I have written occasionally about illness and the single parent because I do think that sickness in a single parent household can be a “bigger deal” than in one where there are two parents ready and available to help. When one child in a family of siblings get sick, it can also be tough figuring out how to make sure the healthy children get enough attention while tending to the ill one…
I know that when my children were much younger, the healthy kids tended to act up and either try to get away with things, or do whatever they could to get my attention when one of their “group” was ill. They just could not seem to help getting jealous of all the special attention that the sick one was getting regardless of the fact that the child had to be sick to get it! Even though I knew full well that the ill child needed my nurturing attention that just didn’t stop me from feeling a bit guilty when the others were acting out too.
As usual in the life of a single parent, it all comes down to balance and improvisation. You can try making the healthy children your “special helpers” or “nurses” and this might work with some kids. This also might be a good time to call in the grandparents and/or babysitters—maybe the healthy kids could spend the weekend at grandma’s house while you tend to the sick one? This way, they get to do something special, but you are there to do the nursing for the sick child. When my school-age kids were sick, everyone got new coloring books so that they could all color and do something new while I was tending to the sick child.
I do think that as a parent, if we keep our priorities straight while understanding what is going on for the “jealous” kids, we can send the message that the ill child needs care, but we are still there for the others too.
Also: When Kids are Sick with Different Illnesses
Do You Feel Guilty When You Get Sick?