I both love and loathe this time of year. I love that my kids are excited to see their friends, make new ones, meet their teachers, and have a genuine enthusiasm to learn new things. But…I loathe that the passage of time is staring me squarely in the face, declaring…yes, your kids are growing up and moving on. Get used to it.
via: Back-to-School: On keeping your kids healthy and safe all year long | Confessions of a Dr. Mom.
Back to school, as I said in my last post signals “a new beginning” which is at best bittersweet.
Given my feelings and I am apparently not alone, there are things to keep in mind that may help keep your kids healthy and safe.
My first recommendation is to get enough sleep yourself and make sure your kids get on a back to school sleep schedule and stay on it.
- Sufficient sleep will help to keep your immune system in its finest form to help ward off the coming colds.
- Making sure that your kids are up to date on their yearly check-ups and their immunization schedule…I am in favor of vaccinations so no need to chastise me for this.
- Make sure all of your emergency medications are up to date at home…get rid of expired and near expired meds…make a kit with bandaids, antiseptics for cuts, cleansing cloths etc….keep it in a place that is easily reachable. You should also have one in the car.
Be aware of recommendations when it comes to OTC medications for children.
Be aware of your child’s symptoms and whether they are allergy symptoms or cold symptoms.
Check with your pediatrician if you are not sure.
As a parent or caregiver, you are in charge of your kids’ health. Now that it’s allergy season, your child may be experiencing symptoms from allergies or a common cold – that can strike year-round.
There are many over-the-counter options available to help make your child feel better when he or she has a cold or allergies, but be careful to only use a medicine that treats your child’s specific symptoms. Our “Decrypting Your Child’s Symptoms: Colds vs. Allergies” checklist can help you better understand your child’s symptoms and how to treat with care.
Last but not least, keep your child home from school if he/she is sick. If your child has a fever he should not return to school until 24 hours after he is fever free.