I need hacks for not being constantly sick while having littles in school. We already do so much hand washing, bathing, disinfecting, laundry, and still the horrors persist. Pls save me 💗

Question

Lexie F · Answer

Astepro: In a masochistic manner, I track my illness + duration in a note on my phone. I still got my kid’s cold, but it lasted only five days instead of my usual 11-14 lingering symptoms.

Clare EQ · Answer

Wellness formula: I have a 2 year old in daycare. Yesterday started feeling the ole dreaded sniffle/sore throat, took the max recommended dose on the back, woke up feeling perfect. She’s that girl

Kari O · Answer

Zicam: The melts, the nasal spray, I swear by both. You have to be rigorous and follow the directions. But zinc works wonders and this is the best vehicle I have found.

Kari O · Answer

wellness formula: These are horse pills (they are enormous) but they sure do work. I also take the liquid remedy daily to stave of colds, etc. I’m a kindergarten teacher so I know what’s what.

Jennifer · Answer

Antibacterial soap: You might be doing this, but I always used just hand soap/mrs meyers type washes but when I switched to antibacterial, we stopped getting persistent sickness! 5 kids who play in The dirt so they still get plenty of good bacteria :P

Susan · Answer

Change your shirt...: You're probably already doing this, but our daily getting-home mantra was "Change your shirt and wash your hands!" literally the FIRST THING after we got in the door. Other people's children would happily cough on my child's clothes all day (how DARE they) and idk if this made much difference but maybe at least psychologically?? (and he made it to adulthood 😅)

darcy · Answer

Cold defender nasal spray: Can’t actually vouch for this because I haven’t tried it (yet!) but I have had this tab open on my phone since 2020. Worth a try?

Leah · Answer

TJ’s ginger juice drink mix: I feel your pain. I have a preschooler and 2nd grader and somehow only I am sick right now. It’s been bad every flu season since my first started school. was hoping this would be the year it finally stops but sadly no. Until then- this. Leared about it from Samin Nosrat’s podcast Home Cooking. Last year we had pinworms for 3 months (!!!!) that was awful

Liv · Answer

daily sinus rinse: THIS IS A MUST IN COLD AND FLU SEASON. Especially if you have kids in daycare. Saved my ass from 400 sinus infections. I just keep a jug of distilled water in my bathroom and do it room temp, takes some getting used to but a total lifesaver.

Piper · Answer

gargling (why is that the word): I have no kids and have not tried this LOL but I heard about the Japanese practice of gargling with salt water WHEN you get home and it makes sense to me because my parents swore by gargling with salt water (or vodka lol) when you started to get a sore throat. There is science! 💜