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We're Surrounded: Keeping Parents Healthy In A House Full of Sick

11/3/2014

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Hmmm...is this the dirty crumpled up tissue, or the clean crumpled up tissue?  No!  Don't use your sleeve!

If I didn't want to admit we're in the throws of Fall, last night's daylight saving's time adjustment did the trick.  The trees are losing their leaves even faster, and now a coat is a MUST if leaving the house.  But as a parent, a coat also means pockets full of tissue.  Gross. 

Kids get sick.  It's just life.  If your kid is in daycare or school, they probably have been in some state of "sick" for some time already.  When I drop H off at daycare (more so when I pick her up), it's just a sea of smiling snotty faces. 

So here is a friendly reminder that our mom's knew what they were talking about, and some tried and true methods for keeping ourselves healthy this season. 

Wash your hands.  Stock up on a soap you like and use it.  Our hands are usually the ones holding the tissues and instructing them to "Blow!" but that also means we are in the trenches.  So wash up when ever you can.

Disinfect the hot zones.  Not all cleaners are created equal.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you should use a cleanser with an EPA registration number and the word disinfectant on the label.  Areas to be sure to clean regularly:
  • Door knobs
  • Sinks and counters and toilet handles
  • Refrigerator handles
  • Telephones, other devices, and remote controls
Laundry on hot wash.  If your clothes can survive a hot wash, put them through and let that water and some bleach (or color safe bleach) do the heavy hitting.  Disinfect the basin in between loads with an empty hot wash with bleach.  And again, wash your hands after loading - you were just handling the shirt your kid used for a tissue all day long. 

Tip from the Peditrician, as soon as your child comes home, they should change their clothes.  When H was starting daycare, our doctor suggested getting her out of the "contaminated" clothing as soon as possible.  It may result in more laundry (on hot), but it means school germs aren't mixing with the entire family. 

And some ideas that just feel good:
  • Buy some tea that you'll want to drink.  The warmth and fluid will both be good for you
  • Get your snugly pajamas out.  We all function better with more sleep.
  • Stock up on tissues
  • When in doubt, eat some chicken noodle soup. 

Authored by A Swift Doula




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