Do you ever feel that your children are always sick? We have the solution.
by Connie Fitzmartin, "The Magical Mom"
Do you ever feel that your children are always sick? When my five children were babies and they became ill I always wanted to analyze the situation and figure out just when they caught something. An older, wiser mother told me that young children are going to get ill because their immune systems are very immature. She added that as a mother, it was my responsibility to build up that immune system so that they could develop into healthy adults.
So, I embraced the task and began working on little ways that would make a big difference in helping my children to be healthy. Here are my top five “magical” tips for healthy kids.
1. Give each child their own bottle of drinking water. Forego the colas, the sugary waters, and even the sugar filled fruit juices. Teach your children to drink water. Have a bottle or thermos for each child with their name or picture on it. Keep fresh, cold water in it and store in the door of the refrigerator. Whenever your child is thirsty, reach into the frig for a refreshing drink of water. Kids love having their own water bottles. Also, it’s much less expensive than other drinks.
2. Teach your children how to wash their hands. Teach them to wash their hands before and after meals. Show them how to use the soap and water, and dry with a towel. Make it fun. Teach them to sing a simple song, such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” while they are scrubbing in order to actually get the soap on their hands and clean them!
3. Use disinfectant spray liberally, especially during cold and flu season. When I asked my sister-in-law, a daycare director, how they kept illness away she told me that every night they sprayed everything with disinfectant spray. Be sure to spray doorknobs, telephones, and anywhere else that your child is constantly touching.
4. Drink orange juice. I have seen the power of orange juice in many healthy children. The vitamin C is crucial for building strong immunities. Have orange juice at mealtime and snack time. Freeze o.j. for delicious and healthy popsicles. When on the go, grab orange juice for a treat.
5. Have a regular family mealtime. Studies show that a consistent family mealtime yields healthier children. Columbia University discovered that children that had a regular family mealtime developed healthier habits. They were more likely to eat healthier food. They were more likely to grow into healthy and responsible citizens. Having a daily family mealtime is not only healthful but it’s fun and allows you to connect as a family.
Using these five tips will help you in your role as “immunity builder” for your children. And when the times of sickness do come, that’s when you can hold your baby and love him. It’s all part of being “Mom.”
