Editor’s note:Kara Alaimo serves as an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her newly released book, “Over the Influence:” examines how social media can be detrimental to women and girls, and outlines strategies for reclaiming it. The book was published by Alcove Press in 2024. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky.

CNN
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In the last month, there have been only three days when both of my children were able to go to school. By the time one recovers from a bug they caught, the other is already feeling unwell again.

Many parents can relate to this struggle. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors reported a surge in flu-like symptoms during the week ending February 1, marking the busiest period for such cases in 15 years.

For working parents, having children at home due to illness can often be incredibly challenging.

Many parents, including my husband who works as an emergency department physician, find it difficult to work remotely. He often covers shifts for colleagues facing family emergencies. I try to accommodate these requests whenever possible, despite the inconvenience for our family, in hopes they will reciprocate when our daughters are ill.

As a university professor, I frequently have the flexibility to work from home. However, balancing work responsibilities while caring for a sick child is no easy feat. Anticipating future situations like this, I consulted experts for strategies on how parents can manage caring for their ill children while juggling remote work obligations.

Dr. Michael Glazier, the chief medical officer at Florida-based Bluebird Kids Health, emphasized the importance of parental engagement for sick kids. Maintaining regular contact and reassurance can be difficult when parents are tied up in meetings or facing tight deadlines.

In such busy environments, “it can be beneficial to establish a schedule that outlines when meetings occur and when you’ll be available to check in,” he noted via email. “Children often respond well when they have a clear line of sight to their parents while working at home, reminding them that their parents are nearby.”

Glazier also advised providing children with “gentle activities to keep them engaged and distract them from their discomfort.” Stocking up on new toys or art projects can be a great way to keep them occupied on sick days.

To maintain your sanity, it’s crucial for parents to remind themselves that their current circumstance is temporary, according to New York-based licensed clinical social worker, Lauren Tetenbaum, who focuses on maternal mental health.

“Be kind to yourself and understand that if your child is unwell, today might not be your most productive day at work,” she advised. “Health should always come first, and if you exhaust yourself trying to accomplish everything perfectly, it could backfire by making you unwell too.”

Tetenbaum stressed the importance of seeking support from others. “Building a network of trusted adults who can assist when needed, even if your child is contagious, is vital. This support could come from a babysitter, a relative, or a neighbor or friend willing to help you out.”

As a mother of two elementary-aged children, Tetenbaum highlighted the necessity of avoiding the assumption that one parent, typically the mother, should be the default caregiver. “Active communication between partners about who is responsible for what on different days, especially if one parent has a more flexible schedule, is paramount.”

She also advised parents to practice self-compassion. “You are doing your best,” she concluded.

Personally, that sometimes involves allowing my daughters to watch extra screened material—such as suitable YouTube videos or educational content from PBS Kids.

When children do return to school, Glazier suggested several preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of them bringing home illnesses.

Keeping vaccinations up to date is essential; the American Academy of Pediatrics advocates that all children over six months receive the flu vaccine unless contraindicated for medical reasons.

Ensuring that children receive proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular exercise is also crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system. “A robust immune system will help both prevent infections and lessen their impact,” he explained.

He also recommended that children wash their hands frequently, especially before meals at school. Handwashing should last at least 20 seconds—approximately the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.

If washing hands before meals at school isn’t feasible, children should use hand sanitizer. (I’ve tucked a small bottle into my daughter’s backpack.) While hand sanitizer may not eliminate all germs, it certainly helps mitigate many of them.

Additionally, packing school lunches that can be eaten with utensils, rather than with hands, can minimize germ exposure. Glazier also suggested advising kids against sharing food with their classmates. While enforcing this may be a challenge, it’s a valuable strategy to help reduce the spread of germs.

If numerous classmates are unwell, Glazier recommended that children change their clothes and wash their hands as soon as they get home from school, even before hugs. This practice can help minimize the chances of transmitting illness to parents.

Caring for an ill child while managing work commitments is undoubtedly challenging. However, parents with the ability to work from home can adopt thoughtful approaches to ensure their children’s well-being when they are sick and educate them on hygiene practices for their return to school.