Back to normal

I find that one of the hardest times in parenting are those days when your child has been sick but is now recovered. Despite relief that they are now better and you can GET OUT OF THE HOUSE (!), these days can be difficult because you have let so much go whilst they've been ill and they expect it to carry on.

I'll explain. Chloe has just been ill with an ear infection. When she gets these she also has a high temperature which can make her sick as well. She is really up for nothing more than lying on a sofa when she is at her poorliest. This means waaaay more tv than we would usually allow. Also playing games on mummy's phone. Being read endless stories. Eating whatever she likes and not having to sit at the table. She can turn down dinner and still nibble on toast. She can have tantrums about going to the toilet or wanting to be carried upstairs. She gets away with a lot! But that's part of being ill and most of the time she doesn't think about her behaviour because she is so ill.

When Chloe returns to full health it often feels like we have taken several steps backwards. She will have been happy to eat what was put in front of her before being ill, but suddenly she is Miss Picky. And she will have forgotten how to entertain herself and instead moan about wanting the tv on.

I am interested to know if other parents find the same thing. It can be difficult to judge when a child is feeling well enough to return to old standards of behaviour. And how much to let them get away with when they are ill. It's hard to be consistent when there are two sets of rules. I'm hoping as the children get older they will understand this better! Today, I am happy that there will be no vomit or snotty noses to clean :)