How I soothe the children when they are unwell...

When I was little I used to get ill a lot. I was diagnosed with asthma from a very young age and it meant that something like the common cold could really take it out of me. I remember the feeling of my mum rubbing Vicks VapoRub onto my chest and back to help me breathe more easily at night-time. I loved the comforting touch, and would often fall asleep as she did it. If I was off school due to illness all I ever wanted to do was be cuddled and snuggled under a cosy blanket on the sofa. I wanted my mum to comfort me and stroke my hair. I wanted to be looked after.


It feels like recently we've just had a run of cold after cold after cold. If it's not been me feeling under the weather, then one or both of the boys has been snotty and sniffy. It's just the way it is this time of year, especially with Little N being at nursery school. All of a sudden there are all these germs to be spread and caught, and while it's great for their immune system in the long run, it's can be a miserable time while they're suffering.

I often think back to my own childhood as a way of understanding how best to help my children now that I am a mother. It helps me think about things from their perspective. I remember how much better it made me feel to know that I was being cared for and that my mum had time for me. Time and care are such important gifts to give, and I want my children to know that I have both in abundance.

So we've spent a lot of time this winter curled up on the sofa with our blankets and our hot chocolates. We've shared a lot of cuddles while we've read books and watched movies together. We've pretended to be doctors and nurses while we've made the boys' dolls better, because they've caught colds too. Obviously!

Night-time can be particularly difficult as the children wake themselves up with coughing, so often Ian or I end up snuggled up with the children, or they come into our bed. And I resort to the favourite trick from my own childhood, a soothing rub with Vicks VapoRub. We've rested and we've had the odd dose of paracetamol, but I think the power of a little TLC has been what has really helped us all feel better.

Vicks have got four fun little magic trick videos over on YouTube that you could do with your children to entertain them when they're unwell. Laughter is an immune booster after all! I really like the sliced banana trick which I've included below. I bet you can't work out how it's done without the magician revealing!


What tricks do you have for helping your children feel better when they're sick?


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This post is an entry for the #VicksTricks campaign.

15 comments

  1. It's great to have a good childhood to draw memories and learning from. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part.

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  2. My little boy is a type 1 diabetic so when he gets ill he really suffers. All he wants is me lying beside him as he sleeps. Always melts my heart. Then I have to makesure when we get home our middle little boy gets lots of attention and snuggles as he gets so scared by OB being poorly. Lovely post #sundaybest

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  3. Cuddles are essential! I had an awful cold in November and just wanted to go over to my mum's for a hug!
    #SundayBest

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  4. You are such a good mommy :)
    #sundaybest

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  5. Cuddles are a must! Lovely post #SundayBest

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  6. We like to give lots of cuddles when the kids are unwell. I hate seeing kids unwell. #Sundaybest

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  7. its so hard when they're poorly isnt it? Ben has really been suffering and all he wants is mummy cuddles. he's even started with the head lean into me which he's never done before. I love the vicks banana trick, definately something i need to remember in the future #sundaybest

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  8. My daughter really suffers when she's poorly so we know all too well how difficult it can be. Roll on spring #sundaybest

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  9. Nothing worse than poorly children, fab tips here x #SundayBest

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  10. Ah, yes vics vaporub is great. A friend recommended rubbing it on a baby's feet. I haven't tried it yet. Pen x #SundayBest

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  11. Nothing beats mummy cuddles when you're poorly :-)
    #sundaybest

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  12. For me it's usually cuddles and lots of TLC.
    It's harder when you have two though as the other one still needs your attention so we like to get snuggled on the sofa with a blanket and Peppa Pig! I also find that when poorly my toddler sleeps better with me so we do that when she's really bad.
    Xx

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  13. This has been a bad winter for colds and flus in our household. I'm curretnly battling of my third since December. I don't think I've ever been sick this often. I'm a big fan of Vicks but sadly Peachy isn't old enough for it yet. #SundayBest

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  14. Vicks VapoRub is wonderful stuff! Oh, and you can't beat good old-fashioned TLC :) #SundayBest

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  15. Some great tips, and oh my goodness I love that trick! I can't wait to try that on the boys! #SundayBest x

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