Help!!

Sara - posted on 02/01/2009

Our experience has been the same as many or the other responses here.  The first year my oldest was in day care it seemed like he was sick all the time.  By the time he started school his immune system was built up better than the kids that didn't go to day care and he didn't get sick as oftern as some of the others in his class.  Very similar experience with my daughter, but we kept my son in day care part time when she was born and she was exposed through him before I went back to work.  The first few months of day care she was sick a lot, but now both of them only occassionally get sick.  Good luck!

Meredyth - posted on 02/01/2009

I don't know that holding off on school will help out much in the long term. Yeah, if she is not exposed to other kids and their germs now you may see a decrease in illnesses. But once she starts school again you'll more than likely be back at square 1. My son was 2 before he went to daycare and he stayed sick for what seemed like a year. Now that he has been exposed to most everything and has built up his immunity he is never sick (knock on wood!!). Encourage handwashing. The PK where my son is enrolled now had us send Clorox wipes and Germ-ex at the beginning of the year. His teacher is good about cleaning everything and making kids wash their hands. Dropping some of those types of supplies off at school may drop a hint to his teacher if she isn't already using them.

Andrea - posted on 02/01/2009

Oh - I forgot - Teach her to WASH HER HANDS all the time - after the bathroom, before eating, when she comes home from school, whenever she can get to a sink throughout the day! The germs carry on EVERYTHING - papers, pencils, bookbags, lunchboxes, you name it.

Andrea - posted on 02/01/2009

It is totally natural for this to happen and even if you waited, the same process would happen all over again. Its just one of those "growing pains" they have to go through for their immune system to adjust. When I first started teaching, it happened to me as well. When I quit smoking, the first year I was sick every month - its just her body adjusting and it will subside and she will get stronger because of it.

Jennifer - posted on 01/31/2009

I have three boys 10, 9, 9 and luckily all three have been very healthy from the moment they were born.  We had started daycare and they got colds almost immediately but only caught the really bad viruses until they started school.  Then, there was a whole new realm of germs.  Then, we started all over again.  Now, knock on wood, they hardly ever get sick; unless it's a really bad virus.  I truely believe that going to school and being exposed to the germs helps build the immune system as well.  You just have to get through, at least, one year; I think.  That's about how long it took mine....

Laura - posted on 01/31/2009

My daughter is 6 and in Kindergarten. She gets sick at least once a month. It's also hard for me, because I have 2 younger kids who also go to preschool! I went to the store and bought them all hand sanitizer to keep on their book bags or in them which ever they choose, and they can use it as much as they want. It has seemed to help, I also go through my house once a month and disinfect everything, toys, door nob, all bathroom fixtures, refridge, everything their hand can touch I disinfect! It really has seemed to help. Hope things get better for you. I know how hard it can be :)

Mindy - posted on 01/30/2009

Oh honey it is the same no matter where. I homeschool and my boys get just as sick as if they went to PS(public school) we still come in contact with other kids at church, the park, at basketball I just think that its normal and it helps build their immune system. just give them their daily vitamin and Vitamin C and Pray..

Audra - posted on 01/29/2009

Hi Tina- My son is 5yrs.old now, but when he was younger he got sick non-stop!! Everything from chest colds to the stomach flu. I had my own business when he was born & had my son at my sitter everyday ( she had about 3 other kids that she watched also,one was 2yrs.old at the time) that's probably why my son was sick all the time. It was until he was about 3yrs. when he slowed down with being sick. Now he is in his 2nd yr. of pre-school & rarely gets sick now. I just think whether they're exposed to germs from other kids when they are younger or when they get into school, it gets easier in a way where your little one probably won't get as sick as much when he gets into school. I would give them some type of vitamin/protein shake that would ward off some of those illness'. Good Luck to you!!!!

Sandy - posted on 01/25/2009

As much of a pain as it is, what's happening is your kids' immune systems are getting stronger. I felt like a horrid mom for the first 2 years of my oldest son's life because he was constantly sick and on antibiotics. I teach and bring home every germ there is. It was frustrating. Now, however, I am happy to say that my kids don't get sick near as often as their friends do. Hang in there! Sick kids are not easy, but it will get better!

Nicole - posted on 01/25/2009

my son always got sick untli recently, he was in daycare/ preschool to. i talk to the dr and asked if its normal, she said kids get 8 to 10 colds ayear b/c they are building thier amune sytstem. (sorry spelling isent a strong point) id give alot of vitamins make sure thier hands are washed.Does any of your kids have alleries? my son does! it could be the change of weather.

Rachel - posted on 01/24/2009

Quoting Jeana:

Welcome to the joys of parenthood. lol I have four in school and this winter so far we spent 2 months straight passing the flu around. Being around kids and germs help build up their immune system. My older kids don't get as sick as the younger ones. Kids have to go to school fact of life unless you want to home school them. One thing I wouldnt want to do.

My son started daycare when he was 20mo. old, he's 4 now - loves school and not as sick as when he first started. I truly believe being exposed to the germs helps build their immune system.  Also good hand washing techniques help.  I tell my son when he washes his hands to count to 20 then he's done - he gets so excited about both washing and counting!  Good luck.

Jeana - posted on 01/23/2009

Welcome to the joys of parenthood. lol I have four in school and this winter so far we spent 2 months straight passing the flu around. Being around kids and germs help build up their immune system. My older kids don't get as sick as the younger ones. Kids have to go to school fact of life unless you want to home school them. One thing I wouldnt want to do.

Kelly - posted on 01/22/2009

I had the same problem with my daughter. She was NEVER and I mean NEVER sick until she started preschool. I did talk to the teacher about how often the children wash their hands especially before and after eating. The teacher did seem offended but my daughter is not as sick and I know the teacher knows she is being monitored but some parents.

Melissa - posted on 01/21/2009

That is one of the down falls of school. I have a 10,6,2 and when one gets then we usually all get, but it comes every2 weeks someone gets sick. I have started as a chore for one of my kids is using bleach wipes on door knobs,light switches and anything that is common for every one to touch. This might help and might not. I do know that some winter years we are sicker than others. I hope this helps.

Crystal - posted on 01/21/2009

Hi Tina, Sorry to hear you want to take your daughter out of school. You will this problem throughout the school years. I have 3 children, 14, 12, 9 and they seem to catch everything at school. My best advice would be to teach her to keep her hands clean, keep them away from her mouth and stay out of other childrens faces. If she does get sick, try to keep her away from the baby. I hope this helps a little.