There’s nothing worse for a parent than a sick kid. A sick kid is usually a miserable kid and it makes you feel helpless; if only you could make them better! And I know I’d do anything to avoid a trip to the pediatrician’s office- I always leave feeling like a need a full-body Purell shower. Getting sick is part of childhood, and for an otherwise healthy child, the occasional virus or infection actually works to strengthen the immune system. Even so, you still want to do your best to keep your kids as healthy as you can. Here are some tips for keeping kids healthy:
- Teach them to wash their hands. Doctors and nurses agree that good handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Teach your children to wash their hands with warm water and soap, and keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in their backpacks.
- Teach them to avoid touching noses, mouths, and eyes. Those are the parts most likely to absorb germs and make them sick.
- Teach them to cover coughs and sneezes. Kids should cough and sneeze into their elbows to avoid spreading germs to other kids.
- Feed them a healthy diet. Make sure kids get enough of the important nutrients and vitamins. Consider supplements like vitamin C, probiotics, or a multi-vitamin to help boost the immune system.
- Make sure they get enough sleep. The necessary hours of sleep varies from age to age, but sleep is part of the body’s healing process.
- Make sure they exercise. Bike riding and sports are great!
- Make sure their immunizations are up to date. This includes a flu shot every year.
- Keep sick kids home from school. Keep other kids from getting sick.
- Teach your children not to share water bottles, food, and other personal items. This can help prevent the spread of germs.