Help for parents when caring for sick kids…and it doesn’t cost a cent

Let’s face it (and be really honest) taking care of a sick child or children is not one of the highlights of parenthood. Of course, our main focus is to help the child feel better and more comfortable, but as parents we also know how mentally, physically and emotionally draining this time can be for us.

Looking after a sick kid can be a challenge at the best of times but if you have had limited sleep and have not been feeling healthy yourself, it can be all the more exhausting. Whether you are at the hospital or doctors, sitting beside their beds or watching their favourite cartoons in the middle of the night, it can be a tiring experience but the reason I am writing this is to assure all parents it doesn’t have to be.

I recently experienced this first-hand while caring for my 4 ½-year-old in hospital with severe croup while my 16-month-old was also very sick at the same time with an ear infection. The night before my son was admitted to hospital, I managed to joke to myself that it would be easier to have a revolving door between my two kids’ bedrooms. I would settle one to sleep and no sooner catch some rest myself when the other would wake crying out for me and on and on it went through the night.

What I’ve learned over the years and more recently, as cliché as it sounds, that these times are best dealt with present moment awareness, for to do anything else is futile and even insane as I remember the words of Eckhart Tolle. His famous quote would compete for the ringing in my ears against my daughter and son’s cries in pain.

“What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to something that already is.”

As difficult as it can seem at the time to practice living in the now, and to fight against ‘what is’, personally I have found time and again that not practising it makes the situation worse.

I’m not suggesting that we hear our child’s cough or see their runny nose and immediately jump for joy announcing “Yay! An opportunity to learn present moment awareness!” but it can be a tool to help you deal with the situation.

While our kids are sick, it’s natural to find ourselves wishing them well and contemplating happier times. Suddenly the simple things in life like kicking a ball around at the park becomes much more appealing than checking temperatures and seeing your child’s tears.

Then I would remember another of Eckhart’s quotes:

“Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there’.”

So I would constantly have to keep myself in check and simply be present. I would remain focused on what I was doing at the time and also give myself regular positive pep talks.

One of those pep talks included the words “this too shall pass” and while my authentic self wanted to stay true to my new-found practice, it was also a way for me to be at peace and comfort with the present moment. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how you arrive there, only that you do.

My sick Eva resting on the lounge. Doing what I can to comfort her in the moment.

My sick Leo in emergency before being admitted to hospital. Even though inside I was shaking at times, all I could do was comfort him and assure him that he would be ok.