Sick Single Mom

Parenting while being sick as a single mom seems to be a daunting task. However single mothers somehow manage to take care of their children and fulfill their parental obligation during the cold and flu seasons. Single moms are unsung heroes with magical powers who do not fail to take care of their children while feeling their absolute worst. This guide will cover the best tips and strategies for single moms to tackle the germs and flu season like a pro.

Tips For Single Mom Sick With Flu

Getting sick while being a solo mother can be a challenging experience. With few people to rely on, you need to keep going and take care of yourself while taking time to heal. However, some things can make it bearable for single mothers and help them to feel better in no time. It is important to take care of yourself before you get sick and learn a few ways to better manage your challenging times.

1. Listen To Your Body

Although a flu or a cold can strike at any time single moms should know their body condition and pay attention to the time of year when they are more prone to illness. For instance, a lot of people get colds and flu in the winter.  Single moms should be aware of their body signs and try to slow down as much as possible during this stage.

2. Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Staying fit and healthy will make your immune system stay stronger and make you less susceptible to flu and colds. Single mothers with no support system or network to rely on should consider themselves getting vaccinated. In this way, they can avoid the flu or get fewer symptoms. Some other ways you can simply do to prevent causing a nasty cold or fluids are eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting good sleep.

3. Take Vitamins To Prevent Falling Sick

Taking vitamin supplements will help you to prevent falling sick and these supplements will help in your healing process. These vitamins will be of great help during your susceptible times in the year. For instance, taking vitamin C and zinc supplements will help to prevent being a sick single mom.

4. Cook And Freeze

The last thing that a single mom with flu will do is eat healthy food and cooking during those times also seems less appealing.  However, you should not forget that your children will be expecting meals three times a day with snacks in between. In this type of situation, you can use your freezer and make sure you have plenty of snacks and meals that you can simply defrost, reheat and serve to your children.

5. On-Call Doctor

On-call doctor services are a brilliant option for single-sick mothers. The last thing you would want when you are feeling ill is to Google the best on-call doctor service. Therefore you can research and plan about the local call-out services and stick the number on the fridge so that you can get medical support whenever needed.

Tips For Single Moms When They Get Sick

Following are the tips that single moms can take when they feel sick to improve their condition and feel better.

1. Call For Support

Single moms with morning sickness should not hesitate to reach out for support when they are not feeling well. You can count on your close friends and relatives and even neighbors for help who can help with babysitting or household work. Seeking support will help you get a fast healing process. Single mothers are recommended to stay at home if they are ill and not to turn up to work and pass their cold to their colleagues.

2. Drink Plenty Of Fluids

One easiest and simplest way through which you can fasten your healing process is to drink plenty of fluids. Avoid taking alcohol and wine in this type of situation. Drinking plenty of water and juice will help to keep your temperature down, loosen mucus, and replace the lost fluid.

3. Take Medications Timely

Sick single moms are recommended not to hold back on medication as long as they are advised by their healthcare professionals. The truth is that there isn’t any cure for the common cold therefore relieving the symptoms is the best way through which you can feel better. Also, do not take more medication than necessary as it will make it less effective for your body to get used to.

4. Do Not Let Your Germs Spread To Your Children

As a sick single mom, you have a risk to make matters worse by spreading the germs to your children as they get ill too. You can take quick action to avoid this type of situation. For instance, you can practice hand washing, general hygiene, and surface wiping. You can cover your mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing. Always use a tissue and throw it straight away after using it. Make use of antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers.

5. Go Easy On Yourself

Single mothers should ditch the idea of being a perfect mother every time. Being a human it is natural to get ill from time to time. You need space, time, and support to get healing. Never feel self-doubt and self-guilt for not being able to work or take care of your children like before. You need to rest and relax. It is absolutely fine if you get yourself tucked up on the bed with your favorite book while your friends or neighbors take care of your children and drop them off at school.

What’s The Perfect Care Package For The Sick Single Mom?

Does any single mom you care about have the flu or cold and you wish to help them out but do not know what to do? When a family member, a friend, or a loved one feels sick under the weather then you can make ultimate care packages for them that will surely bring a smile to their face. Below are the items that you can consider putting in the perfect care packages for sick single moms.

1. Putting Items Of Comfort

Staying home may sound fun, however, when you are fighting off the flu or cold you want something which can help you pass the time easily. Putting items of comfort will help single mothers to pass their time easily while keeping themselves entertained such as a good book, a scented candle, comfy and fuzzy socks, warm and cozy blanket, coconut oil and moisturizers, soothing lotion tissues, Epsom salts for a soothing and hot bath, jigsaw puzzle, Suzuki puzzle book, crossword, etc.

2. Healing Foods

Some foods have high healing properties which can support the body to fight against germs and illness and make a person feel better. When you are looking for making a perfect care package for sick single moms you can consider including nourishing foods into the package to help your sick family member, friend, or loved one on their road to recovery. These include homemade chicken soup, herbal tea, raw honey, coconut water, bananas, and oatmeal as well as vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.

3. First Aid

Once you make sure to include the basic comforts, next consider adding items that will ease symptoms and will bring much-needed relief. This includes facial tissues to protect their skin by locking in moisture, rubs or ointments containing menthol to make breathing easier, nasal irrigation devices to help clear their sinuses, over-counter-nasal decongestant, and a shooting hot or cold back for solid aching muscles.

4. Adding A Sense Of Personal Touch

You can show your love to your sick single mama friend or family member by adding a personal touch to do something which truly comes from the heart. For instance, you can add up a custom playlist with your favorite songs or a handwritten note. You can also reach out to them if they need anything in particular that you can add to your care package. These small gestures will help them to recover faster and feel good. In addition, you can also offer to help them with household chores, take their kids to school, offer to take their dog for a walk, cook a meal or run quick household errands.

Advice For Single Moms With Sick Children

Kids get ill from time to time and parents watch them anxiously as their cheerful children become listless and sad. Being a single mom with a sick child can be difficult and upsetting as you not only have to take care of your child but also fulfill work and household work single-handedly. A lot of infections and flu can be prevented quickly. However, if an illness is immediate, serious, or occasionally long term then immediate help is required. Following are the ways which will teach you how to care for a sick child as a single mom:

1. Seek Medical Help

It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your child’s health. Talk to a healthcare professional and help your child to get better with illness. Look for physical symptoms such as high temperature, vomiting, unusual behavior like crying, refusing food or drink, coughing, drowsy, or being listless. If you’re not sure whether your child is sick or if the symptoms do not improve then contact your GP.

2. Gargling Water For Colds And Sore Throats

Swishing as well as gargling water during the first sign of a respiratory infection or cold can help reduce your infection by up to 36% as per studies. If your child is experiencing a sore throat then you can add salt to the water that will help them in cleaning the tonsils and will give them extra relief.

3. Back Rubs And Extra Cuddles

Although it is not scientifically proven that back rubs and extra cuddles can reduce stomach viruses, length of colds, or other pains and eggs, it is a good thing and can help your child to feel better. While most people keep their distance, mothers are happy to bridge the gap for their little ones whom they love unconditionally. This way they can make their sick child feel comfortable.

4. Cook Chicken Noodle Soup For Colds

If you are noticing signs of allergies, cold or respiratory illness then cook chicken noodle soups or chicken broth for your child. Chicken soup works during illness and as per scientific studies and research, chicken soup inhibits the movement of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that is in charge of handling germs and infection. While neutrophils can be beneficial sometimes it leads to inflammation which can make cold symptoms worse in your kids.

5. Honey For Coughs And Cranberry Juice For Urinary Tract Infection

If you are finding your child difficult to swallow cough syrup then you can use honey in its place. From the World Health Organization to ordinary people everyone is aware of the health benefits of honey which reduces cough symptoms and helps in improving sleep. Single moms can give their children 10 grams of honey before making them sleep. Cranberry juice is also effective in preventing urinary tract infections. If you or your child is prone to urinary tract infection then drinking cranberry juice will help you to fight against the bacteria.

Conclusion

If you and your child are feeling sick then you can reach out for help to your close ones. You can count on your friends, grandparents, neighbors, siblings, and family members for support during this difficult time. Getting sick can be especially difficult if you’re a single mom with a sick child, however by following the above-mentioned tips and strategies it is possible to get through the difficult time. Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, taking a hot shower, and taking timely medications will help you and your sick child to fight against infection.