Keeping kids healthy is a top priority during cold and flu season. And with the H1N1 virus making the rounds, it's important to stress good health habits, such as handwashing and not sharing cups and utensils. But what to do when your kids are at school, and you aren't there to monitor them? And how do you keep siblings from sharing illnesses? Daphne Brogdon of Cool Mom asks, "How do you keep your kids healthy?"

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Showing the Latest of 10 Comments

BeingSuper
10 months ago
My hubby is a total freak when it comes to germ decontamination. When anyone in the house comes down with the tiniest sniffle, he buys a huge container of anti-bacterial wipes and follows everyone around wiping things down after they've touched them. He also has strict rules about what can and can't be touched when you're sick: No touching, TV remotes, phones etc. But his answer to every germ infestation is the wipes. It doesn't usually work with my kids. If one gets the bug, the other two follow shortly. But my husband hasn't been sick in over five years (knock on wood). @BeingSuper
 
Jojo
10 months ago
I happen to be sick right now with a cold. This hasn't happened since before my daughter was born over 17 months ago. For me it is always related to my stress-level and environment. My husband never gets sick. My kid and I rarely do. We don't use anti-bacterial wipes at all. We wash our hands several times per day. More importantly, we eat well. Probably even more importantly, I only have one (so far) and she does not go to daycare (or school).
 
Mindy
10 months ago
My favorite part about this episode is that I HAD THE SWINE FLU when I taped it. Honestly - I had been in bed all day and only got up to shower and get presentable for the camera. Just didn't know the horror that was brewing!
 
MeMyselfandMommy
10 months ago
My mom, my little brother, my step-dad, all had confirmed cases of H1N1. We had dinner with them about four days to their outbreak. Because, I had to have a shot of chemo, I was put on TAMIFUL as a precaution (FYI $50.00 a pop with insurance!). Thankfully when all of this went down, Moanna was in Maryland visiting Steve's parents. We ended up keeping her there an extra week in hopes of keeping her healthy. There are NO vacinations anywhere in our county. We're taking all of the precautions we should to protect Moanna from getting sick. I'm not willing to turn into a hyper active mom that is constantly spraying sanitizer on everything and everyone that walks into the house, nor will I put my child in a protective bubble. Plus, let's be real, before someone shows any signs of being sick, they are contagious. I can't get vacinated until the chemo is totally out of my system, but as soon as we can, we will vaccinate Moanna and my husband.
 
wndl
10 months ago
oh daphne, we're right there, right now! my nine yr old, zel, is a nail chewer, so her hands are always in her mouth AND she touches everything, everywhere! and then there's my 3 mo old, miss v, whom zel wants to hold and kiss all the time. the hamdemic hasn't hit the elementary school hard... yet, but there have been some kids out and i'm constantly telling zel to steer clear of those kids, because baby v mustn't get sick. the relentless "fingers!" to zel about keeping her hands out of her mouth is tiresome, but it's even more critical now that she break the habit. reminds me, i need to get some of that nail biter stuff!! like karen, we're not big worriers about colds/flu, but this year we've been trying to get into the peds to get shots, because of the baby and because of how much more contagious the hamdemic is. so far, no luck, but we're trying! my partner is on contract, so no sick leave is paid... can't afford to have her down and out for a couple weeks!
 
celestialmomma
10 months ago
It's so hard to stay healthy. Our five year old got the nasal H1N1 vaccine - our youngest was too little. Our youngest got the seasonal flu shot, our oldest was too low risk for the limited supply. I like Daphne's holding back the tide with the broom comment. No matter how often we wash hands, put on 'don't pick your nose and ruin your pretty nailpolish' piggypaint or douse the toys in vinegar (keeps them clean and even when rinsed - too yucky tasting for 14 month old to thoroughly enjoy), I find the girls beating the system. I just looked out the back window to see our five year old and a friend in long sleeves with fall jackets and hoodies up and I noticed that they were both sitting in the sandbox barefoot. Freezing red toes! Sigh!!!
 
marymoran
10 months ago
This may help: The kids at my child's school learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow at school with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always covered with my hands. But I went to the website and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don't!! Kids can touch 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference. There is also an entertaining DVD that teaches them in a fun way the elbow cough, as well as other important hygiene habits.
 
jessilee
10 months ago
We have 3 children, 9,8, and 3. We are our own petri dish over here. We wipe surfaces and wash hands frequently but the kids share a room, toys, ect. We just do the best we can and when our youngest was an infant and one of the older kids got sick, it was don't touch the baby, don't kiss the baby, don't touch his toys. At the end of the day when one of us gets sick, be it kid or adult, we prepare for all of us to get it. Thus far it's held true. In fact I'm usually the last which is good because I can take care of the sick family, but bad because then everyone else feels fine and ready to party while I'm dying in bed. I'm currently battling the most recent cold having had all the kids and my husband have it and recovered first.
 
Carita
10 months ago
During the flu season, I always try to remember the stuff I'd most likely forget. Stuff like doing extra wipe downs of; banisters, light switches, door knobs, refrigerator handles, remotes. I make it a point to remember that the toothbrushes must be replaced after illness, despite how cute they are, etc. etc. At the same time, I basically take the same attitude as Karen in regard to cold and flu season. It seems that H1N1 is still the flu- it doesn't seem to be the black plague that the media made it out to be. I know plenty of people who have had it and are over it. I was really convinced I needed to ship my kid to grandma's during her first year of life when my husband and I got sick, but the doctor reminded me that babies do need some of those germs (even the icky ones) so they can fight them the next time. If I had to be definite, I'd say Rex will be fine.
 
JonahClint
2 months ago
While they are under my direct supervision, I take care that they respect all the rules of a good personal hygiene, that they eat healthy foods with no cholesterol and I am sure that I've taught them well enough how to care about their health themselves. While they are at school, I trust in the school's sanitation system and try not to constantly worry about it.
 

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