Wintertime comes with its perks, am I right? A cozy fireplace, cute coats, family gatherings that lead to hugs and kisses… which spread RSV, which leads to days off. Days off are nice too. Especially when you get to lie in bed all day… and you can’t get up because you have the flu. But getting better is nice! When you can finally go to the park, and while you’re playing, you only have that deep cough left that keeps you thirsty all day long. Water is nice. Candy and desserts are nice too… until you have too much and you get sick again.
I think we all know healthy choices are the way to go when it comes to wintertime. Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can help build healthy habits in your child that keep you worry-free.
Shirts and tissues are two different things. Do you have a white streak on your shoulder after your sweet little baby hugs you? Me too. Is it cute? The hug is…. Let’s remind our children to stay cute and wipe their noses with tissues and to sneeze on not your face. These lifelong skills will encourage good hygiene habits, which in turn will prevent sicknesses and increase friendships.
McDonald’s and Taco Bell may be our neighbors, but Vitamin C is our friend. Just like we are kind to our friends, we are kind to our bodies. It’s nice to eat pancakes and sausage daily. It is kind to eat vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. We love to see bread and butter, beef and chicken stir-fry, and mixed berries with oranges. That shows how we value our bodies, minds, and the Earth! This world is full of amazing food. Use those spices to make sure your kid eats well now, so they are used to good food that is good for them. Remember, food is medicine (or it could be the opposite if you use it wrong)!
Soap represents the duality of man. A parent wants to hold onto their child, but also wants their child to like them. Soap, likewise, has the conflicting struggle to attach itself firmly and lovingly to germs while also wanting to be washed away with them, leading to its own destruction. It would be an act of duality to tell your child to wash their hands but not to teach and monitor them. You want your child to be healthy and to love you. Can both happen? Let’s test it and see. You must teach them to wash their hands for at least twenty seconds before and after eating, after coming from outside, after using the restroom, or after blowing their nose. Then you must tell them again. And again. Love without kindness is a lonely road to illness. Be kind and remind.
These are just a few things we need to remember when it comes to hygiene, wellness, and habits. The last thing to remember is the flu shot! This year’s flu is bad to the bones, so to protect yourself and the kids, everyone should get a flu shot. We’ll see you in class soon!
-Written by Asiya Bhura, School Director
