*This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone about how to help kids on a sick day #FightFever #CollectiveBias
“My ear hurts, Mommy.”
My younger daughter the other evening was whining and complaining about her right ear.
Sadly we are no strangers to illness with both our girls here. But thankfully this time out it was a false alarm. How? Because my girl didn’t want to do something. So, she was using her ear as the reason to get out of it.
Still, I wasn’t taking any chances. So, I took her to urgent care after hours to make sure she was OK.
She was indeed not sick and most definitely came out with a clean bill of health. But still there have been times where we have been less the lucky with ear infections and more here during cold and flu season.
Trust me I am sure we will have more illnesses here to come even though we narrowly escaped it this time.
But for a sick day, when one or both girls have fallen ill at the same time (yes I have had two for the price of one for this), we rely on some sure fire ways to help relief our kids when they are under the weather.
We have had all sorts of ailments. These include strep throat, ear infections, and even pneumonia. All of these usually brings with it not only pain and discomfort, but fever usually, too.
I can’t tell you how many times, my kids have run fevers here. See I have truly lost count over the years. But I know when they have a fever. How? Because they are truly not themselves and also usually very tired, not playful and just lethargic.
One of our go to remedies to help get our kids back to their normal selves is Children’s Advil®. Why? Because it helps reduce their fevers and more. See I have found that Children’s Advil® not only brings fever down faster. But it keeps it down longer with less medicine than other children’s medicines, such as Children’s Tylenol. Therefore both my sick child—and this mom—can get relief.
Thankfully, Children’s Advil® is sold at Walgreens. This is our pharmacy of choice as I am a Rewards Balance member and also where I have all our family prescriptions sent. So when I am at Walgreens picking up a prescription, I am also adding Children’s Advil® to my cart, as well.
My girls happen to be a bit picky with the flavor of medicine (well at least my older daughter is). So, thankfully Children’s Advil® makes Chewables in grape, which they both agree is their favorite flavor and have no trouble chewing them. Like I said I give my girls the Chewables. But still Children’s Advil® is also available liquid medicines in great tasting Sugar-free Dye-free Berry, Bubble Gum, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit and Dye-Free White Grape flavors, as well as an easy to swallow tablet, too.
But once they have taken their Children’s Advil® and the fever has come down, my girls usually want to still be entertained on a sick day.
So, I have found some ways to do this on a sick day.
Read on now to find out how…
10 Easy Ways to Help My Kids Feel Better on a Sick Day
1. Watch favorite movies such as Frozen or pretty much any Disney animated movie. Because nothing quite better than chilling out in cozy pajamas, while binge watching all our best loved movies.
2. Also play board games such as Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Twister, and more. Plus, puzzles are another great way to pass time and we have a closet full here, which I stocked up at the Dollar Store for times like these.
3. Coloring is also a preferred activity here. So we get out our coloring books, crayons, markers and even stickers to create wonderful masterpieces during this time.
4. For coughing or stuffed up kids, here is a great way to help pass the time and make them feel better, too.
5. Make forts for all little one’s imaginations to brim over, as well as to relax in with lots of pillows and blankets.
6. Ice pops never get passed up in sickness or in health. But when they are indeed ill, ice pops are not only a fun treat, but a way to help them keep cool, too.
7. Temporary tattoos are another desired activity that my girls love and we can do this while also sitting and watching our favorite, classic movies if need be.
8. Make Princess Astronaut Tea for a pleasing drink to not only keep them hydrated.
Hydration is key when little ones are sick with a warm, cozy drink to sooth and relax them. But also to help make the medicine go down quicker. I have one of my kids, who actually loves taking medicine. This is the kid that will beg me for medicine even when she isn’t sick. Even still she only gets if she is sick and truly in need. But I also have my other child, who is so not a fan of any medicine. So, having a fun and tasty drink, as Mary Poppins once famously sang, “Helps make the medicine go down in a most delightful way.” See the recipe below…
How to Make Princess Astronaut Tea:
- Mix equal parts (roughly 20 ounces each) strawberry kid’s juice (pink for color) and powdered sweetened lemon ice tea(2.5 cups).
- For an extra kick, add one teaspoon each of cinnamon and honey.
- Mix well.
- Add 2-3 heaping teaspoons to hot water and enjoy.
It’s full of sugar, but your little astronaut princess will probably be over the moon just like mine usually are.
9. Take turns reading books from your child’s own home library to each other.
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Seana Turner says
One of my daughters was sick all the time, and frequently ran a high fever. Those things can be scary! We used a lot of Children’s Advil. Now we use a lot of adult Advil – LOL! You are a loving and sweet Mommy. Love your ideas. I used to have my kids sort through coupons to remove expired ones, sharpen pencils, and test markers to see which ones were dried out… I let them watch movies while doing it though – not a total ogre:)
Janine says
That is a great activity, too Seana and thank you so much for sharing with me, too today!! π
Ginny Marie says
Oh, it is no fun to have your little ones be in pain, especially from an earache or strep throat! I just want to provide them relief in any way I can! Great tips on keeping your kids occupied when they are sick so they can focused on something else than being sick. π
Janine says
Totally agree with you on helping them focus on something else when they aren’t feeling well. And thank you so much, Christa!! π
Kathy Radigan says
Great tips!!! Thanks so much!
Janine says
Aw, my pleasure and thank you, too Kathy!!! xoxo π
Bev says
I used to love taking grape-flavored Dimetapp when I was little — it tasted so good! Since Eve is still so young, I find holding her in my arms when she is sick helps her to feel better, though I imagine we’ll be outgrowing that soon.
Janine says
I remember holding both my girls close when they were so little and just brought me back!! π
karen canino says
I find lots of honey, cinnamon, and turmeric are a great way to fight off a cold too.
Totally agree with the movies, tattoos, and ice pops…Anything to cuddle and coddle them when they are sick.
Janine says
Aw, definitely cuddling is a must when they are sick here, too π
Marcia @Menopausal Mother says
These are all great ideas, Janine. I remember when my kids used to get sick when they were little—I was always looking for ways to take their mind off of it.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Marcia and I agree anything to try to take their minds off of it helps π
April G says
I just got our first set of Frozen tattoo stickers. Bee loves them, but Butterfly not so much… π We don’t have many lazy sick days here, they are still just as active as always.
Janine says
I need more Frozen tattoos as you suspect mine are still very obsessed here π
Cascia Talbert says
I love your princess astronaut tea! I might have to change the name for my three little boys, though. I hope your little one feels better soon. My four-year-old is a little under the weather right now.
Janine says
Just shorten and call it astronaut tea for them. I think that could work π
Allie says
Oh my goodness – Janine! That picture of your daughter broke my heart:(.
Janine says
Allie, still a photo that will never forget myself!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
Astronaut tea…how fun! 3 of us are under the weather here…I’d really like to lie around watching movies, but I just can’t let myself do it with everything that needs to be done for Thanksgiving.. Oh the joys of adulthood. I am planning on laying around and just relaxing with family once the holiday is here though! π Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving, Janine!
Janine says
Ao, with you on hoping to relax a bit after Thanksgiving is over and also wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving now, too Michelle!! π
Tamara says
We are definitely no stranger to sick days around here! Sadly.
Children’s Advil is my favorite! I even take it for myself. Should I probably not admit that??
Janine says
I already love you to pieces, but is it crazy that I love you just that much more for admitting this here now!! π
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I LOVE this!! We ONLY use Children’s Advil – it works the absolute BEST!
Princess Astronaut Tea – awesome!? I make a cold buster tea as well; honey, chamomile tea, peppermint rea, and lemon! The kids love it!
Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Janine says
Your tea sounds delicious, too and wishing you a wonderful day, as well now xoxo π
Leslie says
We’ve definitely had to break out the Advil lately. It seems like the only person who’s stayed healthy this month is the baby! We’ll have to give that Princess Tea recipe a try next time one of them is home sick. Thanks for the recipe!
Janine says
Aw, so happy to share the recipe, but got my fingers crossed that you will all stay well now still.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
Anything that keeps my kids healthy and willing to take medicine without a fight is a win in my book! I’ll have to try this recipe out! #client
Janine says
Totally agree, Kelly and so happy I could share here. Thanks π
Rea says
Chewables are good! Reiko finds it weird though and he prefers the syrup type. It’s funny because when he feels sick, he tells me to get his “vitamins”.
Janine says
Aw, that totally made me smile about the vitamins and I think each kid is different on the type and flavor of medicine they prefer. That is why I am so glad Advil gives options on this.
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I know you daughters have been so sick several times this year and last fall. I too feel her pain. My head is so stopped up this morning and I am so cold. Headed to the drug store to get something. Looking for the adult version of this.
Blessings,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, hope you feel better too now and sending some good thoughts your way now, Diane π
catherine gacad says
we are not in the advil stages yet, but definitely pedialyte! franco has the stomach flu for over a week and the poor thing was totally listless, just staring into space. we went to the ER once, then had to go back because he just wasn’t getting any better. all good now, though. i totally get it now that i’m a mom. so hard when the kiddos are sick. feel so helpless and want to do everything you can for them.
Janine says
I totally agree and seriously hate when my girls are sick. That helpless feeling still exists and definitely doesn’t go away as they get older at least not for me.
Diane Roark says
Hey lady,
Thank you so much for linking up to Wonderful Wednesday blog hop. I hope you have a good week.
Many blessings,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, my pleasure and thank you again for hosting once again!!! π
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
Usually lots of hugs and cuddles do the trick! I am a big fan of advil and I always make sure our house is stocked with medical supplies because you know the cooties will come eventually!
Janine says
Cuddles and hugs definitely help when the cooties strike. So couldn’t agree with you more, Nellie!!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Thanks for the tips! I Just had one home sick with me on Monday!
Janine says
You are so welcome and I am sure I will have one or more home with me sadly soon enough here, too now!