Germ Central
Has anyone else noticed the lack of proper manners in kids these days? If not, walk through a school or talk to a mother of school aged kids who attend public schools.
Every single year my family battles colds, the flu and various other conditions that make their way around school.
Is really that difficult for parents to teach their children proper manners like covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze - and to do so with something OTHER than the hand that’s going to be handling common use items such as doorknobs or pencil sharpeners?
Granted, I may have done more harm to my kids by being overly clean and creating such a sterile environment, at least that’s what new studies are indicating. But still, shouldn’t kids be taught mutual respect for those around them?
Furthermore, what’s with schools having such strict attendance policies where kids can’t possibly stay home until they are fully recovered from an illness that may very well prevent further spread of little germies.
When I notice a child having such a poor display of manners as such, I want nothing more than to drag them by the ear to their parent and sneeze in the parents face.
Obviously something has tripped one of my triggers - right? I just returned from picking up one of my kiddos at school with a 102 degree temp when I’d just gotten him healthy from the last round of cold bug.
Sounds like Super Nanny needs to hold classes for parents and children of school age to instruct them on proper behavior when it comes to being sick and unhealthy.
Tags: cold, flu, illness, jo-frost, Parenting, school, sick, supernanny, teachers
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POSTED IN: Parenting
6 opinions for Germ Central
Eliza
Nov 14, 2006 at 5:48 am
Haha, you just hit a subject I could go on with forever today. As you already know I’ve been fighting with germs in my house now for three weeks, it is no fun. The first week my oldest daughter had it, gave it to me and the younger one. Once she was better, off to school she went. Notice I say “Once she was better.” Well she was healthy for one week, I say this because she came home last thursday sick again. UGH. What can I do, I can’t make the schools send home every sick child because I’m not there but someone should be. The parents should keep them home, it only takes a few minutes to look at your child and determine if they are sick. errr. Well, she missed school yesterday, it was horrible. Today I’m not sure if I want her to go, she says she’s fine and she looks it, except for the paleness from being so sick. I did talk with the teacher, apparently something has been going around in the class for about 3 weeks. UGH, I give, SuperNanny come help.
Gayla
Nov 15, 2006 at 9:41 am
Eliza - I am relieved to find that other parents feel the same way I do. I was beginning to think I was the only one out here complaining.
I sure wish there were something I could do to decrease my kids risk of catching everything under the sun.
If you find something before I do, Please share :)
Delphine
Nov 15, 2006 at 1:58 pm
hi Gayla!
Some background info: My oldest (boy 2001) just started K this year, but I do have two years nursery school experience under my belt!
I agree, parents should teach their children the proper way to cough in public, what to do when they sneeze, etc… BUT…
I think that is only part of the problem, I think we as parents need to step up our mommy (forget about nannies) rhetoric in the cold/flu season.
**Wash your hands a LOT, enough soap and long enough - rinse completely in warm/hot water.
**Eat lots of good foods, we call them “super hero foods” in our house - lots of soups with veggies, broth (my son loves to say this word) and BEANS! Every mommy MUST Own a slow-cooker!! It should be issued at the hospital with every baby hat & blankie set… and it should be on baby registries for real! Not to mention, well wishers could arrive with ziploc bags of food to give the new mommy!
**Hydrate non-stop!! Water, agua, de l’eau, mizu (teach them in different languages) that will keep them in the bathroom and keep the bathroom/wash hands cycle going!
I also am a big believer in garlic and onions! ok, now you’re thinking this woman has gone over the edge. I cook with LOTS of garlic & onion! It is my own personal theory that this not only helps with vampires but also with keeping colds away.
Just my 2 cents hope someone can get something out of this.
Eliza
Nov 17, 2006 at 9:00 am
;( guess what? What happens when one in the house has been sick for a while? lol. Well the baby girl of this household now has it. Ready to pull my hair out.
Gayla
Nov 17, 2006 at 11:17 am
My grandparents always swore by garlic and onions. I always said it keeps the germs away because it keeps the people WITH germs away LOL
I wish more parents took the time to educate their kids on proper manners and healthy acts.
Eliza - sorry to hear you’re still battling the colds/flu stuff. Hope it’s all out of the way before the holidays kick in.
Larry Heinz
Jul 24, 2007 at 1:46 pm
There are some great alcohol-free hand sanitizers that can be a huge help in fending off kids’ colds and flus when they’re in the classroom.
My personal favorite is a product called The Invisible Armor (www.theinvisiblearmor.net). It’s effective against most anything that the kids come in contact with, is non-toxic and one application protects them for four hours even with repeated hand washings (so a bottle really lasts).
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