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What does the Sandwich Generation Granny Nanny do when dealing with the issues of caring for the elderly parents and babysitting grandchildren in the midst of cold and flu season? Can you tell that's where I'm at? So here are some suggestions I'm following that might help all you granny nannies and pappies as well:
- Books – My senior mom always has plenty of paperback books and books on tape and I just stocked up on those great Christian stories for the grand children – young AND teens and tweens. But if you are short on books for senior parents or grandkids, you might also be able to call your librarian, give them a list of 4-5 books, and ask if they could hold them for you at the desk. Then all you have to do is run in and grab them and run out. Many, if not most, will be wonderful to do this for you.
- TV – set up blankets, pillows, kleenex, water bottles, and their cuddly Webkinz stuffed tiger and panda animals on the couch or bed so the patient can enjoy one of the time-honored ways of whiling away sick time – watching TV. I try to always have some educational yet entertaining shows for the grandkids on my DVR. The younger ones love Max and Ruby, Magic Schoolbus, and Cyberchase. My older grandkids are more into Suite Life on Deck and Phineas and Ferb – NOT educational so I usually treat them like sugar – limited amounts. But for sick days, I am a little more generous.
- Netflix – I LOVE their option of unlimited online watching of many shows and movies including many family-friendly ones like Kipper and VegeTales for the younger crowd, and more Suite Life and Phineas for the older. They also have some great educational shows including Leap Frog DVDs for the grandkids and Bird specials that my senior mom would enjoy since she can't do gardening when she's ill but she can enjoy the cute birdies.
- Nourishing Foods – Chicken Noodle soup, waffles, other faves for sick days – I try to always have these on hand for any day, and especially for sick days.
- Lysol – I usually keep this on hand as well. I realized today I am out, so I've added that to my list to grab really quick when I run out for prescriptions later today. I use it to spray everywhere and keep germs "at bay." It really does seem to work as well as it claims and we've been using it for years.
- Motrin, Tylenol, Mucinex Cough Remedies for Kids and Granny Nannies, and Vitamin C – I keep plenty of these on hand for young AND old, just for emergencies – like the flu hitting unexpectedly.
Well, those are some of my Sandwich Generation granny nanny bag of tricks for sick days. I'm probably forgetting some and haven't learned others. Got any to share? We'd love to hear. 🙂
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