Parenting During an Illness: Tips and Tricks from an Expert – New York Family

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Parenting During an Illness: Tips and Tricks from an Expert

Let's face it: sick days happen. Even with the religious practices of washing, cleaning, and disinfecting your hands, it is virtually impossible to avoid getting sick from time to time. And if you as a parent can't take a sick day, you can also take a sick day at work. Family life continues while you try to improve.

If you are a parent, illness can seriously impact your family life. Not only do you focus on feeling better, but you also think about how you can keep your home running when you're off duty.

We have with Dr. Julia Samton, psychiatrist at The Midtown Practice , talked about how parents can stay on top of their parenting during illness or inclement weather.

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Know your rights

New York State haslaws that guarantee you the right to sick leave. If you are a working parent, knowing your employer's sick leave policy can help you rest and feel better.

"It's important to recognize and know your rights," says Samton.

Plan ahead

You can't really predict when you'll get sick, but it's likely that you'll get sick at some point. First, make a plan for what your everyday life will look like if you or your partner gets sick.

"It's worth talking to either your partner or someone you co-parent with about a plan for what to do if you're sick," says Samton.

This plan won't be the same for every family, but having an idea of ​​what to do in the event of illness can relieve a lot of stress when illness inevitably happens.

They ask for reinforcements

Parenting is never an individual matter, but that's especially true when you're sick. As you develop your sick leave plan, work with your partner to consider who you can call if you need additional support.

"I think it's necessary to have a short list of people who can be on call, whether it's friends, family or babysitters," Samton says. "Keep a list not of one or two people, but of five or six people."

If you're not close to family or support is missing from your list, consider options such as an emergency babysitter (often offered by babysitting agencies), after-school programs, or community-based programs.

Calling a friend or babysitter in an emergency can be a good option, especially if you or your partner are working remotely.

"When someone new is taking care of your kids or helping you, you're home," Samton says. "Even if you can't do everything you want, you will be in charge at home."

Recognize your limits

Even with the best-laid plans, not everything goes perfectly on a sick day. Between changes in routine and feeling like you're not in top physical shape, things can go wrong at some point.

Knowing and accepting that not everything will be perfect on a sick day is half the battle.

"It's important to recognize your limitations because we all have limitations and accept that not everything has to be perfect and that things won't be done the same way if you're not feeling well physically," Samton said.

It can be difficult to deal with, but if something goes wrong with an illness, that doesn't mean you're a bad parent. And if you accept this, it will be much easier for you to focus on self-care on a sick day.

"We just have to work on accepting and recognizing our limitations and realizing that it doesn't mean who we are as parents or as people," Samton says. "The sooner you accept your own humanity, the better. »

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