Kids get sick...a lot. Being prepared can save you the midnight runs to the drug store or sleeping on the floor because the baby threw up in your bed.

• Always have three sets of sheets clean and ready to go. Kids always throw up again after you put on clean sheets at 3am.
• Use a stockpot as a barf bucket. Layer a couple sheets of damp toilet paper at the bottom to avoid up-splash. Empty pot into toilet Toss in dishwasher.
• Only one parent should be in charge of the medicine. Baby can’t tell you if daddy just gave her Tylenol. A second dose could make the baby sick. And a missed dose of an antibiotic can keep the baby sick.
• Take your child’s temperature when they aren’t sick. Two reasons why - they know what you are doing when they are delirious with fever and you have an idea of what the normal baseline is for them with that particular thermometer.
• Always have fever, cold and cough medicine on hand. They always get sick when you least expect it and taking a sick baby to the store is not fun.
• Always keep Tylenol/Acetaminophen suppositories in stock. Sometimes babies and small kids are too sick to take or keep down fever reducers. It’s not fun, but sometimes it has to be done.
• When they are really sick - at any age - they usually just wantyou to hold them. I know there are dishes and laundry calling for you. You will be less frustrated if you just give into your kids and hold them. (unless you are washing vomit covered sheets - get that done first - they always throw up again at 3am).
• Chicken Noodle or Chicken with Stars still works for sick kids. Just try to buy the kind with No MSG. Campbell’s now makes it that way - read the label.
• Gatorade Vs. Pedialyte - My opinion, whatever you can get them to drink and whatever will stay down.
• Gatorade snow cones - crushed ice with Gatorade as flavor.
• Regarding above - Never give red or orange Gatorade to a sick kid. Red Gatorade does NOT come out of carpets, couches or light pink Dora pajamas when mixed with vomit.
• Same for the above with Jell-o or Popsicles - use the lighter colors with nauseous kids.