Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
It is that time of year when the grandkids have returned to school after their winter holiday breaks and someone in the family inevitably comes down with the flu or other popular virus. Then, the phone call comes to watch them for the next day or two until they are better to return to class. Entertaining a sick grandchild does not have to be a dreaded experience if you can find fun and creative ways to spend your time together.
When your grandchildren are feeling ill, it is natural to want to make them as comfortable as possible. While they may not have the energy for their usual activities, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained and distracted from their illness. As a grandparent, your nurturing spirit can bring comfort and joy, even during these less-than-ideal times. Here are some fun and soothing ways to entertain your sick grandchildren and help them feel better while staying safe and cozy at home.
Reading is a perfect activity when they are sick because it is calm, comforting, and does not require much energy. Set up a little reading nook with soft blankets and pillows on the floor. Choose their favorite picture books or storybooks that transport them to magical places. If they are older, offer them a chapter book or let them pick out a graphic novel. You can also read to them or take turns reading if they feel up for it.
If your grandchild is in the mood for something more engaging than reading, why not try interactive storytelling? You can weave together a tale where they get to choose what happens next. This can be done verbally or with puppets, stuffed animals, or toys. They might enjoy making decisions for the characters, which gives them a sense of control and helps keep their minds off feeling unwell.
If you are dealing with a respiratory type of virus, and your grandchild still has an appetite, producing some special treats together is a fun thing to do. Put together nutritional smoothies to drink or make up a batch of homemade chicken soup. Teach them to make their own tea with honey and lemon and cinnamon sugar toast to eat along with it. If it is a norovirus, or stomach flu, forget the treats! Only offer water or electrolyte drinks in small portions. Plain toast after a few hours of complete fasting for the stomach to rest. If a child is hesitant to drink, use a fun cup and straw to provide more intake of needed fluids.
My policy is, if you stay home from school, getting a nap in the afternoon is mandatory! As much as they will protest, I have found that they do fall asleep. Music is a powerful way to help your grandchild relax and unwind. Create a calming playlist with soft lullabies, instrumental music or nature sounds.
Sometimes all a sick child needs is a few hours of their favorite movies or shows. Pick out a couple of comfort classics or family-friendly films that bring them joy. Let them pick what they want to watch or choose something soothing like a nature documentary or a gentle animated movie. Watching travel videos is great for pretending to take a trip together plus learning about another culture and attractions.
Another calm way to pass the time is to play games. Card games or board games, such as Battleship or Candyland are fun, but not complicated.
Crafts can be a fun and creative way to spend time indoors but keeping them mess-free is key when they are sick. Select simple and easy activities like coloring with crayons or colored pencils, making paper airplanes, or creating origami. If they are up to it, you can even try sticker art or simple jewelry-making with beads.
When all else fails, simply being present and showing love is often the best thing you can do. Give your grandchild plenty of hugs, gentle pats and kind words. Sometimes the best form of entertainment is your warm, comforting presence—letting them know you are there to take care of them while they recover.
Photos by Karen Shadrach
