A to Z Blogging--Prepare for Sick Days

(adapted from the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home”, by Shelly Burke. Click on the sidebar to order, or click on the tabs above for more information.)

 It’s inevitable—someone in your home will become sick, probably at a most inopportune time. Developing a

strategy for sick days—whether the sick person is a child, your spouse, or yourself—will make enduring them much easier.

Here is a list of “sick day supplies” to always have on hand.

Medications, in age-appropriate form, to treat:

Fever

Pain

Nausea

Diarrhea

Congestion

Cough

Be aware that some medications are combination medications—they contain more than one medication. Read the label carefully to avoid giving too much of any medication. For example, many cold medications also contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you give the cold medicine and acetaminophen, you might be giving too much acetaminophen.

Make it a habit to check the expiration date of your medications several times a year.

Other Hints for Preparing for Sick Days

Other items to have on hand:

• Electrolyte replacement fluid for infants (check with your doctor as to when you should use this)
• Juice/soda to sooth upset tummies and replace fluids lost through vomiting/diarrhea
• Thermometer and probe covers
• Humidifier and distilled water
• Your family’s preferred comfort foods; soup, crackers, popsicles, jello, applesauce, pudding, juice, etc.
• Activities to keep the kids occupied when they’re on the road to health but bored, or when you are sick and need to keep them occupied. When they’re on sale, purchase (and hide!) a supply of coloring books and new colors or markers, DVDs, simple craft projects, card games, art supplies, etc. Keep hidden until needed!

Other ways to be prepared:

• Ask your doctor or nurse for guidelines as to when certain medications should be given; for example, how high should your child’s fever be before you give medication? When should you call the doctor about a fever/vomiting/diarrhea, etc?
• If anyone in your family has a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes, his or her medication needs may change with illness. Talk with your doctor about this before illness strikes, and call while the person is sick if you have any questions.
• Never let your supply of diapers, wipes, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc. run critically low; you don’t want to have to shop for these items with a sick child or when you yourself are sick!

What sick day supplies do you have on hand at all times?

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

(She is prepared for the future.)

Proverbs 31:25

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Nebraska Family Times. Check it out!