Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fall is here and flu season is on its way

I don't know about you, but the thought of getting the flu really makes me cringe.  Given that we have three children, it doesn't take long for one of us to get it, and then pass it to the next and the next, and well you get the picture.  This did happen a few years ago, and well I will be doing everything in my power to help keep us flu free this year. I would love to share some tips that I have found to really help in keeping our household happy and healthy.

First thing is so basic, but I just can't encourage it enough.  The one thing that we saw on our cruise were signs that hand washing for atleast 30 seconds with warm water.  I really encourage all of the children to take their time and wash their hands really well. 

Next thing that is to remember to keep sanitizer with your diaper bags, purse or vehicle.  While nothing replaces traditional hand washing, sanitizing when there is not an opportunity to wash also helps kill germs.   When shopping, touching shopping carts, door knobs and other commonly touched items can pass germs from one person to the next.

Another thing that I enforce in my home are strict bed times.  Keeping the children's bodies well rested will keep their immune system strong and will help them fight all of those germs that they are encountering at school.  This is actually a great recommendation that we all could work on.  I do get the children to bed at their appropriate times, but I can't say that I do the same for myself.  I really can be better about going to bed at an earlier and waking up at the same time every day. 

My last recommendation is to keep vitamins and oranges handy.  I really try to encourage the kids to eat an orange rather than drink the orange juice but either way they are getting the vitamin-c to help fight those cold and flu germs.  Not only do the kids get all of the basic vitamins and minerals that they aren't getting through their diets, but also they are getting and extra dose of the ones that they do.  It is a win-win all around!

Do you have any tips to keep your kids healthy?


I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.