We’ve seen a lot of caregivers post questions on our Community about how they should handle it when the kids they care for are sick. So, we decided to ask our fans on Care.com’s Facebook Page: What would they do when the child they care for is sick?
Although some said they wouldn’t come into work in the first place, most said they still care for the child. They offer hydration, relaxation and cuddles as the main treatments.
Here are some of our favorite responses:
- All sorts of things! I take them to the doctor, administer medicine, bring out the humidifier, change their clothes and sheets, wash their favorite toys, bathe them, snuggle with them and over all; nurture them and help them feel better! It’s the job of a nanny with the heart of a woman!
~ Gracie S.
- Extra cuddles, extra water and extra patience.”
~ Lindsay B.
- I don’t take care of sick kids because I have children of my own and wouldn’t want to bring their cold to my child.
~ Yewande D.
- Follow what their parents want you to do and if they ask for your suggestion share it. Sometimes your experiences as a mother or babysitter are good, but rely on doctors and medicine. Dont just assume or guess especially on medication. Always ask parents before giving anything.
~ Marieand J.
- As a nanny, your options are to love the child more, to care and cuddle and keep updated with the parent regarding child
~ Angie H.
- I give lots of cuddles, let them sit with me whenever they want, allow for extra naps, make sure they stay hydrated and just let them know I love them. And for me, I take deep breaths, and remind myself that they will feel better soon.
~ Lauren B.
- I usually do not go into work if the child is very contagious since I work for more than one family, and I really don’t want to get sick.
~ Emily Best
- Give them lots of snuggles. Nothing changes.
~ Cheyanne M.
- Make an awesome fort in front of the television and just let them recoup with lots of liquids.
~ Michelle K.
- Send them home to mom and dad.
~ Giggle P.
- Well, the child I care for is my own…so the day usually becomes all about him. If he’s tired, he can sleep. If he’s cold, then we cuddle. If he wants to play, we play. If he wants to eat, he eats. And then I do whatever I can to ease any symptoms.
~ Morgan B.
- You stay strong, gentle and patient; and you never get sick because you don’t have time.
~ Terri M.
- Take care of them, of course. I have one home right now who had surgery yesterday, so I’m changing bandages and consoling. It comes with the job, is my feeling.
~ Connie T.
- Having fibromyalgia, it makes it so hard when parents don’t tell me their child is sick and let me come over and be with them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sick for weeks because I wasn’t warned or given the courtesy.
~ Leah H.
- Have movie day on the couch, drink tea and eat saltines.
~ Nicole K.
- Make sure they drink water or Gatorade, so they stay hydrated. Make sure they rest as much as possible.
~ Jessica G.
- It depends on what they have. As someone who has kids at home, I don’t want to risk getting them sick. If it’s contagious, I leave it to the parents to be parents and I stay home to avoid spreading it from one household to the other. Just like if my kids at home were sick, I wouldn’t take their germs to work with me. If it isn’t contagious, then I stick to whatever needs to be done: medicine, cuddling and fluids.
~ Marissa B.
- More attention, more love
~ Mohammad M.
- Mostly snuggle jammies and juice. Sometimes we make Apple popsicles. There’s usually an art project or two involved. Lots of stories and some cuddles. This could be when nanny is sick a lot.
~ Justina F.
- Nurturing and TLC, as well as the correct medication if necessary, are essential
~ Valerie W.
- Depends how sick. If it’s something I can catch, then I don’t go in that day. If it’s just a cold or if it’s not contagious, life goes on.
~ Alyssa G.
- Take care of them? Why stop working because they are sick. Youre someone in their life they depend on. So when they need you, shouldn’t to be there?
~Ashlee M.
- Things we normally don’t do like 100% Apple juice (or any juice) and a little couch/TV time
~ Chelsea F.
- The mom actually stays home and works from home those days. Sometimes Im there though if he gets sick later and I make him rest drink water and either Ill read to him or hell read sometimes. Usually he just sleeps though. Sleep is the best medicine.
~ Desire B.
- Medicine (provided the parents request it), snuggles, movies and the B.R.A.T. diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea, toast).
~ Princess A.
As some of the commenters said, make sure you talk to the parents when a child is sick — before giving any medication or treatment.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
