Let's face it.... boys are gross :) I can say it 'cause Im a mamma of two very active boys :) Well... I suppose kids in general are gross..... hehehe....
With back to school around the corner, I wanted to share 3 of the tips and tricks I have up my sleeve which seems to keep our family healthy and happy during the school year.
Last year was Jonathan's first year of school and I was terrified of all the potential sick days and infections he'd come home with as a child who never went to daycare and was new to school and crowd germs. Surprisingly he was sick VERY LITTLE for our first year. I can attest them to these......
MEALTIME VISUAL ROUTINES
This is a trick right out of the Autism world BUT IT WORKS! I have one of these taped to the lid of both of my boys' lunch bags and it reminds them about HAND WASHING before their snacks and mealtimes as well as to have their HEALTHY FOODS FIRST. In case the teachers forget or are not on top of it (as I can imagine it would be difficult with 25+ kids!)... this keeps my little one reminded and on track. Yes, he actually follows it!!! And I remind and ask him every day if he did it.... There are days when he comes home with his TREATS because he says he was too full or "didn't have enough time" after his healthy snacks and lunch. This is how I know its working :) No more sick kids... No more full lunches coming come and thank goodness no more open and part full milk cartons in the backpack :)
PAPER TOWEL PLACE MAT
I was leary about how clean the kids' desks and lunch tables were at school, so with each lunch I fold and place a Bounty paper towel and put it on top of the lunch in the bag. My boys know to use this to place down on their desk BEFORE they eat their lunch and to eat on top of it. Its quick, sanitary and disposable!
HAND-WASHING AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME!
That just it! As soon as we come into the door, ALL of our hands get washed. And that's from anywhere really. Before the kids start eating snacks and spreading germs all over our home toys, those hands get washed. PERIOD. It works!!
Happy back to school everyone and hope these tips help keep your family healthy this year!
Connie Berenguer
Life With A Baby York Region North Community Manager &
Mom to Jonathan age 6 and Marco age 3
