A to Z Blogging..."P is for..."

"...Prepare for Sick Days"
From "Lifehacks for Christain Moms"
by Shelly Burke, RN, Author, and Editor, Nebraska Family Times newspaper

It’s inevitable—someone in your home will become sick, probably at a most inopportune time. Being prepared 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 sure to have an appropriate measuring device on hand; a teaspoon or tablespoon from the silverware drawer is not accurate! Use the dropper or cup that came with the medication, or ask your pharmacy for an accurate measuring spoon. 

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.

More Hints for Preparing for Sick Days

Additional 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
  
• Tissues and toilet paper
• Petroleum jelly to soothe sore noses
• Diaper creme to soothe baby bottoms made sore from diarrhea
• 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!
• Keep several heat-and-eat meals in the freezer, and one-step preparation meals in the cupboard at all times. These will come in handy when you're too sick or too tired from taking care of other sick ones, to cook.

When the Sick Days Are Over...

• Disinfect all surfaces with wipes or Lysol spray. Follow the directions on the container. Remember phones (cell phones and the handset of land lines), remotes, doorknobs, the refrigerator and freezer handle, even steering wheel and door handles in vehicles.  
• Bring out new toothbrushes for anyone who was sick (if the sick one(s) required antibiotics,

  

  (I have NEVER been this happy when cleaning...
  maybe she's just relieved that everyone
  feels better!)

  consider throwing away the old toothbrush after 24-48 hours on antibiotics and another new one when the antibiotics are completed). 
• Wash all the bedding of the family members who have been sick. 
• Throw out any unused antibiotics. 
• Consider recording the illness and medications used, especially if a doctor visit was required, in a baby book or other health record. 

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

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This post is an excerpt 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. This post is part of “Lifehacks for Christian Moms”, coming soon!

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Nebraska Family Times, 

with the theme, “Words Matter.” 

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Prepare for Sick Days"

“Prepare for Sick Days”

by Shelly Burke

(This article is 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)

Running out of “sick day” supplies usually means a very inconvenient trip to the store with sick kids, or just as bad, a sick mom. Illnesses rarely come at convenient times, and your first prayer is probably for Jesus to come and heal whoever is sick!

Start your own preparation for sick days, today. Begin by making a comprehensive list of “sick day” supplies for both adults and children in your home.

Your list should include:

• Over-the-counter medications to treat fever, pain, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, cold symptoms, cough, nausea and vomiting, diaper rash, and so on, in age-appropriate form (drops, liquid, chewable, tablets) for ever member of your family.
• Keep in mind that some of these symptoms—cough, fever, etc.—may be the body’s way of getting rid of harmful substances, and you shouldn’t always treat them. Ask your doctor or a nurse for guidelines as when to treat them.
• Learn to read labels. May medications contain several ingredients; for example, cold medications may also contain acetaminophen (for fever or pain). If you give additional acetaminophen along with the cold medicine, you may be giving too much acetaminophen, which can be very dangerous. 

o       Medications to treat any chronic illness like asthma or diabetes. When a child      or adult with a chronic illness is sick, the dosage of medicine to treat the chronic illness might need to be changed. Check with your doctor if you have questions about doing so.

o       If your child gets frequent ear infections, ask the doctor to prescribe a bottle of pain killing ear drops which will help until you can get the child to the doctor. The drops will not treat the infection, only the pain, so it is still necessary to see the doctor.

o       Electrolyte replacement fluid/popsicles (like Pedialyte) for infants or toddlers who have diarrhea and/or are vomiting.

o       Soda and/or juice to sooth upset tummies and replace fluids lost by vomiting/diarrhea.

o       Miscellaneous supplies: Thermometer and probe covers, humidifier and distilled water, tissues.

o       Comfort foods like soup, mashed potatoes, rice, applesauce, jello, pudding, popsicles.

o       Activities to keep kids occupied when they’re on the road to wellness but bored, and to keep them busy if you are sick. When they’re on sale purchase coloring and activity books, DVDs, crayons, markers, craft projects, and so on. Keep these hidden until they’re needed!

o       If your mother’s instinct tells you your kids are on the verge of getting sick, or a virus is running      rampant at school, double check your supplies and stock up if necessary.

This list is just a basic suggested list. Personalize it to fit your family. Illnesses usually don’t occur at predictable times or when it’s convenient to go to the store for supplies. Stock up, using the tips in the post  Never Run Out and you’ll be ready for anything!

  

I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times.

Today’s post is titled “Peace” and is about David finding peace despite

the turmoil in his life.