Ah, the cold and flu season—a time of year that can feel like an endless battle against germs. I understand the temptation to isolate yourself and your family from the outside world. However, with kids, it’s nearly impossible to avoid exposure to germs during the fall and winter months. Our children will inevitably catch something, and I’ve already prepared for the inevitable—tissues are stocked, and I have a bucket ready for those not-so-fun moments that come with illness.
My eldest is in elementary school and seems to bring home a new virus every month. His little brother, who is in a toddler program, is also exposed to his fair share of germs. Thankfully, both of my kids have resilient immune systems and generally bounce back quickly.
While I can’t control every germ they encounter, I’ve come to terms with the fact that a certain level of sickness is part of childhood. I used to be the overzealous mom, armed with hand sanitizer and anxious about every cough. Now, I’ve accepted that my kids will encounter various viruses, and it’s all part of their growth. However, there’s one aspect of this situation that I believe we can manage better—communication about illness.
So, fellow parents, here’s my respectful request: Please inform me if your child is unwell! It’s not necessary to go into graphic detail about their symptoms, but a heads-up if your child has been sick recently would be greatly appreciated. For instance, if your little one was throwing up just two days ago, I’d like to know before we plan a playdate. Similarly, if your child has a nagging cold, I’d prefer to be informed since my children can be more sensitive to illnesses.
Transparency is crucial, especially when our kids are going to be in close quarters. I don’t typically cancel plans for a runny nose, but if we have something significant coming up or if my kids have been sick lately, I might reconsider. And if your child has recently been sick with something contagious, even if they seem fine now, I’ll likely opt to stay home for a little while. Trust me, I’ve learned that those germs can linger longer than we think.
I strive to reciprocate this open dialogue. Recently, my youngest caught a cold just before his birthday celebration, and even though he was on the mend, I informed our guests about his condition. In return, a friend let me know that her son was coming down with a cold and would be staying home. This kind of mutual respect and understanding makes a big difference.
Of course, I understand that sometimes a child may seem fine when arriving at a gathering, only to feel worse later. Illness can be unpredictable, and I get that. All I’m asking for is a little honesty regarding our kids’ health so we can make informed decisions and adjust plans if necessary.
Most of my mom friends are good about this, but there have been moments when the golden rule of communication was overlooked—resulting in some frustrating weeks of illness. It’s particularly challenging when interacting with those who either don’t have kids or haven’t had them in a long time; they may forget how quickly children can catch illnesses.
Let’s try not to panic too much about germs. Kids need exposure to various bugs to help strengthen their immune systems. However, let’s remember to uphold good manners when it comes to planning activities during cold and flu season. For more insights on navigating parenting during tough times, check out this helpful blog post.
In summary, while germs are an unavoidable part of childhood, open communication about illness can go a long way in ensuring our kids stay healthy and our plans stay intact.
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