Don’t you hate it when your child gets sick? I know I hate it. All you want to do is magically make your child better. If there is anything you could do, you would do it. There is one thing you can do, you can change the rules.

The important thing is to make the right rule changes. This is especially important for your sick child’s food. This is not only because he may not be up to eating, but also because what you feed him can either help him feel better or make her feel worst.

Samantha came down with the chicken pox earlier this week. While she is still covered in dots and wanting extra sleep, she is thankfully eating and drinking better. But like any mother, I worried while she was not.

I didn’t just worry, I also acted, as any good mother would do. I did everything I could to give her what she needed from her food and drink. Here are the rule changes I made while she was sick, and how you can adapt them to your needs.

• Worry about liquid first. Dehydration can be a major concern when your little one is not feeling well. Give your child lots of water, milk, herbal tea, or even juice to keep the liquid in her. Just remember to watch for ingredients that dehydrate like caffeine.

• Don’t force food. Unlike liquids, your child can go without food for a few days without major issues. So let him refuse food if he wants.

• Make meals easy to eat. This could be giving your child something that is easy on the stomach, like whole grain bread, or something that is easy for her to chew – almost sip, like apple sauce and yogurt.

• Pack in the natural nutrients with fruit. While this might not be the best time for many veggies, fruits are great sources of nutrients that can help your child fight his sickness. So bring them on.

• Avoid acidic, fatty, and salty foods. Acidic and fatty foods can be hard on your little one’s stomach, while salty foods can lead to dehydration. So stay away from the tomatoes, and citrus as well as the fast food. Simple real food is the best.

• Don’t worry about the family dinner, just worry about giving your child the love and support she needs. That may be hands on with you by her side or hands off by creating a space for her to relax and get better. Either way, if she sleeps through your family meal, or can’t stand the sight of food at the moment, forcing the family dinner will do no good.