There is something truly magical about the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, and overnight trips can often help to strengthen that relationship.
For grandparents, getting ready for a sleepover with their grandchildren was kind of like having a head of state or other V.I.P. over. But when a grandchild has eczema, things are very different.
Do you worry that your kids will have a flare-up that will cause trouble for your parents? When your parents hug and kiss them, do you worry that they’ll sneeze?
Don’t be worried. It’s easy to spend the night with grandma and grandpa when your child has eczema or allergies. In fact, it’s not as hard as you might think.
There are a few things you can do to ensure the best overnight stay possible for everyone involved. These tips will help your parents feel less worried about their grandkids with eczema and allergies.
The Basics: How To Make A Great Overnight Stay Easy For Everyone
One of the biggest stressors for grandparents who have little ones with eczema and allergies is the last-minute rush of getting the kids ready for an overnight visit. If you’re able to, make sure you have all of the necessary items packed and ready ahead of time. It will make life easier for everyone involved when it’s time to go.
Here are some of the most important things you can do to help and think about when making plans:
Know what to expect when the kids visit grandma and grandpa. What kind of bedding should be used? Are there certain activities that you need to watch out for? If they’re having trouble sleeping, what can you do to help? Can they take some medication before bedtime? Is there anything you can do to help them relax? The more you know about the overnight stay, the better prepared you will be to deal with the unexpected.
Make sure your parents are aware of the situation. Tell your parents what to do when their little ones with eczema or allergies arrive at their house. Give them a quick run-down of how to handle everything from bedtime routines to bathroom procedures. Make sure they know what
Respect your parents’ personal space. This is going to be different for everyone. Some grandparents will have lots of space and room to spread out. Others might have a small living room or bedroom that is barely big enough for their grandchild. Regardless of how much space you’re given, make sure that you respect it.
Keep a separate room for the kids. This is not only for your parent’s sake. It’s also important for your kids to be able to rest completely and have a separate space to recover from their day.
A separate space also helps with the sleep issues that can occur with allergies. Make sure the room has a fresh, clean smell. This will help your kids feel more relaxed and less anxious.
Tell your parents what your kids need. If your parents have a separate room that’s not too far from theirs, that can work really well. It’s also important to make sure they’re aware of any food restrictions your kids may have. If you have kids with allergies, you’ll want to make sure they understand what kind of food your kids can eat. If your child is on medication, make sure to remind your parents to assist your child in taking it. You may also want to provide your kids with a humidifier. Even if your parents have an air conditioning unit, it’s important to have a humidifier.
The last thing you don’t want to do is make your parents feel like they’re living in a hospital.
Make sure your parents have an emergency plan. You don’t want to leave anyone in the dark when it comes to emergencies. Your parents need to know what to do if your child needs medical attention, whether it’s a simple allergy or something more serious. Your pediatrician can help you discuss what to do if there’s an emergency.
Plan an activity list that will entertain little ones during the night.
- Movie Night: Pop popcorn and watch their favorite movies.
- Go camping: Make S’mores over the campfire (aka cook stove)
- Animal Safari: Let kids bring plush animals to explore your home’s wildlife.
- Karaoke Dance Party Turn off the music an hour before night or they won’t sleep.
- Travel to Other Countries: Blindfold kids and have them point to a country. When they point, Google the other country to understand how people dress and talk. It’s also fun to dress up with kids.
- Game Night: Play board games. Bring out some old favorites. They’ll love playing your old games.
Conclusion
Your parents may not realize just how easy it is to get an overnight stay in your home with kids who have eczema and allergies. They need not worry. They can relax in their own home while your children stay with them.
Don’t forget to take a few minutes to break down the process for your folks so they can see the advantages as well. Be sure they are aware of the potential hazards of an overnight stay. Make sure they know that you will be there to help them through whatever difficulty they may encounter.
When your children come home, tell your children that their grandparents did a wonderful job taking care of them while you were away so that they would know how much they were loved and cared for in your absence. Of course they’ll be eagerly anticipating the next sleepover!