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Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you a huge part of raising their kids is simply dealing with a revolving door of illnesses, bugs, scrapes, and knocks. From the first moment your little ones let loose at the local park to that heart-wrenching initial daycare drop, the combination of their exposure to factors you can’t control and their underdeveloped sense of self-preservation guarantees drama aplenty.
Having previously called upon Man of Many’s fathers to provide insight into their parenting styles while discussing our Brilliant Moments Kit, we’ve once again asked them to illuminate us, this time on the occasions they’ve helped their kids through sickness or injury. They’ve also shared helpful tips accrued along the way, not the least of which is having Children’s Panadol ready for pain and fever relief.
The Drama of Daycare
“Daycare, as every parent quickly learns, is basically a germ factory,” laughs Man of Many co-founder Frank Arthur to kick off our discussion. “Once it starts, you may as well accept that your calendar and sleep schedule will be at the mercy of every bug going around. My best advice is to roll with the punches. The vomit, fevers, rashes and coughs are all part of childhood, so we always keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet handy for those late-night temperature checks.”
The suggestion that a visit to daycare could at any point result in an unwanted outbreak at home triggers a round of sleep-deprived smiles and nods within the group.
“It’s also a case of being in a constant state of learning. My wife and I have been parenting for over a decade now, but when it comes to kids getting sick, we’re still learning as we go,” reveals John Guanzon, Man of Many’s head of creative & production. “With three kids in the house, it’s pretty much impossible to contain the spread of germs, no matter how many tissues, vitamins, or elbow coughs we enforce. As Frank said, sometimes all you can do is roll with it, prioritising human connection and cranking up the extra-long cuddles. One of my sons once said he likes getting sick because he gets to stay in bed, watch movies all day, and ‘everyone is extra nice’ to him… and honestly, fair point.”
Nits: The End of the World as We Know It
Alex Martinez, one of Man of Many’s sales experts, who has recently welcomed his second child, is all too familiar with the sense that it’s a roll of the dice every time you send the kids off to daycare.
“Frank’s right that daycare really is just a melting pot of kids sharing whatever sickness they have at the time,” he says. “I guess it’s something we all need to weather. Last month, Luna, who’s almost three, got the dreaded nits! It’s a rite of passage we’ve all been through and probably remember hazily from when we were kids.
“As soon as we spotted them, we went to buy the special shampoo and fine-tooth comb from the pharmacy, but to spare Luna the full horror of comprehending tiny parasites living in her hair, we opted for a little white lie, telling her there was just some dirt we needed to clean out. The full biology lesson can wait a few years.
“She hated the process, especially the part where she had to wear a shower cap while the treatment did its thing. To ease the ordeal, we set her up with Bluey on the TV and gently combed through her hair as she watched. It became a bit of a routine over several days, so we made sure to give her a heads-up each morning to mentally prepare her.”
While a doting parent will always be there for their child as much as is humanly possible, the sad truth is that sometimes the realities of the world get in the way, which can take an emotional toll on parent and child.
Presence Over Perfection
“My daughter is sick as we speak, so I’m balancing care for her with our usual demanding work schedule,” explains another key member of Man of Many’s sales team, Marcus Hurley.
“As a single father who co-parents, it’s difficult to be away from her when she is so unwell, but the flexibility of working from home empowers me to better keep on top of both parenting and work duties. Plus, I find the best way to care for her is just making sure I’m present as much as I can be, so even if I’m simultaneously working, being there for her makes all the difference.”
Putting Smiles Back on Faces
While watching your kids wrestle with health hurdles can be an agonising experience, a parent providing what comfort and relief they can in these moments is invaluable. And often, it’s the small things that make a big difference.
“In our house, remembering what makes the kids smile goes a long way,” says Frank. “For my eldest, a bowl of ice cream or a couple of lollies can turn a miserable afternoon into something bearable. For the little one, it’s an episode of Teletubbies and a stroll in the pram to get some fresh air. I find those small gestures do more than distract; they lift the mood and remind us that even sick days can hold bright moments. With patience, some humour, and all the cuddles they’ll tolerate, suddenly the sick day feels slightly less daunting for everyone involved.”
With younger kids, it can be hard to know what they’ll respond to, so even if all you can do is try to lighten the load by making them feel heard and letting them know they’re not alone in their struggle, you’re making a real difference. Then, as they get older, kids will start to let you know what works for them.
Slowing Down, Soup & Sleep
“What I’ve loved seeing is how each of my kids has developed their own rituals for comfort,” John explains. “My eldest has become obsessed with his diffuser; he even has a little scent ‘cheat sheet’ next to his bed, mixing lavender with eucalyptus or peppermint depending on how he’s feeling. I love watching him carefully set it up every night. It’s become his own form of bedtime self-care.
“Over the years, we’ve found that sick days in our house are less about rushing to fix things and more about slowing down. Kids are surprisingly resilient, so the sick days have been about creating space for extra kindness, warm soups, shared blankets, and yes, a movie marathon or two.”
As ever, maintaining hydration, maximising sleep, and having the right medication on hand can help to reduce the longevity and severity of symptoms that come with those daycare-dwelling nasties.
“If our kids are sick, we make sure they’re drinking water, always have tissues at the ready, and comfort them as much as possible,” Alex reveals. “Close proximity, soft toys, favourite foods within reason, and TV if it helps. There’s lots of debate around kids and TV, but sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.”
Providing Support When You Need It
A long-trusted source of support for parents, Children’s Panadol can help relieve pain, fever, and the discomfort associated with immunisation, earaches, cold and flu symptoms, teething, and headaches. It can start to reduce fever in 15 minutes and relieve pain fast. Plus, it’s gentle on little tummies, and Panadol Children 1 Month – 1 Year is suitable for kids from one month old.
With Strawberry and Orange flavours, Panadol Children 1-5 Years or 5-12 Years suspensions are ideal for fussy kids. They’re also colour-free and include an easy-to-dose syringe in the pack. Remember to always read the label and follow the directions for use.
When your kids are feeling less than their best, Children’s Panadol is your partner for pain and fever relief.
*Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Incorrect use could be harmful.
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