Conquering Cold & Flu Season and Supporting Teachers with DonorsChoose.org

For many years we went about cold and flu season by dealing with things when, and if, the kids got sick, which is a big mistake. As time went on we realized trying to stay ahead of the germs was key. With one child that has asthma and another with bronchitis, it's extremely important to try to prevent sickness before it even begins. A simple cough can lead to an asthma attack or a flare-up that then requires hospital stays, treatments, and missing even more days of school.  There are many ways to prevent the spreading of germs in order to protect your little ones from getting sick altogether. While these are healthy habits to use all year long making sure we encourage these steps during cold and flu season can make for fewer sick days and more morning kisses. 

1. Wash Hands Frequently: Wash your hands with warm water for at least 20 seconds. Have your little ones sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice to help with timing. 

2. Disinfect Germ Hot Spots:  Use a disinfectant approved to kill cold & flu viruses, like Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, to wipe the surfaces touched most frequently, like doorknobs, light switches, faucets or toys. Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of germs including viruses that cause colds and flu and also kill Staph, E. Coli, Salmonella and Strep.

3. Do the Elbow Cough: Cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands to help prevent the spread of germs by touch. 

4. Follow Good Health Guidelines: Eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep to help boost your body’s ability to fight the effects of colds and flu.

Now let's be honest even with taking these steps sick days still happen. I remember when my oldest, King, started school and had his first sick day. What started out as a little cough slowly turned into a full-on flare up. Not only could he not concentrate at school because his cough would not go away but he wasn't getting enough sleep at night, his throat and chest began to hurt, and he was miserable. He ended having to do a few breathing treatments which lead to him missing days of school. Now, if you know King then you know he has autism and with him schedule is key. Back then missing two to three days of school meant another month of trying to get him readjusted to spending his days in school. Since we've started our routine of being proactive and getting ahead of the game for cold and flu season I've noticed that even when they do get sick it is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. We've already experienced our first sick day this year and I am proud to say WE SURVIVED! One big thing for us was making sure all the common areas and toys were disinfected using our Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Dad and I didn't get sick at all, which is a first, and the littles recovered at record speed. #momwin Now is the time when clean matters because it protects your family from the spread of nasty germs.

I believe it is equally important to make sure our little one's classrooms are also ahead of the game during cold and flu season. Join Clorox in supporting DonorsChoose.org, which allows teachers across America to create projects and request resources students need to enable first moments in their classrooms. To make a donation directly, visit DonorsChoose.org where teachers post requests for materials and experiences to enhance their classrooms. Anyone can choose a project to fund and by donating to a project with The Clorox Company dollar-for-dollar match offer, donors double the impact of their donation. Click here to read more on how you can participate in supporting DonorsChoose.org.

Do you remember your little ones first sick day? What sort of things does your family do in order to conquer cold and flu season? Share with us down below in the comments.  

disclosure: this post is sponsored but all thoughts and options are my own