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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., Abreva, Emergen-C, Lipton, Robitussin and Theraflu. All opinions are mine alone. #SickDayTips #CollectiveBias

I woke up and didn’t even want to open my eyes… I could just tell I was in for a rough day.

My nose was stuffed, my throat was sore, and I was going to be alone all day with my five children.

Moms can’t take a sick day, right? We power through it.

Except that some days… Mom needs a sick day for real.

So I’ve put together this sick day survival guide for moms of many so that the next time you’re feeling under the weather you can take care of yourself AND the 247 kiddos that seem to need everything from you!

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

Now, I have 5 kids, and my oldest is 8. So there isn’t a whole lot they can do without me.

So on sick days, I have to do a few specific things to keep the family running while taking time to help myself get better.

Because the days I try to “power through it” I end up way sicker, and that doesn’t help anyone.

#1 Let Go of Expectations

This is honestly the first step, and I do it before I even get out of bed on days I feel sick.

I let go of my expectations.

Was I going to write a blog post today? Were we going to make a volcano in our homeschool?

Not anymore.

Today I’m going to be happy if I make it til the end of the day with all 5 kids relatively happy and fed.

#2 Pour ALL the Bottles and Sippy Cups

Okay, this might sound ridiculous, but just wait until you pull your sicky-self off the couch to go pour a sippy cup for your toddler, then you finally get back to the couch only for the baby to need a bottle.

No. Thanks.

So before I get comfy, I pour ALL the bottles and sippy cups and stick them in the fridge.

My kids can grab cups from the fridge, and I don’t have to think about pouring anything all day long.

Bonus points if you also pre-make lunch (sandwiches) and tell your kids it’s a picnic day.

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

#3 Set Up Netflix, Tablets, and Special Toys

Remember how we let go of expectations in step one? You’re going to thank me for that because today is a movie marathon day.

Set up Netflix to your kids’ favorite show.

Keep the tablets and special toys they don’t get often on hand for when they’re driving you up the wall.

Your kid only has one hour of tech time a day?

That’s cool, but today you’re going to thank your lucky stars for all the tech in your house for keeping the kids occupied.

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

#4 Set Up a Comfy Spot

My favorite is the couch because it’s central to everything.

Plus there’s a coffee table right next to it to keep everything I need.

Bring out your favorite cozy blanky and your comfiest pillows, and dive in.

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

Snooze on the couch while the kids watch Netflix.

Veg out while they get *another* snack from the fridge.

With any luck, you’ll only have to get up 2-3 times for naps!

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

#5 Keep a Wellness Basket at All Times

Maybe the most important step, always keep a wellness basket on hand!

In this basket I keep the medicines, teas, and general feel-better goodness that I want close at hand.

I shopped at Fred Meyer, part of the Kroger Family of Stores, because Kroger stores has an awesome selection for cold and flu season!

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

The first thing I put in my wellness basket is always Emergen-C Immune+® Super Orange.

Emergen-C Immune+® supports your immune system with the key nutrients your body needs, such as Vitamin D and Zinc. Plus, every Emergen-C Immune+® formula is packed with Vitamin C.* Plus it contains natural fruit flavors

Then, of course, I throw in some Lipton Soothe Your Tummy Tea.

The Lipton Wellness range, made with carefully selected botanicals and blended with essential oils, helps make wellbeing a part of your everyday routine. The Lipton Soothe Your Tummy Tea is an herbal infusion for those times your tummy feels less than its best.* Carefully selected botanicals like ginger and peppermint are blended with natural essential oils that make every cup delicious.

Then I grab some Abreva® Pump Cold Sore and Fever Blister Treatment because every time I’m sick I always end up fighting a cold sore at the same time. Abreva is not for temporary symptom relief, but healing. It delivers the best results when used at the first sign of a cold sore (e.g. the tingle that one feels on his/her lip). Nothing heals your cold sore faster than Abreva.

Then, as luck has it, if I’m sick the kids are definitely going to start coughing soon, so I make sure I have Children’s Robitussin® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion DM.

With Robitussin® you can fight your cough and help kick your symptoms to the curb. The liquid-strength of Robitussin® soothes on contact and provides cough relief for hours. Help your child feel better with effective cough relief plus real honey! Relieves chest congestion, mucus and quiets cough (Non-Drowsy).

And I just grabbed some of these Theraflu Power Pods Nighttime Severe Cold to try out, and they are AMAZING. Don’t let the cold or flu get in your way. Theraflu Power Pods Daytime Severe Cold or Theraflu Power Pods Nighttime Severe Cold fit right in your routine. Compatible with most single-serve coffee makers, these fast-relieving pods work on even your most severe symptoms. Press. Sip. Relief. (Please note: do not use Theraflu Power Pods Nighttime Severe Cold & Robitussin® at the same time)

These temporarily relieve these symptoms due to a cold like:

  • minor aches and pains
  • headache
  • nasal and sinus congestion
  • cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
  • minor sore throat pain
  • Temporarily reduces fever

So you can get powerful relief without a prescription!

Sick Day Survival Guide for Moms of Many

Check out the best deals on your cold and flu season needs here!

Theraflu-(c) 2019 the GSK group of companies or its licensor. Theraflu is for use in adults 12 years and older.

Use all products only as directed. Read label and follow directions. Abreva, Emergen-C, Robitussin – Use only as directed. Read label and follow directions.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.