26. Working with a Sick Kid at Home - Part 1: What to do ahead of time to prepare for a sick kid

The referenced article has been updated since this episode was recorded, and I highly recommend checking it out here & reading tip 1 – all about how to proactively divvy up sick kid backup time with your partner if you have one.

When your child gets sick and still needs to stay home, everything—from your meetings to your sleep—can feel like it unravels. In this two-part series, I’m sharing practical, doable ways to reduce stress when your kid is sick and you're still trying to work. In this first episode, we’re focusing on what you can do ahead of time to make those inevitable sick days easier.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought:

• “What can I do now to make this less stressful later?”

• “I can’t keep having my whole week fall apart when someone gets a fever.”

• “I need a better backup plan… but I don’t know where to start.”

We’ll cover:

1. Stocking up smartly – what medications, supplies, and even comfort food to have on hand before illness hits (plus a tip for actually remembering to do it!)

2. Childcare contingency plans – how to proactively explore your options, ask the right questions, and line up sitters or backup help before you need it

3. The sibling question – should you keep sick and healthy kids separate or just let the germs fly? What that decision means for your stress levels and timeline

4. Your baseline matters – why your “normal” workload needs to be realistic before sick days show up, and how a system like the Bright Method can help

5. Creating emotional reserves – how things like sleep, caffeine, and alcohol affect your ability to manage curveballs—and how I’ve started protecting my energy

Whether you’re in the thick of cold and flu season or just want to be better prepared this year, this episode will help you set yourself up for a little more calm, even on chaotic days.

🎧 In Part 2, we’ll talk about what to do on the actual day when your kid is home sick and you're trying to juggle work—so be sure to tune in to that next!

And if you want to read the full article this episode is based on, here's the full article these two episodes are based on.

Episode 9 is the episode I mention on the Year of Ease.

 

Here are links for free covid tests if you want to stop up:

• Federal government
• Minnesota for those who live here, too! For others, check if your state has its own program! Note: The federal government free tests seems like a one-time offer while the MN one is a pack each month. If you're in MN or have a similar state program, use that calendar to remind yourself each month to order more!

Links you might enjoy:

• 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm.

• 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time.

• ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.