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It’s his second year of daycare and Scarlet is in first grade. Last year, it was Scarlet’s first year of elementary school and it was Des’ first year of daycare. We got hit so hard, that I’ve been dreading this fall and winter because of my memories. We had a glorious seven months of no illnesses during spring, summer and early fall. Then the sicknesses started. All four of us got hit with the worst cold I’ve ever had – three weeks of congestion, sleeplessness and coughing. For all four of us! And it was staggered that we didn’t all have it at once, so it was more like six weeks of someone still having that cold.
That was round one. Then Scarlet got a fever. Then Des did. Both have had other colds. Cassidy has had a sinus infection. We had a good few weeks, and then Scarlet got another cold. Now Des has it, and I’m afraid that Scarlet will get it back.
What I’ve learned in my second year of having two kids in daycare or school settings, is that it doesn’t have to be miserable. It doesn’t have to be fearful. Unfortunately, sickness is inevitable in a family of four in a New England winter. That much is true. However, we can talk about ways to stay healthy as best as we can, and to limit the severity of feeling so sick. We can talk about what to do when you’re better, and how to potentially avoid getting hit with the next round of illness.
How to avoid getting sick, as best as you can!
I know it’s not always easy to avoid the cold and flu, but there sure are ways to avoid getting every round:
1. Eat foods with lots of Vitamin C and take Zinc lozenges. I swear by them!
2. Wash those hands! Of course it’s the oldest trick in the book, but how many of us actually wash our hands for a good amount of time?
3. Eating proteins can help boost the immune system. And never forget your fruits and vegetables.
4. A nice mix of exercise AND good sleep does wonders for your body.
5. Sip that Bigelow tea! This is a must-have item in our house, for us and for guests. Drinking tea with lemon and honey feels incredible. Breathing in steam stimulates hair follicles in the nose to move out germs faster. Lemon can thin out your congestion, and honey is an antibacterial agent. I get my Bigelow at Walmart in the Tea section.
How to make the best of it, once sickness has hit!
1. Meditate. Yes, I really said that. Meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and can improve health and immune system functions too. Take deep breaths and focus on your breaths. If your mind wanders, return your focus to breathing. Think of your breath going through your body to every body part, from head to toes. Unclench your tension.
2. Indulge in a guilty pleasure. For me, it’s Hallmark movies. What’s it for you?
3. Talk with a loved one. You can feel very isolated when you’re sick. It heals the soul and body to talk and laugh again.
4. Rest, relaxation and re-hydration! These three are so important! Drink as much water as you can. Rest as much as you can. Relax to some good music or a good book or magazine. Let your body really heal with rest, relaxation and water.
5. Sip that Bigelow tea! Even though you’re already sick, tea is an age-old balm for sniffles, sneezes and congestion. Hot liquids can loosen congestion in the chest and sinuses, and ultimately clear up congestion and soothe you!
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I hope Des gets better soon. It stinks having sick kids 🙁 I love drinking different teas. It seems like there is a tea to help with almost everything. I usually have at least four different boxes of tea in my cabinet at all times.
We have a lot of tea here in Cassidy’s collection. I love how versatile it is.
Aww…I hope Des feels better soon and you all don’t pass it around again. I love sipping on Bigelow tea all year round, but I definitely stick with herbal teas during the cold/flu season! [client]
Thank you, Janet! I’m a little worried because we are all flying to Florida in a week and a half, so getting sick must not happen! I sent him to school today, so here’s hoping he’s on the mend.
I think you know we were all sick here for a few weeks off and on, so totally felt your pain reading this and thanks so much for the great tips, because I am pretty sure we will not escape the rest of this winter without more illness to befall us still!
That’s the thing. Even though we’ve been suffering since late October, I know that I won’t breathe a sigh of relief until April. Last year it was April. I’m counting on you, April.
March is so fickle. We always think sicknesses end in March but always that’s when my kids get the worst ones! It’s like the viruses know they’re dying so they get stronger first.
Aw feel better Des! We’re big tea drinkers here, and I agree that sickness is inevitable, so might as well coax it out with tea and other relaxing remedies.
Great perspective! Once I became ok with that fact, the colds and stomachaches stopped scaring me.. quite so much. They still scare me.
i hear you! we have been sick off and on. franco currently has a fever and ear infection. so we are right there with you! i drink a tea that’s part honey, part lavender.
Ugh, the ear infections. They can be nonstop sometimes.
Feel better, all!
Hoping Des is on the mend soon. Great tips for coping when you are suffering from the cold or flu. For me, a blanket, bed and eucalyptus oil does the trick.
That sounds fabulous just for any winter day! I’m going to try that!
Aw winter is always so brutal. I love hot tea when we are not feeling well and always with honey in it! Feel better Des!
I feel like it’s always a bit rough for me. I’m making the best of it by getting daily exercise with Athena, but some days are too cold even for that!
And the kid colds! Ugh.
I’m so sorry the little ones have been sick. Hope everyone is on the mend soon. I’ve had two home sick this week, as well. And we’ve been drinking some tea!
Ah, it’s the worst! And we have our upcoming annual Disney trip so it seems scary to think about snow and sickness postponing our trip. I can’t allow it!
I hope all of yours feel better fast.
I remember dreading the fall, when my oldest would get sick and pretty much stay sick (in one form or another) until spring. Ugh! We are big tea fans, and there are so many great varieties. Some like the sweeter ones, and others the simpler/green ones. Hallmark movie rock – I watched them all Christmas. I also enjoy a fire in the fireplace and good music.
The endless colds, or the cold after cold after cold situations are horrible. My friend just told me she got better after being sick for.. two months. Two. Months.
I’ve always liked tea, but this winter I’ve been getting really into it, with a little honey and in my favorite mug. We have one sore throat here (Gwen) and I’m hoping no one else gets it. Hope Des is on the mend soon!
Thank you! And I hope Gwen is on the mend too, and none of you get it.
We have Disney World next week so I’m nervous about any sickness.
Awwww, sending so many healthy healing vibes to little Des that he’s on the mend and totally in tip-top shape by the time you guys leave for your trip!! I know you’ve been looking forward to it!
Bryan was hit with something and called out sick today. I feel terrible. He’s like a lifeless zombie moving from one room to the next. Thankfully we only really have three rooms, but you get what I’m trying to say. He’s miserable. I’ll have to look for this tea–I swear by them this time of the year!
ha! Even walking from one room to one other room can look zombie-like. I shuffle when I’m sick. Or when I’m emotionally not feeling well. Like if I have a fight with Cassidy I’ll tell him I think I’m dying. Melodramatic, but it gets the point across!
I hope he feels better soon and that you all stay well! Tea is my go-to when I’m not feeling well, and I love that you suggest watching Hallmark movies as a way to cope with being sick 🙂
I’m not sick, but Des is. And I’m afraid of catching it. So I watched a whole Hallmark Christmas today just in case..
Ugh! Every member of my family is in varying stages of sick right now. I think we need some good doses of green tea and maybe a blow torch to burn all the germs up… Probably green tea would work better 🙂 Hope yours gets better soon!
haha, a blowtorch. Or a suit made out of bleach.
My friend had a funny status once. She has four kids and one had a stomach bug, meaning that maybe all six family members would. She said, “Burn it down. Burn the house down. We will rebuild.”
I love tea – I drink it even when I’m not sick 🙂
So does my husband! And he’s the healthiest person I know. Must be something to it.
You are seriously speaking my language! I am all about the tea. About to have my 3rd cup of the day. BOOM!
Is it caffeine-free? I hope NOT. I hope you’re bouncing all over the place.
Poor Des! I hope he feels better. I drink a lot of chamomile with honey when I’m sick — and lately, even when I’m not! I find snuggling under the covers with a movie or a really good book helps, or binging on Netflix. I did that last month when I had a fever for less than 24 hours (mysterious illness that came and left so quickly without a trace!)
How strange! Maybe it was your body fighting something off.
I never really had fevers after being a kid. I had the flu when I was 18 and that was it. Then right after I gave birth to Scarlet, I had a few. I blamed nursing. And while in labor with Des, I had one.
Hi Tamara, when you have small children winters seem like one long round of sickness and it’s not fun. Hand washing has to be up there near the top for helping reduce the chances of getting sick as does staying hydrated. Honey, lemon and grated ginger is the drink we turn to when sickness strikes, although we don’t get the tea here.
I hope your little one gets well soon and it’s not too bad a winter sickness wise.
xx
Thank you! I’m not sure it’s as bad as last year. They’re probably on par but different things. I really breathe a sigh of relief with spring comes. It makes a huge difference!
Great tips, Tamara!
Being sick is no bueno!! I wanted to start out 2016 all New Year, New and Improved Me, instead I was tired, kind of sick, and taking care of sickies. Every year I dread the school cooties. Last year wasn’t too bad, but then again I homeschooled last year. 😀
I hope everyone is feeling better.
XOXO
That seems like a big advantage with homeschooling! Although I guess if they say we’re building their immune system, I would love to believe “them.”
For all of November, we were all sick. Terrible month.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that the cold is not making its rounds and back again within your family. It sucks to be sick! Your prevention tips are spot on – love them. Haven’t tried any of the ‘when I’m sick’ tips, except for the tea. I love tea (and chicken soup) when I’m sick, unless I am THAT kind of sick – hahaha
Even when I’m sick to my stomach, I generally like apples. I have no idea why. But I’m grateful there’s at least one thing I can muster the strength to eat.
Chicken soup rocks.
I love a good cuppa – whether I’m sick or not. We did the flu last week. I’m the only one who didn’t vomit…here’s hoping it stays that way. Good luck with yours!
Wow.. THE flu? I didn’t even know vomit was involved with that one. I had it once and near fainting was involved, so I suppose anything is possible.
May the force be with you all.
No flu here, thank goodness! Good luck with all of the sickies, and I hope everyone feels better soon.
I’m glad to hear you’re all ok! I remember last year was a bad run for us all.
Sick again?! Boooo!
I love my tea – especially when I’m sick. I like to have mine with honey and lemon.
Thanks for sharing – wishing all of you good health for the remainder of the cold & flu season.
xoxo
You know, we were all sick through all of November and most of December. Since then it’s been the kids getting viruses here and there.
This is a nasty cold. Such a winter cold. Completely the epitome of toddler winter cold, complete with dry and chapped face.
Ugh I really hate flu season. I hope you all feel better now. During my class at work, I had to endure a bad cold and it was so tough talking almost non stop for 8 hours when my nose was barely working, lol. It was bad enough that I was working at night. True enough, rest and water are important. I am not religiously drinking tea though.
You just reminded me that I once was a substitute teacher during a particularly horrible cold or infection. Now that was fun. I just let them watch movies. They loved me.
Oh boy, I remember those days. Just one endless cycle of sickness. It does get better as the kids get older – I can’t even remember the last time anyone at my house had the flu (hope I didn’t just jinx myself)! We love Bigelow teas – although we need the caffeinated version. I usually buy the mixed box that has all the flavors!
That makes me feel better – that it gets better! I remember being sick as a kid, but having perfect attendance by 5th grade. So I remember that but just can’t wait to get there.
The mixed box sounds awesome.
I’m a firm believer in yoga, meditation followed by green tea — I have not been sick so far in 2016. Maybe that’s because last year was the Year of The Black Plague around here. My daughter has even been sneaking out of her room at night and doing yoga with me. I’ve not the heart to send her back to bed. I’m so grateful for continued good health this year. I just want to soak in gratitude these days.
Same here, but you remember that I had the Black Plague in 2015 and I’m so scared.
I’ll be taking Yoga when we get back from Disney. I’m kinda ok at meditation. I tend to have to bring it back a lot. My mind wanders.
Sneaking out of bed for Yoga is like sneaking a book and a flashlight under your covers.
The best kind of sneaking.
Ugh…we’re in the same boat over here and it’s no fun. Illness after illness after illness. I’m almost hoping that being stuck in the house with just us for 5 days will help to stop the spread and mutation. We can all dream right? Here’s hoping that you all get well soon!