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I love fall. I love winter. But I really don’t love all the sicky germs that come with these two seasons. I think we can all agree that being sick stinks. Having sick kids stinks even more. And having a few kids, with one or more of them being sick, is pretty much a disaster.
As much as I’d love to snuggle up with a puking kid and give them my full and undivided attention for 24 hours, let’s be real. It just isn’t possible. Life goes on outside that germ-infested room. Other kids need help with homework. Toddlers need to be entertained. Diapers need to be changed. The dog needs to be walked (Ha! At least for all you suckers with a dog…I only do humans). My point is, it isn’t feasible to be by a sick child’s side for every single minute he is sick.
I have total sick kid anxiety, wanting to run and check on the sicky every 30 seconds, because what if she is puking and I have no idea?! What kind of mother would I be if I only checked on her every 5 minutes, and she has spent the past 4 and a half minutes in complete agony, holding her own hair back to violently vomit, while I was out in the kitchen making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?!
Does this sound familiar? How can we be in two places at once? As much as I’d love to tell you I have found a way to clone myself, I am still working on that. But until then…I have found a solution to ease my mom anxiety, calm my sick kid’s anxiety, and optimize productivity while tending to a sick kid or kids.
There is one thing in my medicine cupboard ALL. THE. TIME. It’s right next to my thermometer.
A cowbell. Yep. That’s right, folks. This small, insignificant, $5 item has changed the way we do the flu around here. Of course, I still check on my sick kids from time to time. But now I don’t have to feel guilty every second I am not checking in. I know that if they need me, they have an effective way to get my attention.
It doesn’t have to be a COWbell. It can be a normal bell like this one found on Amazon for about $5.
AHHHHH! Also! Don’t forget to Clorox this cowbell before putting it back in your medicine cupboard!!!!!!
I would like to remind you of the name of this blog: Plan For Awesome. Even Amazon Prime isn’t fast enough when you have someone turn up puking at your house. This is a purchase you’ll want to make RIGHT NOW. TODAY. It is already November. Don’t wait til it’s too late. This is $5 worth spending BEFORE you need it.
And in case you haven’t seen the SNL skit, “More Cowbell,” here is what I think about every single time I hear that word. I can’t find the full version (legally) to post on here. It’s hilarious. If you ever find the full skit, it’s worth the couple minutes to watch the whole thing. It’s dang funny.
To learn how to get your medicine cupboard winter-ready, check out this post HERE.
For more tips and tricks for managing sickness with kids (or just yourself), check out 11 Absolutely Genius Mom Hacks for Taking Care of Sick Kids! and also How to Avoid Doctor’s Office Germs With Little Kids (Adults Too)!
Winter storm preparedness means having the proper supplies, knowing how to stay warm without power, and being aware of winter storm safety tips. Prepare now.
If you don’t have an entire room to dedicate to storing Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you’re going to need a more compact option for your emergency storage of cleaning supplies. Force of Nature is just as effective as Clorox but without all the toxins. And a year’s supply fits in the palm of your hand!
Don’t let overwhelm keep you from starting your 72 hour kits for kids and babies. Check out this detailed and comprehensive list of what to include in yours.
