How We Fight Cold + Flu Season
Does anyone else breathe a sigh of relief when you make it through the holidays without a major sickness knocking on your door? This time last year, we were at the Children’s Hospital with Kingsley for the second time in a month. Last year was rough. I took Bauer out of school for three months and forced the entire family into hibernation until the worst of cold and flu season had passed. When we did venture out to the store, I had to fight the desire to come home and burn all of our clothes carrying potential germs. Yeah, I was a little extreme.
We went into cold and flu season this year with stronger immune systems and a plan. And you know what? So far, it’s worked (knocks on wood, metal and every inanimate object within reach).
So what have we done and will continue to do until…oh I don’t know….summer?
1. Family Outing to Get Flu Shots
I figured I’d just lead with the most controversial action item in our plan. We’re big believers in vaccinations and so when the flu shot became available this past fall, we all lined up for it.
2. Daily Vitamin to Kickstart our Mornings
We all take one! And now that Kingsley is 2…she’s included in our morning ritual. Ask your doctor if they have a recommendation, but our girls are big fans of L’il Critters Gummy Vites. Basically, because they think they are getting gummy bears for breakfast.
3. A Happy Home is a Germ-Free Home
Whenever we have company, without fail we get the, “Is your home always this clean?”
Guilty. I’m a neat freak. And maybe an organized home is good enough for the warmer months, but in the midst of cold and flu season I need to know that the home is clean to sleep well at night. And that means disinfected and germ-free. Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner kills 99.9% germs. Look, I get it. I’m sitting here typing this diffusing essential oils and I love to use Thieves to wipe down my counters because the smell is delicious. But, last month Bauer came home from school after being thrown up on by a classmate. Yep, you read that correctly. We went on the flu-watch for 48 hours and I cleaned the house top to bottom with Pine-Sol, because I don’t have time to play around with norovirus. You can use Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner on hard, non-porous surfaces like counters, tubs, floors and more. It gets the job done. Go ahead and bookmark this link for an entire family of cold and flu fighting cleaning supplies.
4. It’s OK to be a Healthy Hermit
Invited over to a playdate? I have no problem asking the status of the child’s health first. Sorry if you think it’s rude, but I’ve watched my kid lie in an ICU bed thanks to a cold virus….so rude I shall be! In the same breath, in the words of T-Swift, I will never, ever, ever bring my children to school even remotely sick. It’s an easy way to be a decent human being and spare fellow-families from germs.
5. Break the Nose-Picking Habit
Good grief, was nose-picking added to our girls’ school curriculum this year? Because every time I turn around one of them is digging for diamonds. It’s out of control and I’m constantly teaching them to go to the bathroom, get a tissue and then WASH THEIR HANDS. I know that’s gross, but I make no apologies. As parents, it’s our responsibility to teach our tiny humans how to do simple things like: cover their mouth when coughing, don’t share drinks, etc.
What are you doing to keep your family healthy and happy in the new year? Sending you all big germ-free hugs and wishing you a disinfected home!
Thank you to The Home Depot and Clorox for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
Memories captured by Alea Moore Photography.