9-yr-old home sick for 1 week, LOTs of TV, IDEAS please???

[Tanibani]

Hi!

My 9-yr-old son is home sick for a week. I usually limit TV, but we have a rule when you are sick you can watch TV shows (TiVO'd) and a movie.

Now it's just too much.

I am trying to figure out what to do with him. He doesn't want me to read a book to him or play a game. He'd be very happy just watching whatever he wanted, but then he is a BEAR (mean, teasing) his 5 yr old sister.

In part because he feels ignored by me (i'm running errands, on the phone dealing with various stuff, on the computer communicating with Dad or others about him - DH is traveling now).

Help! (What do you do when your children are sick?)

I know "all misbehavior is due to unmet needs" so how do I meet his needs for closeness with me?

TIA

[ollyoxenfree]

Poor guy. I hope he feels better soon.

How sick is he and what is he capable of doing? Is he flat on his back or able to be up and about the house?

If it's a bad cold and he doesn't have gastro symptoms, could you set out the ingredients for some simple cookies or bars and let him try some baking? Until it's time to put them in the oven, he should be able to mix them and put them on a tray with minimal assistance from you.

Is there a new craft he might like to try? At that age, my ds liked to use duct tape to make wallets and belts etc. He also liked building and painting Warhammer figures, but I know lots of parents object to them.

Is there something you need to do that he can help with - sorting laundry, dusting, etc. This may be the golden opportunity to sort out your toy cupboards or organize family photos. There are always jobs that need to get done around the house - if you do them together, it may serve his need to be with you and he will feel productive and helpful too.

Hope he's on the mend soon.

[SkyMomma]

Poor kid. Poor mama! The PP had some great ideas. My DS1 is a bit younger, but here's some thoughts of stuff that works for us (we're pretty much TV free, although DS may occasionally watch a a movie with me when we're both sick):

* If DS1 isn't feeling too awful (low fever, no GI, etc), we take a walk outside. Not to the playground, etc., but just out & about for some gentle exercise & fresh air. (For DS1 it's one of the few times he has my undivided attentnion - with DS2 on my back- so he can talk & talk to me).

* We play cards. I teach DS a new card game from my childhood -- right now we play a lot of crazy eights...maybe your son would play a card game you taught him, something new...I'm thinking "I Doubt It", speed & spit, cribbage, even poker!

* Try some physical contact...mama touch is very healing. Rub his back (even if you're just putting on vicks!), his feet or his head.

* Find other ways to be 'indulgent'. Make yourselves chai or special tea. Run him a warm bath with healing essential oils. Clean flannel sheets. Give each other pedicures , whatever will feel special, indulgent & nurturing.

* I'm big on crafts & so is DS1. If your son is amiable to it, try to think outside the gender guidlines...teach him to knit! There are lots of cool kits out there - DS1 just finished a 'make your own birdhouse' kit. I gave my 8 yr old nephew a bok of advanced paper airplanes, kept him completely occupied for an entire day.

* Books on tape/CD!!!! Rent a bunch from the library, even things he's read before. Books on tape save me when DS1 is feeling lousy & I need to be free to take care of DS2, cook, etc. While your at the library, grab a bunch of books, get a wide variety, fiction & non...you never know what might grab his interest.

--hope he feels better soon!