One of the toughest things about being a parent is seeing my children when they are sick. I feel completely helpless. And while I cannot HEAL them (but thank goodness for wonderful pediatricians), I can sure do my best to comfort them while they are under-the-weather.

Sick children are scared. They don’t fully understand why they feel the way they do. They don’t understand that some of the things that are designed to make them better will be unpleasant at first. They don’t understand why they have to miss out on things that are a part of their usual routine. They need comfort. And parents are GREAT for that.

Here’s my list of top 10 tips for comforting your sick child.

1. Keep damp washcloths (preferably awesome colors that your child loves) in the freezer.  They can help bring a fever down and give nervous little hands something to crunch.
2. Fill a shoebox with crayons, small tablets of paper, stickers and other age-appropriate craft supplies. This will keep your child occupied while she’s sidelined.
3. Make a bed on the couch for the sick child. She will likely want to be near you…not off in her room alone. Include favorite blankets, stuffed animals, dollies, pillows. Maybe even pull up a chair and drape a sheet over to create a pretend tent. Make the rest time fun.
4. Be sure to provide ample fluids to keep dehydration at bay. Keep ice pops (homemade ones using favorite juices are fabulous) handy. When a sick child is starting to get dehydrated, she may not be willing to drink a beverage, but you can probably get her to nibble on an ice pop.
5. If the illness is likely to last several days or more, have relatives and friends drop get-well cards in the mail for her. Every child loves to get real mail. It will really lift her spirits and make her feel special.
6. A cool-mist humidifier can help keep mucus thin and make breathing easier when your child has a cold.
7. Super soft tissues are a must. Little noses are very sensitive and can quickly become red and raw if wiped too often with rough tissue. And an ointment/lotion with staying power, such as Aquaphor, is great for keeping those little noses comfortable.
8. Read to your child. Gather some of her favorite books and just spend some quality time enjoying the diversion that good books can provide.
9. Gently massage an ointment like Vick’s BabyRub on your child’s chest to help relieve congestion.
10. Lukewarm baths can help bring down a stubborn fever and can also provide a bit of away-from-the-couch playtime. Include favorite bath toys and ALWAYS provide constant supervision.

Above all, be with your sick child if at all possible. There is nothing more comforting than the love of a parent.

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