It was the best of times and the worst of times.
Last year was the first time I experienced cold and flu season as a mom. Even with a flu shot, it was intense and I didn’t understand the waves that it would come in. My son would get sick, I would get sick, my husband would get sick, and then my mother who had come in to take care of us would get sick. One night last January, my husband and son were vomiting, and at the same time I was nursing a massive sinus headache. It was three in the morning and I remember looking around and crying. We got through it, but it was a wave. Also, it is awful seeing your little one sick and scared. It seemed like it began with the first fall sniffles and lasted until April! We heard the first year in daycare is the worst, so this year we know what to expect.
Staples in Our Household
As we’re getting prepared for the season we’ve got a few things covered.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere. I carry it in my purse and I put it on before eating in a public place. Obviously, washing the little one’s hands and making sure they have some concept of hand hygiene is so important. My son is a toddler. He’s learning about everything.
- A flexible plan about work. When the kiddo is sick, one of us has to stay home. We try to alternate and have a system. That being said, if one of us has a meeting or is presenting we have to be flexible.
- The good kind of tissue. Get the kind with the vitamin E. Thank me later.
- Vitamins. Maybe it’s a placebo but when I feel a cold coming on I go straight for orange juice and take my vitamins. One of my best friends got her degree in microbiology and she said a professor told her zinc and Vitamin C are the best defense. Is this hearsay? In cold and flu season I’ll take it.
- Good teas. There is nothing like tea when you are sick.
- A campy TV series to watch. When you are sick, you are already not in the best frame of mind. Find something fun to watch. Last winter I watched the entire first season of Riverdale. It was perfect. Could we sidebar and talk about the chemistry between Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse? Also the amazing alliteration of the phrase the Southside Serpents?
- A flu shot. Get one. Read the AAP statement on it. Get it for you. Get it for your littles. Get it for people who are getting chemo. Get it for the extremely elderly and immunocompromised. Protect the ones you love. Protect strangers. Herd immunity is a beautiful thing.
