Tricks to make your sick children feel better … and so you! #VicksTricks

It starts the moment we hold them in hand!, dealing with the sleepless nights, restless days, leaky bottom, runny nose, roaring tummy, cough, cold, sneeze, temperature and non-stop tantrum and despite all these…..an incomparable happiness and the proud of becoming parents!

And….. it gets worse as they start Nursery! They bring anything and everything home, from their beautiful scribblings to the delicious cake and definitely every infection too! 

There is nothing harder than seeing the children suffering and every parent might feel “it would rather be me than my child” and eventually each of us learn the tricks to keep the children feel comfortable when they are ill,! some hilarious, some really thoughtful!

Image Credit – Pixabay

The very popular brand Vicks,  known for years for soothing children (and even grownups) from cold and congestion, has launched a campaign to learn about the tips and tricks from parents around the world. The would love to hear about what we, as a parent do to make our children feel better and how do we entertain them and distract them from feeling unwell. We joined @Britmums and few other bloggers on this campaign to share our tips and you can read all about it by following the hashtag #VicksTricks on twitter. 

I remember having a shiny chest with Vicks vapoRub whenever  I suffered from Cough and cold! There was never a day at home without Vicks vapoRub in the medicine cupboard! Now, I follow my mum!

Vicks VapoRub* – It has always been there for me! 

Here are few tips from me that I authentically inherited from my mum! 🙂

 Hugs… Hugs…. Hugs….

Plenty of hugs, tight but still gentle! Sometimes they don’t need anything other than the warmth from the parent! A hug would do! Whether it is a tantrum or a nasty cold, a huge hug makes them feel comfortable with additional support from medicines like Vicks that we built our trust on for years! 

Plenty of water and keep it warm! 

Don’t expect them to eat as normal as they would do! just think… would you be interested in eating when you are unwell!?! But… I know… we can’t and we won’t leave them! 🙂 Anything you give to them, make sure of having it as a liquid diet… it helps in easy digestion!

Soups and warm rice porridge are perfect diets – 2/3 spoonful will keep them hydrated and would be gentle to the tummy! 

Steam inhalation:

Although many children would be reluctant to do it, this is one of the best I have found so far with both of my children… All I do is, just get inside the throw with them! A gentle rub of vicks VapoRub on their chest, back and little under the nose accompanied with steam inhalation helps to relieve congestion and blocked nose(for a while and to some extent). This has been my mum’s favourite too! 

A movie or a favourite cartoon:

Obviously, you can’t snuggle them throughout the day! So, leave them with their favourite snack and Cartoon for a while as you get the dinner done or anything of a housework – that actually never ends! 

Reading their favourite story! 

It’s hard to make them sleep when they are ill! Reading their favourite story will ease them a bit and let them have a nap! The lovely people at Britmums and Vicks have sent us some finger puppets and a book (you might all be familiar with!) “A rabbit who wants to fall asleep” to help me a little with easing the children and it worked like a treat when she had a stomach bug last week!

Dress them up on their favourite character (if you have one 🙂 )

It has definitely helped me when DD2 was down with a bad flu.! She gets little enthusiastic and playful despite feeling down! Why not give it a try !? It might work! And, Vicks has come up with a new product “VICKS FIRST DEFENCE NASAL SPRAY**” to help fighting cold when it starts! I haven’t had a chance to use it on me or children (thankfully and sorry Vicks! :), ) but hubby had used it last week and found it very effective! 

Fight against the first signs of a cold or flu. Welcome to the last place a cold or flu wants you to be. As soon as you feel one coming, send it packing! Vicks First Defence can reduce the chance of developing a full-blown cold. Chances are your cold won’t take hold.

Paracetamol and Turmeric milk with a pinch of pepper:

A dose of Paracetamol will help them feel better when they have sore throat or temperature. Turmeric milk with a pinch of pepper is a traditional warm drink back in India when I grew up and I am sure it is even now. I was once told by the GP nurse that regularly sipping “Lemon and Honey in warm water” often helps to feel better. 

Fresh air:

Let them be out in the fresh air for a very short time! It is good way of refreshing! Wrap them around nicely and go for a teeny, tiny walk until end of the road (hope it is not miles away for you)

Although I am not a great magician, I love making my children giggle as laughter is one of the best Vicks medicines! 

Vicks has compiled a few easy to follow magic tricks videos for all of us to try at home! and I hope you enjoy them as they are simple, easy and great fun to replicate!! I did the coin trick and it was a huge failure as the coin slipped off my thumb… but for me, it was a huge success as it made my children laugh more!

and there are more at Vicks YouTube Channel….

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5o-TCpIas3-ibIHWl4XCHA

Vicks had a survey and here are the key findings: 

• Over half (52%) of parents said that rest was the most important thing for making children feel better
• This was followed by ‘medicine’, which 40% of parents rely on
• More than a third of parents (36%) believe in the power of TLC

And when it comes to keeping children entertained: 

• Three out of four (75%) British parents put on the TV or a DVD
• Over a quarter (27%) read to their children
• 1 in 10 parents get really creative; either telling jokes (8%) or even do magic tricks (2%)

Family Psychologist Corinne Sweet highlights that “one of the most powerful antidotes to sickness developing further, is parental care and concern.” 

And that parental care and concern goes in the form of hugs and kisses! 

“This post is an entry for the #VicksTricks campaign in association with @Britmums and @Vicks

• VapoRub is for the relief of nasal congestion, catarrh, sore throat and cough due to colds. For children aged 2 years and over. Always read the label.

**Vicks First Defence is a medical Device. Always read the label.