Ahh Choo!

A couple of years ago, I worked at a preschool. Spending a large chunk of time with little ones meant constantly blowing noses, holding hands, and washing/wiping down toys and surfaces. I found out just how challenging it is to stay healthy when interacting with kids during cold and flu season.

A few weeks ago my son battled a cold. Although my son’s growing vocabulary and pointing skills helped us meet his needs and wants, it also broke our hearts when we heard him say just how uncomfortable he was. At the peak of his cold, he’d wake up saying “no no no.” My husband and I gave sighs of relief when he switched back to repeating his usual “truck” and “train.”

It is never easy to take care of a sick child, but I would love to hear your tips and tricks for making the experience as comfortable as possible (for both parents and children).

Our strategy has always been to focus on sleep. We do whatever we can to help our son sleep as much as possible (this time it meant holding him while watching marathon sessions of the Winter Olympics and Netflix). When my husband and I tag-team, neither of us gets too sleep deprived or burnt out. And, best of all, it seems to improve the chances that we will stay cold-free.