Ebola? Enterovirus? How Can I Protect My Kids?

How CAN I protect my kids from enterovirus and ebola?!

 

Just as I was starting to get nervous about another bad winter here in the Northeast and getting my emergency supplies ready, now my area is getting hit with the enterovirus which has killed at least four children with a possible ebola epidemic lurking! HOW CAN I PROTECT MY KIDS?

Honestly, while ebola is so far only in Texas, my first concern is the enterovirus (EV-D68) which has, in fact, hit my state and which is causing our elementary school nurse to send kids home at the first sniffle. The enterovirus starts out like a common cold and can leave patients gasping for breath in a matter of hours (source: www.vanguardmedicalgroup.com). It's transmitted through bodily fluids when someone who is infected coughs, sneezes on, or touches another person or surface. There's no treatment for the virus itself and, according to my pediatrician, a doctor will treat the symptoms of the enterovirus which eventually clears up on its own. So what am I doing for my kids?

• They both have Purell on their backpacks which they use as soon as they get out of school and, in Lily's case, gymnastics.
• I'm reminding them to wash their hands constantly, especially my son, who is a nail biter.
• Obviously, they are to avoid hugging or sharing food with anyone who is sick.
• I'm constantly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces like light switches, door knobs, etc. Can you say Lysol?

The good news about EV-D68 is that according to the Centers For Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), enterovirus cases are expected to decrease as we get deeper into Fall. Here's a great graphic from the CDC on how you can keep your child from getting and spreading the enterovirus:

What a great graphic about the enterovirus!

Now, as for ebola, while the government is trying to avoid public panic, I'm less concerned about it until it hits my state. Still, I love this graphic which was posted on Twitter by Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson who is the first registered nurse in Congress: 

Not sure I believe the bottom part, but here are the facts about ebola.

So how can I protect my kids from this stuff? By not panicking, taking whatever sensible measures I can (like reminding them to wash their hands and disinfecting common objects in the house), and praying. Sometimes, that's all a parent can do. 

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5 Ways To Savor The Last Weeks Of Summer

Suck it up, Kids.  You're going!

As yet another Summer winds down, I'm in a last-minute dash to get some of my “Must-Dos” off my list. It's not going to be easy this week because Junior is down with a fever, but here's what's on my list and what you might want to do for the next two weeks before school starts:

1. Drag the kids to the pool as much as possible. Inevitably, the cool weather we're now having in the Northeast will subside and hot-hot weather will come back to this area, ironically enough, just as the town pool closes. Sure, the kids claim they're all “pooled out,” but once they see that “Closed For The Season” sign, they'll be wishing they'd gone more often.
   
   
2. See as many out-of-town friends as possible. Those are the people we won't be running into at the grocery store or local functions and we may not see them for quite a while once school begins.  Now is the time to have them visit.
   
   
    
   
   
    
3. Get the maximum use out of sandals, flip-flops and shorts. They won't be fitting the kids next year.
   
   
4. Sit out in the backyard and savor these warm evenings. It's already getting darker earlier in the evening and once school starts, there won't be any time to enjoy the lawn chairs and leaf-free grass. Do it now before you wind up packing the cushions and umbrella in for the Fall.
   
   
5. Greedily bite into the fruits of summer while they're still local. Watermelon, peaches, cherries, cantaloupe are especially delicious this season. Sure, I can get them “imported from Chile,” but why wait when they're harvested nearby?
   
   
    

The leaves are just beginning to turn colors and soon the pool bag will be put away and the backpacks taken out. Schedules will get tight as, once again, the seasons of our lives change. It's time to “seize the moment” and grab the last bits of Summer while we still can!

What are you going to do to savor the last moments of Summer? I'd really like to know! 

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Thanks for reading!  Enjoy the day!  

How To Choose The Right Backpack For Back-To-School

I just cleaned out my teen's backpack, or rather, what remained of his backpack because it looked like it had gone through a war zone. In some ways, it had. He'd lugged it on and off buses, through his large school, to friends' houses, etc. Like my purse or the car, it was an item he basically lived in throughout the 9 months of this past academic year. And even though it's only July, NOW is the time to start looking for a replacement, while the stores are full of them and choices are abundant. So what should one look for when buying a new backpack? Here are some guidelines and tips:

1. If your kid will be using a locker during the upcoming year, try to get a handle on how big and wide the locker will be. When my son started middle school, the backpack that had wheels on it that I'd bought at Walmart was too big to fit into his locker. He was mortified on that first day when he had to ask a teacher to store the backpack under her desk for the day. Now we only buy backpacks without wheels because they'll compress into lockers easily and are usually lighter.
   
   
2. Think about what the student will carry because this will effect how many compartments are needed. Will he/she be carrying a laptop, lunch box, etc.? How many binders are they likely to bring home? Backpacks with large, exterior pockets allow for easier access in crowded hallways and in the classroom. Multiple compartments also distribute the weight better. 
   
   
3. Choose a model made out of synthetic fabric which will last longer and be lighter than those made of leather. It should also have wide, padded, adjustable shoulder straps and a padded back. 
   
   
4. The choice of a backpack is a very individual decision. If at all possible, have the child try a few on. Again, they're going to be LIVING in their backpack during the year and need to be comfortable. Consider the wearer's height and weight; when filled a backpack should never weigh more than 15% of a child's weight. Also, models which are wider than your child's torso are not recommended. For safety reasons, they should rest against the curve of your child's back, but not be more than 4 inches above or below their waist. Thumb loops, a waist belt and sternum strap help prevent excessive shoulder pain. A backpack's shoulder-strap anchor points should rest 1 to 2 inches below the top of the shoulders. 
   
   
5. Check the quality of the models you're looking at. Sloppy stitching, loose threads, exposed fabric edges all indicate poor manufacturing. According to Consumer Reports, look for zippers that are protected by flaps because if they're not, water is likely to seep in. Double-headed zippers mean the zippers can be locked for security, which is especially important in the upper grades. Reflectors or reflective fabric add safety when the child is walking to/from school or the bus at dawn or dusk.

   

   How cute is this!

   
   

Review with your child how to carry and pack their backpack:

• Pack light and don't bring home unnecessary items. Organize the pack so that all compartments are used and the weight is distributed as evenly as possible. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the backpack. Place bigger books at the back and smaller ones in the front to make the backpack feel lighter. 
  
  
• Always use BOTH shoulder straps because slinging a pack over one shoulder strains muscles. 
  
  
• Tighten shoulder straps to fit closely to the body.

Oh, and consider popping a few Ziploc bags in your kid's backpack. They're great for protecting electronics in case of oopsies involving forgetfully open zippers, the inevitable rips, etc.

Remember: a backpack is crucial to your child's comfort and organization the upcoming year. Shop now, while you have time the inventory is plentiful. September is right around the corner!

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Sources used for this post included: http://www.wcch.org/sites/www_wcch_org/Uploads/files/Downloads/Backpack-Guide.pdf; http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/07/how-to-choose-a-backpack-for-back-to-school/index.htm; and http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Backpack-for-School.

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Thanks for reading!           

10 Things To Do Before The Kids Go Back To School

Although no one, except retailers, wants to think about the end of Summer, it's only 7 weeks until my kids go back to school. And there's still SO MUCH to do! Here's a list of things you might want to accomplish before sending the minions off with their backpacks to another year of higher education:

1. Make a list of places/activities you want to see/do before the Summer ends. These are things you will regret if they're not done. For us, there are some water-parks we want to visit, friends we need to see, etc.  Try to end the Summer with no regrets!
   
   
2. Buy bathing suits and Summer-related items now, while they're on sale. Stores are busy stocking up for Fall and Winter and you can get some great buys now. I know Diva is going to be at least one size larger next year (all bets are out on the Teen who might wind up being 8' tall by the end of August), so buying bathing suits in a Large is a no-brainer. 
   
   
3. Take inventory of your in-house school supplies. It's time for me to empty out the old backpacks and put away any supplies the kids have sent home. Then I'll take stock so I can replenish our School Supply Cabinet in anticipation of the coming year.
   
   
4. Evaluate backpacks and lunch sacs to see if the kids will need new ones. By September, the stores will probably be low on both, so seize the moment!
   
   
5. Make sure you've gotten any necessary doctors' visits in. I dropped the ball on this one and now the kids aren't getting their physicals until the second week after school starts. That's not altogether bad, since they'll be able to get their flu shots at the same time.  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Make a list of the projects you plan to accomplish in the Fall after they're in school. Mine include some painting, re-grouting, and a Momvacation Day at the beach.
   
   
7. Send musical instruments in for tuning and cleaning.  Every year while we're on vacation, we send Junior's woodwind instrument in for regular maintenance.  This way, come that first band practice, he's ready to go.
   
   
8. Check school websites for deadlines. The deadline to order Diva's school supplies through the PTA is coming up. Thank goodness I checked the website! Also, Junior has packets he needs done before the first day of high school. Funny how he never mentioned those. Similarly, sports forms are usually due in sometime during the Summer.  Stay on top of this now, so you don't have a sidelined kid in the Fall.
   
   
9. Start filling out your calendar for the Fall/Winter. Putting Back-To-School nights, etc., on the schedule now means you won't forget them when things get hectic in early September. 
   
   
10. Download some free planners at http://www.productiveflourishing.com/free-planners. This site lists all kinds of planners including ones to help you blog, monthly planners, productivity jumpstarters, etc. They can help you with all kinds of projects.
    
    
    Summer is moving all too quickly! Continue to make memories now and plan for the upcoming months. Parenting is hectic enough – get ahead of the game NOW! 

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