Each year, most of us have to cope with being sick with some sort of flu or cold virus. This is especially true of children and their parents. The classroom and school yard are hot beds of various viruses and odd ailments.

My niece, who just completed kindergarten, got every virus that there was to be caught. Many times visits had to be suspended for weeks at a time because she had something with a fever and green snot, which none of us wished to share in. She just seemed extra vulnerable to all the bugs that were floating around her school. Preventing your child from getting sick is impossible, but there are some steps that you can take that will lower their risk, especially at school.

Vitamins: Vitamin companies make taking vitamins that are just for kids and are much more fun to take than they use to be. You can now get vitamin gummies that taste somewhat like candy, so your child will be excited to take their vitamin every morning.

Flu Shot: This can sometimes be hit or miss since there are some many strains of the flu virus, but even an inoculation against the regular flu virus may be enough to protect your child against some of the illness floating about.

Hand Sanitizer: If your child is aloud to keep hand sanitizer in their desk then tell them that they should use it often; after the bathroom, after recess, after lunch or any other times. Alcohol free sanitizers are available as are fragrance free sanitizers, which would probably be best for a classroom setting.

Tonsil Check: Inflamed or faulty tonsils can actually weaken the immune system and welcome in more illness than usual. If you are concerned about the frequency of your child’s illnesses or see that the tonsils are inflamed then you should seek out a doctor’s opinion. You child may need his or her tonsils removed so that they won’t get sick more than other children.