Friday, August 17, 2012

There’s a bug among us


The average American school aged child contracts 7 to 10 colds a year. Their teachers aren’t surprised by this number. Due to decreasing funds, teachers have to buy their own sanitizing supplies and clean up the classroom. Teachers are already strapped for time and can only do so much in this area.



obtained from US Kids
As you and I know…our kids can be little germ bags and when you group a bunch of them together you get a petri dish of illness waiting to happen. Why am I spouting off about something we all know? Well, there are things we can do to help each other in preventing additional illnesses from entering our homes.

Just like with forgetting the school routine, kids forget those important things to do to prevent bugs. Below are some helpful tips on helping to keep the bugs at bay:

1)     Make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations.

2)    Remind them on how and when to wash their hands. If there is visible dirt they need to use soap and water. (A disinfectant is fine with no visible dirt) Making hand washing fun can lead to them doing it more often. Have them sing a song while they wash or use super bubbly soap. Hands should be lathered up for 15 seconds. (The perfect amount of time to sing a little ditty.)
 Peter Cade/Getty Images
3)    Have them bring their own pens, pencils, crayons etc. to school. Sharing these items can lead to the transfer of germs.

4)    It’s not being stingy to not share bugs…have them not share food, drinks, lip gloss, etc.

5)    Help them to build their immunity by making sure they have enough sleep, plenty of exercise, avoid stressors and eat a healthy diet.

6)    You could ask their teacher if they need additional disinfecting supplies or a hand in helping with clean up. Many teachers are now asking parents for help in cleaning up the classroom as opposed to classroom activities!

In addition to these tips, teach your children to sneeze or cough into the crook of their arm and not to touch their eyes, nose or mouth unless they’ve just washed their hands. And PLEASE don’t send your kids to school sick!! I know attendance is important, but not to the detriment of the rest of the class.

You might wonder why this is at the forefront of my mind right now (other than the fact of working in the hospital for years has made me a total germaphobe). The whole household has already gotten the first cold of the school year… Woo hoo!



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21 comments:

  1. Ohh thanks so much for these tips! I still have a little time before I have to worry too much, but it drives me crazy when people don't cough into their elbows and teach their kids to do the same!

    Stopping by from the Aloha Friday hop :) Newest follower via GFC! Hope you'll stop by next friday for my find + follow friday hop :D

    -Nicole @ http://meandthem00n.blogspot.com

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    1. Nicole,
      Thanks so much for following and stopping by! It's never too early to teach them....Hailey already insists on washing her hands before she eats! People just don't realize what a HUGE difference it makes.
      Anissa

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  2. Great tips, my mom used to also tell us never share hair brushes, hair clips etc. and never share drinks.

    Visiting from SITS

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    1. Thanks for stopping by...those are always good ideas as well!

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  3. Fantastic tips. Going into public places like the grocery store I always spray the cart down with home-made hand sanitizer before we get in.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by...I know, I always wipe it down. What do hand make you sanitizer with?
      Anissa

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    2. I meant...what do you make your hand sanitzer with?

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  4. Awesome tips here Anissa. My mother always told me if you feel a cold coming on don't go spend the night with my girlfriend because changing beds makes it worse, and believe it or not it REALLY does. I am now following you as well Anissa. I LOVE your blog too, it is sooooooo cute.
    God bless,
    Jody
    http://www.jodisjourney.net

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    1. Jody,
      Thanks so much for the awesome comment and following! It is true, if you don't sleep well and your body is already starting to fight a bug it makes it easier for the bug to latch on. I actually designed and built the blog myself...I've learned ALOT over the last couple months while building it (it's changed quite a bit along the way).
      Anissa

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  5. Great tips! Thanks so much for the follow. Following you back now as well :)

    Have a great day!
    http://thethriftinessmiss.blogspot.com/

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  6. Hi ~ Found you from Naptime Review! Fun blog and great information. Would love for you to stop by my blog at http://www.raising-reagan.com!

    Thanks!
    Lanaya

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  7. Thanks for stopping by It's My Life! Glad to have you. I came over and returned the favor. I am so thankful my Short Chic is able to spend the day at her Nana's therefore limiting our exposure to those bugs. We will probably get payback next year when she starts school!

    Pamela
    http://pammiej2002.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for stopping by as well...it's crazy all the places you can get them...the older ones get it from school, the littlest one gets it from the gym...eghad!

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  8. Hi there!

    I'm your newest follower via the GFC hop! I love your blog. And your latest post. I've considered giving my daughter airborne (once she starts going to school) What do you think about that? She's my first, so I don't know the protocol with keeping them healthy once they start going to school. Which is why this is such an awesome post!

    Btw I’m hosting an AWESOME giveaway at my blog right now for a $25.00 Forever 21 Gift Card and ad space with me. If you’re interested, swing by and check it and my blog out.

    http://beingreese.blogspot.com/2012/08/2500-forever-21-gift-card-ad-space_19.html

    -Reese

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    1. Reese,
      Thanks so much...I feel the most important thing with the kids is to make sure they sleep well, exercise and have a good healthy and varied diet (vitamins don't hurt as well). When they first start school they are going to get sick...there's no way to totally avoid it, but you can minimize it! Kids are usually pretty resiliant and healthy.
      I will hop on over to your site...
      Anissa

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  9. You made my day...Thanks Trish! I'm already working on it..
    Anissa

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  10. Thanks so much Melissa....I'm hoppin' on over right now!
    Anissa

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  11. Take care! Hope you all recover very soon!

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    1. Thank you...were workin' on it....tryin to keep Hailey as well as possible. Thank goodness for aerosolized saline spray (that's all I gotta say!). Of course mommy ended up with the worst of it...never fails.

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