My kids have all taken turns sharing a respiratory funk over the last few weeks that I was lucky enough to catch as well.  Of course that’s what happens when a sick toddler tries to put one of her boogers in your nose.

I was down and out for most of last week, and I swear I looked like Gweneth Paltrow in Contagion.

Someone said, ‘at least you can pull off Gweneth Paltrow,’ which let me know they obviously hadn’t seen the movie.

Now that we’re right in the peak of cold and flu season, most of us have fallen ill at least once thanks to a nasty virus or bacteria. I’m certainly not alone there.

While at the doctor’s office last week, I was amused by a poster for ‘Avoiding the Flu’ which featured helpful tips for staying well.  Posters of this nature do offer some sound advice, but when you have small children, you really need to be very specific when trying to teach them these wellness tips.  As a parent, you may also find that these suggestions may need to be tailored to suit your own needs.

General Tip #1: Wash your hands frequently, especially before preparing or eating food.

Specific Kid’s Tip #1: Not all water is the same. When your older brother is at the sink, it is best to wait your turn instead of soaping up your hands and rinsing them in the toilet.

General Tip #2: Most cold and flu germs enter your body through your mouth, nose or eyes. Therefore keep your hands off your face which should help prevent germs from entering your system.

Specific Kid’s Tip #2: Having your sibling pick your booger for you will prevent germs from spreading from your finger into your nose; however, it will not prevent your sibling’s germs from entering your system. Please use a tissue in this instance.

General Tip # 3:  Get a flu shot if your doctor recommends it. Although it isn’t a guarantee, getting a flu shot each year is one of the best ways to prevent the flu.

Specific Kid’s Tip #3:  While you are waiting to get your flu shot at the doctor’s office, try not to catch the flu by licking the glass door which is covered in flu-ridden fingerprints.  This defeats the purpose of our visit.

General Tip #4: Eat healthy!  Foods like fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants can help strengthen your immune system to keep you healthier.

Specific Kid’s Tip #4: Just because the United States Congress said pizza is a vegetable, doesn’t make it true.  Fruit snacks don’t count either. Eat your damn green beans.

General Tip #5:  Get plenty of sleep! Sufficient rest also helps the body function properly, and being well rested will further aid in your body being able to fight off illnesses.

Specific Kid’s Tip #5:  Go the f@ck to sleep!

There was also a suggestion to avoid sick people.  I suppose this means I either need to start home schooling or find bubbles for my kids to wear to school.  It is probably also going to further limit my already limited social calendar.

And if you’re a parent who catches a funk that your carrier monkeys brought home, remember, you get no sick time.  So rest when you can (turn on the babysitter-aka tv), drink lots of fluids (wine is a fluid, right?), and don’t worry about the laundry, dishes, etc.  They aren’t going anywhere!

What are your secrets for staying well?  Leave me a comment!