As a mom, how can you stay healthy…when your kids are sick? If you’ve got one or more sniffling or sneezing children at home, staying healthy is likely your top priority. Here’s how to make sure that you stay strong, even if your kids are getting colds, stomach viruses, or other bacterial infections.
Watch Out for Germ Hot Spots
In the last year, every mom had a crash course in managing germs. If you haven’t visited the CDC site recently, do a quick refresher. You’ll find that the germ hot spots tend to be where toddlers and children like to play, touch, and hang out. The top danger spots to be aware of are:
- The Kitchen Sink. Sinks are known to be covered in germs and bacteria. If you have one place to store your wipes, this is it. Be sure to keep the sink area clean by scrubbing it with bleach and water at least two times a week.
- Playgrounds and Toys. Toys and playground equipment can be a germ magnet. Bring lots of wipes and sanitizer so you’re ready before, during, and after playtime.
- Grocery Carts. Watch out for grocery carts. Use hand sanitizer before and after shopping, to help keep yourself and your family safe.
Focus On Frequency
Notice what you, your partner, and your kids are touching. Most likely it will include things like the remote control, phone, refrigerator, microwave, and doorknobs. Make sure that everyone in the family uses the disinfectant to keep these surfaces clean.
Be extra vigilant when your child is sick, so you and your family won’t get coughs and sneezes as well. The CDC recommends frequent hand washing and sanitizing, as an important daily safety practice to protect your family.
Focus On Nutrition
As a mom, you know the importance of good nutrition. When you’ve got a sick one at home, it’s time to boost up and focus on prime nutrition. Focus on healthy fruits and vegetables.
Emphasize probiotic drinks to promote a healthy digestive system. A probiotic drink is not your average yogurt or kefir. This is tasty, ready-to-drink, and made with 50 billion probiotic cultures. Probiotic drinks have been found to promote overall health habits, lifestyle, and diet—all contributing to gut health.
As you focus on getting stellar nutrition, think of soups as your go-to solution. Vegetable soups are a terrific way to get your family to eat more vegetables. Think about seasonal soups such as all vegetable, lentil soups, and carrot-ginger soups. The classic soup is, of course, chicken soup. You can adapt this to include vegetables, noodles, or rice for a dose of comfort.
Practice Story Time (But At a Distance)
There’s nothing like a good story to soothe your child. If you’re looking for interesting reading for young children, Inuit Picture books will capture their attention. You can share engaging stories and take a mini-vacation to another culture.
While you’re reading, practice keeping a safe distance. It may seem odd or awkward, but you and your child will get familiar with maintaining a bit of distance during a sick period.
Use Hot Water
Perhaps you’ve switched to cold-water laundry as a way to help the environment. However, hot water is an important way to help you and your family stay healthy and safe during periods of illness. If you wash laundry in hot water, then you’ll destroy germs faster.
This simple tip can help your children have fewer sick days, as well as keep you and your family healthy while your child is sick. You’ll also want to be sure to practice a few other good habits to stay healthy when your child is sick, too.
For instance, be sure to wear gloves when handling linens and clothes from your sick child. Avoid touching your face while handling laundry. Scrub your hands after you’re handling linens. Wash the washing machine by running an empty load with bleach, and be sure to use hot water.
Fall In Love with Hand Sanitizer
If you’re fed up with getting sick every time your child gets a cold, you’re ready to become a fan of hand sanitizer. Sanitizers kill germs that soap just doesn’t handle. This is why you’ll want to stock up on little bottles to put in your purse, car, and briefcase.
Protect Your Family
The CDC guidelines advise avoiding crowded places and gatherings, choosing outdoor activities, and avoiding poorly ventilated places. Get your family involved and share best practices for wearing masks, using sanitizer, and staying healthy together. Use hot water for laundry.
The colder winter months are a hotbed for germs and bacteria, and it’s pretty common to come down with a bug during this time. But by following these seven tips, you can help make sure you and your family stay healthy all through the holidays!
p.s. Related posts:
Using Books to Encourage Your Children to Eat Healthy
Honey Lemon Ginger Tea to Beat Cold and Flu Season
6 Things to Do for Your Teeth to Keep Them Strong and Healthy
Healthy Living for Our Elders #AgingWell
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