'To the mums with kids who are constantly sick, I see you.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Theronomic

It's a predictable pattern. 

Every Thursday, like clockwork, your little one turns into a sniffly mess, and you know you'll be working from home tomorrow, managing meetings and a sick kid, while reluctantly cancelling weekend plans.

They'll miss swimming again, skip their friend's birthday party they've been talking about all week and your family barbeque plans are replaced by collapsing on the couch with takeout after the coughing sounds abate — wondering, could they finally be asleep?

There's no feeling quite as helpless as watching your usually bright, bubbly kid trudge around the house, zapped of their energy for life, inadvertently swallowing up yours.

From the all-consuming worry, to missing important deadlines and no longer remembering the last time you saw your bestie, the relentlessness of caring for sick kids cannot be overstated.

And this is all before you remember that within days, you're likely to catch whatever your kid has too.

These seven tips won't make it any easier to watch your little one battle yet another bug, but they might help you get through the next round with fewer tears (yours) and a bit more zen.

Help support their gut health.

Did you know that a healthy gut microbiome is the body's first line of immune defence? Yep, it turns out a happy tum can play a role in keeping your kiddo well. 

There is strong research to support the notion that probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics promote gut health. Take this 2021 study that found probiotics can enhance immunity, and this 2023 study confirming that prebiotics play a role in preventing metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and allergies. A 2021 review also suggests that lesser known "postbiotics" are particularly promising in improving gut microbiota health in the early stages of life. Talk about a triple threat. 

This is why options like Theronomic Kids Complete Care could be a great way to help give your little one the immune support they need.

It contains 12 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, C, D, calcium, magnesium and zinc, along with a unique blend of "tribiotics" — prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, our three gut health heroes.

Together, they work to support the immune system, respiratory health and optimal digestion, all while improving nutrient absorption in kids' tummies — which is crucial for their bones and overall development.

Plus, the supplement has been tried and tested, backed by 60 clinical trials and is listed with the TGA.

Strip it back to the essentials.

When my kid is sick, it doesn't matter how tired I am; I just know I'll be lucky to get even a few hours' sleep. And when I'm exhausted, I can tell you right now, my hair is not getting washed (a slick-back ponytail is my go-to), my plants aren't getting watered and you can forget about flossing. 

The thing is, skipping out on those things for a week really won't hurt (furry teeth aside). So go easy on yourself, remember to take care of the non-negotiables and then do the bare minimum when it comes to everything else. 

Get ahead of inevitable work stress.

When you're a parent, your child's health comes above all else. But when viruses are rolling in, one after another, the missed meetings and extended deadlines start to add up.

If you're working in a parenting team, it can help to alternate so both parents share the professional hits and sick days. And if you're flying solo, this is the time to say "yes" to every single offer of help, even if it's just to cover you for a few hours or to pick up some groceries.

It can also be helpful to discuss remote work or flexible work options with your boss. Workplaces are starting to recognise the need to better support working parents, and it benefits everyone when you have the chance to work in a way that suits you. 

Let them sleep as much as they need.

The best advice I've been given when it comes to sick kids is "forget the sleep training". Think about it, when we're sick, all we want to do is lie on the couch, bed or floor and just give up — and there's good reason for that — rest helps our bodies heal! 

So, when your little one is going through it, give them the best possible chance to heal by letting their bodies decide how much to rest.

Connect with people that can relate.

Even if it's just a text to your mum friends letting them know you're in the thick of it, every little piece of support helps.

When you're at home caring for a little one, it's only natural that you might start to feel isolated or trapped. Make sure you prioritise connection, and talk about how you're feeling with people who give you that safe space to unleash (cry).

Take things one step at a time.

If it all feels like too much, try separating things out and taking on just one small task at a time. If cooking dinner feels too hard, think of the easiest meal and break down the steps. 

Eggs and beans on toast is a real saviour in our house, so just start by popping some bread in the toaster and opening the baked beans. If that's as far as you get, no worries! If it's good enough for millions of Brits, it's good enough for you.

Be kind to yourself.

Fatigue, worry, stress and isolation — think about this combination for a minute and remember that you're human. You simply can't be expected to fire on all cylinders when things are falling apart around you, and no one puts as much pressure on you as you do.

Try to give yourself an endless supply of grace — you're not failing, no one is at their best when their kids aren't at theirs.

Buy Theronomic Kids Complete Care online.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Theronomic Kids Complete Care is the first product of its kind, providing a complete tribiotic, plus essential vitamins and minerals, that support childrens' immune health, and their growth and development.Combining probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, Complete Care's tribiotic formula features scientifically-proven strains that help support children's respiratory and immune health, while promoting gut balance.
Give your kids Complete Care - the building blocks for healthier guts, happier minds, and a stronger overall wellbeing.