You Can Keep Your Plague, Thank You Very Much
You know that itchy, scratchy, not-quite-right feeling you get right before The Plague grabs hold of your senses and renders you useless for a few days? Me too!
Except that I don’t usually get The Plague. It’s really a very rare occurrence that I get sick at all.
It’s true. I can write about the fact that I almost never get sick and karma will not instantly shut me down with the flu or a hacking cough or whatever. I get that day of “GAH! I think I’m getting sick!” but I don’t actually get sick.
Neither does Alexis. I mean, she does get sick, but not nearly as often as other kids her age. So far in her two years of being school-aged, she has missed half a day of school because of illness. As the person who was responsible from peeling her off of the ceiling that day, I can tell you that she really wasn’t all that sick. I think she had that “I’m getting ill” feeling and didn’t know how to accurately describe it.
I’m willing to guess that it’s about 50% genetics that keeps us from becoming victims of whatever plague is going around, but I think there are things that we do in our day-to-day lives that help keep The Sicks at bay. If I had to put together a list of ways to avoid The Plague, here’s what I would say:
- Hands off, bugger off. I actually say that to Alexis sometimes. Hands are to stay away from faces, especially during cough and cold season. Keeping the little buggers away from your ears, nose, and mouth seriously does seem to help prevent sickness.
- Healthy foods, ahoy! Go eat three cupcakes. Tomorrow, eat three bananas. Tell me which day you feel better. We eat junk at my house, but in moderation.
- Catch your cough. We “catch coughs” in the crook of our elbow, not with our hands. That means the germs don’t end up on our hands, so we don’t pass them on to one another as easily. Also, a certain 7-year old has been known to fuss at other people to catch their coughs.
- A little dirt never hurt. Look, I know it’s good to sanitize and use anti-bacterial things, but we don’t get carried away at our house. We look like we live with two cats and two dogs, not with a team of maids. I truly think that it helps build a little immunity when your home environment isn’t perfect.
- Washa washa. That thing about a little dirt not hurting doesn’t mean the people in my house get to walk around with dirty hands. We wash hands before touching food, after using the bathroom, after touching anything questionable, and sometimes even more often. It’s not a frequency thing so much as it is a quality thing, though. Alexis was taught the proper way to wash her hands early on (hands slanted downward under the water, vigorous rubbing, warm water for at least 30 seconds, etc.).
I’m sure there are other things we do, but those are the main ones.
And now for the confessional part of this post – Alexis has a wicked cough right now. She’s practicing catching that cough entirely too much and it’s because some crud has settled into her lungs. She says doesn’t feel sick (she certainly hasn’t slowed down), but she has some stuff in there that needs to come out. We had a long talk about the fact that she has “snot in her lungs” and that she needs to cough so that it comes out, but we’re managing that process with a little help from our friends. To battle the crud, we’ve been using Children's Mucinex. It’s breaking down the “snot” (sorry, but she keeps calling it that instead of “mucus” so now I am, too). We are careful to follow the directions exactly, but it’s formulated especially for kids, so I’m comfortable giving it to her.
Mucinex and BlogHer have teamed up for a series about surviving cold and flu season and I will be participating all along the way. Next up, I’ll be revealing the secrets to keeping an Alexis happy when she is sick. Given that she’s really very bad at the whole sick thing, it is a bit of a challenge.
When your child has a bad cold, you both can feel miserable. Children's Mucinex is the #1 children's brand for relieving congestion* and provides fast acting relief from your child's worst cold symptoms. Try Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold if your child needs relief from stuffy nose and chest congestion. Always use Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold as directed. (*Based on IRI unit share data for the 52 weeks ending November 2012)
Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold is offering readers a $2.00 off coupon to use on your next purchase, you can retrieve your coupon here!
Before I reveal my secrets, though, what are yours? What things do you do with your kids to keep everyone sane when they are sick? Or, if you don’t have kids, how do you stay sane when down and out with The Plague? Answer in the comments for a chance to win a $100 CVS gift card.
No duplicate comments.
You may receive 1 total entry by leaving a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 2/6/2013 - 3/31/2013.
Be sure to visit the Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Reader Comments (173)
I pull out some activity books and occasionally resort to a movie or TV show.
Watching cartoons on TV.
coloring books/sticker books & watching TV in bed!
wendywynsma@gmail.com
well if I'm home feeling sick then I usually end up relaxing and catching up reading a book or magazines while enjoying some hot tea
We have used Children's Mucinex a few times in our home. It has really helped make my daughter to feel better. We usually watch alot of movies and snuggle while eating popsicles.
I take Emergen-C, drink plenty of fluids, and get plenty of rest.
I stay sane by cozying up with a book, or watching a movie and my grandma still makes me soup! :) gotta love her.
I use down time to catch up on movies and magazines.
ipad time - some games, some reading, some movies
I keep sane by taking naps and catching up on TV shows I've DVR'd.
Drawing paper, pencils and, if necessary, a bucket within reach!
Favorite treats, toys and movies.
I keep my kiddos sane by keeping them entertained. It's impossible to keep them in bed to rest, so I find ways they can enjoy the time while there like watching movies. Another thing they like is breakfast in bed. I have a little bed tray that I let them sit up and eat on.
I sleep a LOT and drink orange juice to try to get over it quickly!
Movies. Between Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime we can't go wrong!
Cuddling, watching movies and having ice cream :)
I would make a " nest " on the sofa and watch our favorite movies.
I use sick time as down time to catch up on tv shows
watching movies and peanut butter and marshmallows sandwiches.
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
my kids love to watch videos when they are under the weather! Thanks for a super giveaway!
coloring and watching tv
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
We found a product called "Cold Buster" that seems to help us get over things more quickly and ease the symptoms.
We like to sit and watch a movie and have gingerale and toast. Always works and helps!