Winter Weather

With the temperatures quickly falling, this is the time of the year when parents are in an all-out war against the common cold. Children are coming home from childcare or school with the sneezes and the sniffles; parents need to know when it is appropriate for their children to stay home.
It is certainly a constant struggle balancing an ill child’s needs with job responsibilities and other daily commitments that adults must deal with. Of course, it is important to note, that sick children should be seen by a pediatrician. Below are some suggestions that should be used simply as a guide to help answer the age-old question: “My child is sick. What do I do?”

• Listen if your child says he does not feel well enough to go to school, especially if he is always eager to attend.
• If your child is sick at school and needs to come home, develop a back-up plan if you can’t pick her up within an hour.
• Stockpile a couple of sick days or vacation days in case you need to stay home with your child.
• When your child needs to be home, and you need to be at work, see if a friend or relative can be relied upon to watch the little one.
• Make sure your child has enough sleep, as it helps ward off illness and speeds recuperation.
• Dress your children adequately. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Clothing for children should consist of thermal long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
• Follow proper hygiene, such as frequent and thorough hand washing, sanitizing toys and doorknobs, etc.
• Inform your child’s teacher if you gave her any medication before school.
• Tell your child’s teacher if he is on a new diet or had eaten food that could cause stomach problems.

Don’t send your child to school if he has severe pain or a temperature above 100.5 degrees, or has any flu-like symptoms, such as vomiting, a sore throat and severe coughing. Other ailments, such as acute diarrhea, yellow eyes with discharge, infected, untreated skin patches, rapid breathing, skin lesions that are weeping or bleeding, and blood in the urine, calls for an immediate visit to a pediatrician.
And, never, ever send your child to school with over-the-counter medication without a doctor’s prescription and or prescription medication that has not been prescribed for the current illness. Staff will not be able to administer any medicine without up-to-date/current authorization.
Whether this winter brings severe storms, light dustings or just cold temperatures, I hope these tips will help keep your child safe, warm and healthy. And, perhaps, give you a little peace of mind.

**Reminder: it is important to note, that sick children should be seen by a pediatrician.