Recovering From A Flu: When Mom Is Sick.

Introduction

Recovering from a flu or just being sick in general can be a challenging experience, particularly for a stay-at-home mom/parent with a kid or kids who still need to attend school and other activities. Even when parents are sick, we still need to take care of ourselves and our children while also ensuring that we manage school drop-offs, pick-ups and all the other activities. 

I’m a person who is rarely sick, but I’m currently down with a lingering cold, and I honestly cannot remember the last time I felt like this. Thus, I wanted to share some of my coping strategies for managing being sick with a full (common cold) while also managing my responsibilities as a mom/parent. Keep in mind, however, that I am not a doctor, and you should always get medical advice/attention when you are ill. That being said, here are things that work for me when I have a common cold.

Get plenty of rest when recovering from a flu.

Rest is critical when it comes to recovering from a flu. Make sure you get as much rest as possible, and encourage your children to rest as well. If you’re feeling particularly exhausted, consider asking for help from a friend or family member to manage school drop-offs and pick-ups. I know telling a busy mom to get plenty of rest is easier said than done, but you should prioritize your rest and your health and worry less about a messy house, laundry, etc. Health is wealth, and all the chores and things we must do for our kids are much easier to do when we are healthy. Furthermore, these 34 words of advice for new parents may also be of some help too.

Stay hydrated.

Staying hydrated is also essential when recovering from a flu. Drink plenty of fluids, including water, tea, and soup, and encourage your children to do the same. If you’re finding it difficult to keep fluids down, try drinking small sips at regular intervals. I drink a certain amount of water every day based on my height and weight, and whilst trying to get over the flu, the doctor advised me to drink more than my usual daily consumption. So, ensure you check with your doctor.

Take your prescribed medications.

There are over-the-counter medications that can help relieve the symptoms of the flu. I have had allergic reactions from taking some of such medicines, although there are other others that have helped me in recovering from the flu. So, check with your doctor before taking any medication, particularly if you’re pregnant or have underlying health conditions.

Practice good hygiene.

Good hygiene is crucial when dealing with the flu. Frequently washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and avoiding close contact with others, particularly those who are sick, will help you recover from the flu quickly. After washing your hands, dry them with paper towels instead of using a shared cloth/towel.

Use a face mask.

To stop the flu from spreading, consider using a face mask. When you have the flu, it is safe to say that your immune system is compromised, and although you are an ill mom, you still have kids to take care of and errands to run. Thus, using a face mask will be beneficial to you as well as to those around you.

Use online resources.

Many schools offer online resources for parents who cannot bring their kids to school due to illness. Check with your children’s school to see if they offer any online resources, such as homework assignments or video lessons. Take advantage of this use of online resources option if it is available to you, as it will free up some of your time to rest and take care of yourself, which will greatly help you in recovering from the flu.

Ask for help.

Being ill as a mom is the worst, as we are usually used to taking care of others. However, there is nothing wrong with asking for a little help so we can recover from the flu quickly. Be bold, and don’t be afraid to ask for a helping hand from your family members or friends if you need it, as this can greatly help you in your recovery from the flu. They could assist you with school drop-offs and pick-ups or provide meals for your family while you are recovering.

These tips, although simple, have really really helped me a lot especially in staying hydrated and getting sufficient rest, and I have had to cut back on a lot of activities in order to do this. I do hope you find these tips helpful. By following them, you can manage your symptoms while also managing your responsibilities as a parent. 

Get well soon.