The Golden Etiquette During Cold and Flu Season

home insemination Kit

I totally get it—germs are everywhere! Some days, I dream about living in a bubble or never stepping foot outside. But the reality is that my kids will encounter plenty of germs this fall and winter, and yes, they’re bound to get sick at some point. I’ve stocked up on tissues, and there’s a bucket under the sink, ready for those inevitable vomit episodes that seem to hit us each year.

My oldest is in elementary school, and he brings home a new virus almost every month. He often shares them with his younger sibling, who attends a toddler program and is no stranger to his own set of germs. Thankfully, my kids usually have strong immune systems and often bounce back quickly.

I’ve come to realize there’s not much I can do to prevent them from getting sick. I used to be the mom who carried a gallon of hand sanitizer and panicked at every sneeze, but I’ve let that go. I’ve raised the white flag to the wave of viruses that will inevitably invade my children’s bodies over the next few months.

However, there is one thing I’d like to address regarding germ-sharing that involves common courtesy and friendship. While school and public spaces are teeming with germs we can’t avoid, there’s a level of control we have when visiting each other’s homes. Our kids play closely together, after all.

So, dear fellow parents: I have a simple request, and I hope I can express it politely: PLEASE JUST TELL ME IF YOUR KID IS SICK!

You don’t need to go into detail about their illness, but I’d appreciate knowing if, for example, Timmy was throwing up two days ago. He might be fine now, but I might want to think twice if my kid’s birthday party is just around the corner, or if our long-awaited trip to Disneyland is tomorrow. And if Lily “only has a head cold,” I’d like to be informed because mild colds can escalate for my slightly asthmatic kids (nothing a few days on the nebulizer can’t fix, but still).

Let’s be open about what’s happening with our kids’ health. I don’t usually cancel plans over a runny nose, but if something important is coming up or if my kids have been sick recently, I might reconsider. And if your child has been vomiting recently—even if they seem better now—I’ll likely steer clear for a bit (I’ve learned the hard way that those germs linger longer than you’d think).

I promise to do the same for you. My youngest caught a cold just days before his birthday party, and even though he was on the mend, I made sure to inform each guest. It felt like the right thing to do. In return, one friend let me know her son had just developed a new cold and she planned to keep him home. Keeping communication open is key!

I understand that sometimes kids don’t appear sick when they arrive, only to come down with something while visiting. Or perhaps you thought your child had recovered, and then things took a turn. I know this isn’t a perfect system, but all I ask is that we keep each other updated, take precautions, and respect each other’s need to cancel plans when necessary.

Most of my mom friends are pretty good about this, but there have been times when the golden rule of communication was ignored, and let’s just say, I wasn’t too happy about it (hello, week-long flu!). I think the biggest culprits are those who don’t have kids or those who had them so long ago they forget how easily children catch bugs. They might not realize that what’s a minor cold for an adult can turn into an all-night snot fest for a little one.

So, let’s not stress too much over germs. It’s essential for kids to be exposed to various things to build their immune systems. However, let’s remember to practice good manners when it comes to making plans while we’re feeling under the weather. And if you’re looking for handy information on fertility treatments or home insemination, you can check out this link.

In conclusion, let’s keep the lines of communication open and be mindful of each other’s health during this cold and flu season. Whether you want to learn more about artificial insemination kits, you can visit this page, or even explore a different aspect of parenting at this site.