If
you have a little one at home who has just started kindergarten, chances are
you're caught in the cycle of runny noses, coughs, and other preschool
illnesses. No one is likely to find joy in this situation, especially when
returning to work after maternity or parental leave. So, what can you do about
it?
Every
parent is happy when their child is healthy, content, and comfortable. When
that's not the case, it drains the energy of everyone involved:
-
The child, who has to take syrups that often taste unpleasant, experiences
fever, wheezing, and overall discomfort.
-
The parents, who can't go to work and must take sick leave or vacation.
-
The employer, who expects the mother/father to be fully back at work after
parental leave and is disrupted by frequent absences due to a preschooler's
illnesses, needing to arrange replacements for the absent employee.
Another
challenge is that if you have two or more children, they tend to pass germs
between them, leading to an almost endless loop of doctor visits, figuring out
ways to administer medicine that the child refuses, and your supervisor's
dissatisfaction with having another sick child. All of this adds up to fatigue,
exhaustion, and a significant financial strain on the household.
Such
a situation is difficult for all parents, and the first signs of a child's
cough increase the pressure. It's a constant stress, fearing that the child
will fall ill again.
How do you avoid breaking down?
It's
crucial to realize that it's not your fault. Children grow, and when they go
through illnesses in kindergarten, their immunity strengthens, and they tend to
be less frequently sick in school.
If
your child is frequently ill, I recommend visiting a pediatrician who can
suggest over-the-counter medicines to support the child's immunity or refer you
to a pediatric allergist, as frequent illnesses may also be caused by
allergies.
It's
also important to ensure that children go to bed early, get enough sleep, rest
adequately, eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and consume
beverages such as water, tea, and fruit juices. Additionally, promoting
exercise, outdoor activities, and an overall healthy lifestyle is essential.
If
parents smoke, it is highly irresponsible to do so in the presence of small
children, as passive smoking (smoking near children) exposes them to 40
carcinogenic substances, contributing unintentionally to reduced immunity and
health problems in their children.
Energy
drinks, various types of cola, and fizzy beer or kofola are not suitable for
children's mouths and stomachs. If you want your children to be healthy, it's
also advisable to limit the amount of refined sugar in sweets that tempt
children from behind colorful packaging on store shelves.
Slicing
up their favorite fruit or adding their preferred nuts usually encourages
children to eat them.
Supplementing
children's diets with vitamins, such as vitamin D drops in the fall, winter,
and spring, vitamin C, or immune support supplements, especially during flu
season, is also advisable.
Dear
parents, to avoid collapsing from the perpetual cycle of children's illnesses,
it's crucial to take care of your own mental well-being and hygiene. Besides
caring for your children, make time for yourself, your interests, and spend
time with friends. We all need it from time to time, even when our children are
small. And when they are healthy, it's time to cultivate healthy friendships
with their peers and buddies.
Author: Mgr. Jitka Kneslová, psychologist at the online counseling MOJRA
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