When your child comes down with an illness, it can be quite a difficult time for both you and the child. Whether it be a cold, an upset tummy or teething symptoms, your kids health is really important.
Here are 10 ways you can help your child relax and rest, allowing their body to work hard and heal itself.
1. Make a Get Well gift basket for them – Fill a small basket with things that your child enjoys such as colouring or activity books, crayons, watercolour paints, colouring books and books for them to read.
2. Reading Books – Make your child comfortable in their bed, on the couch or in a cubby house made under the dining room table and read them their favourite books. You could also listen to an audio cd of their favourite books. Reading not only helps them to rest and relax, but it also good for building up their vocabulary.
3. Board or Card Games – Our boys love to play board and card games. Let them choose their favourite games to play with you. Our boys love mousetrap, scrabble, fish and UNO.
4. Colouring In / Puzzle Books – Younger children love to colour in. This is quite relaxing for them, laying on the floor with a pillow, colouring in a picture of their favourite cartoon character. You can find many free printables on the internet which you can print off as well as purchasing colouring books from popular discount stores.
5. Puppet Show – You and your child’s siblings could put on a puppet show for your unwell child unless they want to join in too. Sit on the floor at the end of the bed, using the top of the mattress as the stage floor.
6. Have a movie day – Our boys love having movie nights, so much that they are now starting to have movie days on wet, miserable days when they can’t go outside.
7. Ice Blocks – It is important for sick children to keep their fluids up. Ice blocks are great for this and fun for the children. I find silicon moulds are great for making your own. Make your own ice blocks by freezing made up cordial, made up jelly, fruit juice or even lemonade for a treat. You can also freeze fruits like oranges and grapes for a great snack!
8. Have a bath – Baths are relaxing and children love to play in the bath. A cool bath will also help those with fevers. If your child has a blocked nose, add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil to a warm bath. This will help clear their nose.
9. Care for a friend – Most children have a stuffed animal that they love. Pretend that their stuffed animal is sick too and needs some help. Let your child pretend they are a doctor and it is their job to help their friend get better. You can get child’s doctors kits from most department stores or use bandages and bandaids for your own first aid kit.
10. Memory Lane – This is a great time to bring out your photo albums and show your child what they looked like and the things they did when they were younger. Talk about past birthdays or fun events that have happened.
For more information, go to Nurofen For Children and download a free copy of their Unravelling the Magic of Discovery Book.
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