And what if you are sick?

[mlle.coccinelle]

I have had that nasty cold that wont go away for the past 3 weeks now. I'm not coughing, not really sneezing just a stuffy/runny nose and a huge headache!

How do you deal with the children when you are sick? After 3 weeks all I want to do is stay in my pjs all day, curl up in bed and sleep! I have a pretty busy week this week and I cant really afford time off ( as I took some 2 weeks ago when my cold was at its worse!)

We are doing lots of free play, games that I can play sitting on the floor because I just don't have the energy to run around all day... but quite honestly, I need a hug :(

[mlle.coccinelle]

I was told that I would probably be more sick the first year...... but oh dear i was not expecting that!

[apples and bananas]

I know how you feel. I have the same cold. It just won't go away. Some days are ok and I think I'm almost over it and the next a huge sinus headache.

I am so thankful that the weather has been nice, that's taken up most of our morning. And I've been working on the Christmas crafts a bit at a time while the rest free play.

i'm also relying on my daughter to do some reading with the kids after school. And for the rest of the day, we do a lot of free play on the floor. So I can teach sharing, gentle touches and work on colours and counting. I think kids learn best when they're playing with an adult anyways.

[mlle.coccinelle]

yeah! that's exactly the same thing! On Sunday, I had TONS of energy, yesterday was ok... but my son had an horrible night so today is AWFUL! even tylenol sinus wont do it! I'm trying the '' fake it until you make it '' thing... but so far, the kids are noticing that i'm not feeling well ! :/ oupsy!

[treeholm]

I'm in the same boat. I'm just counting the hours between doses of tylenol cold and sinus. The older kids are thrilled that they get to watch tv for quiet time, since I don't normally allow that. They usually do crafts while the little ones sleep but today I just don't care. That's okay. I will care again when I feel human.

[mimi]

Same cold here too. I put the kids down for their nap and I laid on the couch and dozed for an hour. No guilt here, we are not super women and if we need down time, we need to take it when we can.:yes: hope everyone feels better soon :flower:

[Mamma_Mia]

We didn't go to any playgroups all week, did some christmas crafts and watched christmas movies (one a day) Polar express, mickey's Christmas and the traditionals....grin ch (not jim carey one), frosty, roudolph and santa coming to town circa 1960's. I love those! and gave me a mental break for 25-30min.

When they napped I did too. Tons of VICKS on your chest and....sounds weird but it does work....bottom of your feet with socks on. I lost my voice on Tuesday and used a bell....when things were getting our of control I'd ring the bell and have them come close to hear me. Otherwise...figure it out yourselves.

I'm MUCH better today but some type of "relaxing" is what your body needs.
Feel Better!

[Inspired by Reggio]

IMO this is good advice for any day, but specially a day when you are under the weather, there is nothing wrong with having a 'quiet day' and letting the focus be learning through free play ;)

If you feel the 'need' to have them do all the bells and whistles than make them be open ended things ... toss out a big piece of paper and some drawing mediums and let them work together to create a collage instead of having to do a 'craft' where you are having to support them with messy stuff and so forth.

When I am under the weather I often do water play ... cause while it is messy they will play there for a could hour if not more so it is an investment in having some time to just sit back and chill while they are engaged and than when they are done ~ I pick up the sheets and towels I had placed down to 'mop up the wet' and toss them in the laundry and well my floor is now 'clean' and the sheets and towels are getting cleaned too ;)

[Momof4]

This happens to me every January. Parents still drop their children off and go to work even when I look and sound like I'm dying so what are you going to do? Children need to play so let them play, don't get germs on all the food, wash your hands a lot, sit still and supervise and try to rest at naptime.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Momof4]

Oops, I forgot, here's a big (((HUG)))!!! :glomp:

[mlle.coccinelle]

Reggio, could you explane water play? you let them play with water? how?

[Inspired by Reggio]

Reggio, could you explane water play? you let them play with water? how?

I have a child size table in my kitchen ... I put out a bed sheet on the floor and a thick towel on the table and I have one of those 'under the bed rubbermaid bins' that are long but not very deep so that up to 5 children can fit around it if desired however the kids tend to self regulate themselves to take turns about 2-3 at a time. I have plastic smocks for them to wear over their clothes to stay dry ... and a selection of things to add to the bins...this is an older photo before my kitchen reno but it gives an idea and my current clients I have 2 who are signed for no public photos

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/totallyawake/May20004.jpg

I also have 5 'bowls' for individual play which I use if someone has a cold or if I want them to be able to explore on own with something like 'goop' or other sensory that should not be shared.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/totallyawake/Waterproperties2.jpg

Our other form of water play exploration is using the divided container of some sort like an ice cube tray or 'veggie tray' and moving water around with eye droppers to make colored water ~ this is an all time favorite specially when I am under the weather cause it requires least mess, keeps them most quiet and concentrated and they will play for long periods all i have to do is occasionally refresh their tray palette and refill their colored water pots ;)

Here is a beginning photo of the water scientists at work

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/totallyawake/Coloringmixing.jpg

[Inspired by Reggio]

BTW you do not need a child size table ~ when I worked in centre care we would put the water right on the floor on the sheets and just strip the kids down to play cause they would be more wet cause they were 'sitting' in the water that spilled over ... benefit of the table is that I just take their slippers and socks off the rest of them is able to stay dry so less work for me ;)