. It's seriously hard to even just sit here.

Thankfully, they haven't been too frequent but now with cold season and crappy weather, they likely will. DH is still working the night shift so he's not here to help. I can do the basics like feed,read,cuddle, oversee homework,change dipes, and get to bed.Anything else is just..too fricking much. Only one can read alone, and she's still a weak reader. Usually I just turn on Sprout to fill the gaps in. But, if this is going to be frequent, could there be other things I'm missing?

eta i may just need to hire a mother's helper..I'm not opposed to it

[VegasLactivist]

A mother's helper would be really nice if that is something you can put in your budget. Take care of yourself mama. ((((HUG)))))

[rock__]

Depending on your kids ages, crayons and simple craft supplies can be very helpful.

[Tweet]

I've got lots of craft supplies..it's just usually a big hands on thing because DS gets quite carried away!

Hmm..maybe some more Color Wonder stuff for him , though.

[VegasLactivist]

I LOVE color wonder! It is SO awesome! He could draw on the wall and leave no evidence! It's awesome!

[rock__]

Yes, Color Wonder is the bomb. :)

[Joyto5]

When I'm ill, The TV is my baby sitter. They don't get to watch much of it at all so when they do it's a real treat and I don't mind... too much.

I also second the Color Wonder! That stuff is AWESOME!

[Tweet]

It's really starting to upset me. I hate the fact that I can't make my body GO. I feel like a failure.

[rock__]

Well, feeling like a failure certainly won't help you to feel any better.

Hang in there, Mama. *hug* Just keep doing the best you can, and give yourself a break, even mother's deserve it.

[MadisonsMommy]

A mothers helper would be great! Maddie is 16 months and she can tell when I'm not feeling good and we usually watch movies together and nap together.

[cc1003]

I'm about to pm you.

[Nipple_nectar]

Aquadoodle is wonderful:)

[KaraJ]

My friends and I watch each others kids when stuff like that comes up, or I make my DH stay home... Or I would, if I needed too. Hasn't happened yet, where I HAD to have him stay home.

[MealsOnFeet]

This pregnancy has taken a lot out of me along with coming off of Effexor, moving and doing daycare. Thankfully, my 2 girls are fairly self-sufficient. Sure, I still do the meals and snack prep but they are good at playing with each other and not fighting constantly (most of the time.) Housework has taken a HUGE back burner. We aren't living in filth but dirty dishes may sit on the counter longer than I'd like, clean clothes don't make their way to dressers before being worn again, and my floors. ack. That's my one big embarrassment as we have white ceramic tile and I can not keep up with the sweeping.

So, basically, my big long blab, I let go of the house and just hope this illness, low energy, body pain, etc is just a phase and when I'm feeling better, I slowly chip away at it. I'd rather make sure my kids are my focus than the house if I've only got so much to give.

[Tweet]

Yeah, the house sometimes has to wait. Though DH cleans pretty well before work when I'm like this. I don't worry too much about the house.

What sucks is that I'm starting to get depressed badly again, which then just contributes to the pain and fatigue and not wanting friends over .Ack,

[rock__]

I understand totally where you are coming from. I got really sick with this pregnancy,(feeling better physically now) and things sort of snowballed for me. I'm still working on pulling myself out of it.

[MoonBound]

Play sitting games, make up stories, I will have them help make something cookie bars or muffins or soup - they are occupied, learning, helping, the oven/stove helps warm up the house and the baked good or soup is tastey. A small sense of accomplishment to help me feel better. I know this isn't always posible but it does help me. If I am really sick or my fibro is very bad I take them to my mom and sleep there or ask her to come up for a few days. She is disabled but between the two of us they have a good day. Actually she is a great example - she just sets up a little table on plastic in her living room and gives them play dough and/or paint. They do play dough with her in her chair and they just bring her some.

[QuiltyConscience]

I'm sorry Tweet. If you can , go ahead and hire a mother's helper, it will be a great deal of worry off your shoulders. Don't feel guilty, it's not your fault.

[Tweet]

Yeah, it's getting hard w/o having family in the same state. I have lots of friends that love to have dd1 or dd2 for playdates, but no one that offers for ds..and let's face it, it's no help unless ds goes, too..he's more than a handful. Cute, sweet, and cuddly, but a handful.

[rock__]

Don't be afraid to ask if he can go too sometimes. If these people are your friends, then they will want to help you when they can.

[Tweet]

While I'm here, would a big chef salad be an acceptable dinner? I've got turkey,hard boiled egg, cheese, 3 kinds of bell peppers, spinach, regular lettuce, cucumbers, Roma tomatoes and carrot slivers.

[Tweet]

And yummy dinner rolls.

[rock__]

Sounds like a well rounded meal to me. It has everything that qualifies in my opinion.

[Rieckah]

TV, peanut butter with spoons and threats of my head exploding if they don't just let me get a little rest.

[cc1003]

While I'm here, would a big chef salad be an acceptable dinner? I've got turkey,hard boiled egg, cheese, 3 kinds of bell peppers, spinach, regular lettuce, cucumbers, Roma tomatoes and carrot slivers.

Hey, that's what we had!

So yes.

[Tweet]

They loved it! I let them have some Kashi cereal, too. Oh well.

[Meredith]

I have been fortunate in that a) I don't get knock-down, drag-out sick very often, and b), mine and DH's parents live in town and are willing to help out when needed. I'm sorry you're not feeling well, Tweet. You, too, CM. I'm sorry if there's anyone else I missed. I only read the first and last post of this thread.