Grab these incredibly simple yet effective ways to keep your kids healthy even when germs are running rampant!
Do you have a love/hate relationship with back-to-school season like I do?
On one end, you’re super excited because the kids are back to having some solid structure – and you’ll have more free time to yourself. But on the other end, you’re dreading it because of the awful germs your kiddos will be exposed to.
Every time you turn around, your kiddo comes down with something else that’s making its rounds. By the time it runs through the entire family, you’re absolutely exhausted. You’re running on a crazy low amount of sleep, too much coffee, and no more patience.
I get it! Oh boy, do I get it.
This was the story of my life for as long as I could remember. One stinking sickness after another. I’ve got five boys, so can you imagine? If you’re a big family, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
But there’s GREAT news. 🙌
You don’t have to live this way anymore. I took matters into my own hands and we’re RARELY sick during and outside of back-to-school season. Even when we’ve been directly exposed to someone with the flu, stomach bug or even strep.
Let’s dig into the six ways you can keep your kids healthy as they head back to school so you’re not living in that vicious sickness cycle anymore.
I’m Talking To You Homeschooling Mommas Too
I understand that just because you homeschool, doesn’t mean your kids are home 24/7.
Homeschooling has been reimagined and honestly, I’m super impressed you take this responsibility on. I tried it for a season, and while I loved it, it wasn’t the right fit for our family.
I know how active homeschoolers can be. Most of them join in with public school sports, extracurricular activities and are involved in co-ops as well. A lot of these co-ops are set up classroom style, which means they’re exposed just as much as private or public schoolers.
So I hope you grab onto these holistic ways to keep your kids healthy as they head back to school.
Because let’s be real. It’s not just about the kids being surrounded by other kids. It’s also about the season of fall. Chilly weather is the breeding ground for germs to flourish and spread like wildfire.
Ready to dig in?
Here are the six ways to keep your kid healthy during the school year! 👇
1. Teach Proper Handwashing
Handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and warm water can drastically improve anyone’s health. Think about all the things we touch during the day. Then we grab a snack with our hands, like chips or fruit, and introduce all of that muck straight into our bodies.
Think about all the things your kiddos touch as they head back to school. Yikes!
A lot of sickness and bacteria actually come from shared restrooms. Kinda gross if you really think about it. This is why I teach my kids to use a paper towel to open the door after washing their hands as they leave the bathroom.
It’s also important to discuss when to wash their hands, like after sneezing, wiping their nose, coughing into their hands, using the restroom, before eating, etc. This goes tenfold when they head back to school!
2. Naturally Boost Their Immune System
This might seem obvious, but a lot of parents miss the mark when it comes to boosting their kid's immune systems naturally. They think of buying vitamin gummies (which are loaded with sugar and other scary ingredients) or upping the amount of fruit in their diets.
The fruit is a great choice, but your immune system needs more than that to fight the back-to-school nasties. It needs a boost of antioxidants and other specific superfoods like honey and spices to really build overall health.
This is where Organic Elderberry Syrup comes in.
This simple and ridiculously delicious syrup, taken once a day, does WONDERS for your health. It was the answer to my prayers and the main reason we’re rarely ever sick. When we do get sick, we just take the intensive dosage (on the bottle) and BAM, we’re over it in half the time.
This is my #1 recommendation for you and your kids to stay healthy even outside of back-to-school season.
3. Establish a Good Sleep Routine
A consistent bedtime is crucial for healthy kids – especially as they head back to school. Take a look at how much sleep your kids need at these ages:
- 1-2 years old: 11-12.5 hours of sleep
- 3-5 years old: 10.5-12.5 hours of sleep
- 6-7 years old: 10.5 hours of sleep minimum
- 7-13 years old: 10 hours of sleep minimum
- 14+ years old: 8-10 hours of sleep
Healthy levels of sleep allow your body the downtime it needs to improve your brain performance, mood, and immune health.
Not getting enough quality sleep raises the risk of sickness, diseases, and disorders – especially as they head back to school.
It’s not something to take lightly!
So don’t let your kids call the shots when it’s bedtime. Set some rules and establish a consistent routine they can carry way past back-to-school season. For younger kids, taking a hot bath or taking time to read can help them settle into their new routine a little smoother.
4. Give Them a Hearty Breakfast
Research shows people who eat breakfast take in more vitamins and nutrients throughout the day. This means something as simple as eating breakfast sets a precedent for your kid’s entire day! Other benefits include:
- Boosting mood
- Improving memory
- Decreasing inflammation
Eating breakfast also helps with energy levels and concentration – both things they need tons of when they go back to school.
It’s safe to say that the range of benefits contributes to your child's overall health, well-being and success. Encouraging healthy breakfast habits from an early age sets the foundation for a lifetime of good eating habits and optimal development.
Grab my favorite quick and healthy breakfast recipes here.
5. Eat Real, Whole Foods
A healthy diet is the bedrock of overall good health. And as they head back to school, making sure they’re well-fed helps improve their performance. Make sure your child is getting plenty of:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Healthy fats
- Protein
Where you can, choose organic. The amount of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides your child consumes directly contributes to gut and immune issues – making them more susceptible to back-to-school germs.
You can learn more about gut health and how it’s tied to your immune health here.
Check out my recipe blog where I give quick and easy immune-boosting recipes the entire family will love (from elderberry-baked oatmeal to homemade jam & mini cheesecakes).
6. Reduce Screen Time
Study after study has proven that too much screen time negatively affects our health. The impact is even greater on kids than adults because of their developing bodies.
When screen time isn’t associated with homework, it must be limited. This includes phones, watching tv, tablets, video games and computers.
Why? Because the light emitted from screens drastically reduces melatonin levels, making it more difficult to fall asleep. This, in turn, disrupts the body's circadian rhythm – affecting their back-to-school performance.
Kids who have boundaries when it comes to devices have been shown to do better in school and in relationships.
They may not like it, just like they probably won’t like bedtime, but that’s ok. You know what’s best for them in the long run, and eventually, this will become their new routine and you’ll all be happier about it!
What Kids REALLY Need From You
You care about your kid – back to school season or not – and that’s why you’re reading this article. To see how you can support their health and overall well-being.
First of all, you’re incredible. I just want you to know that. Not everyone cares as much as you do!
Second, even though all of these tips have completely transformed our family’s health, the most important thing they need from you is your LOVE.
“Let all that you do be done in LOVE.” - Corinthians 13:16
Remember, being loved and showing love is the greatest gift we can give.
So while you’re giving a daily dose of Organic Elderberry Syrup and setting that bedtime routine, make sure to include snuggles and words of affirmation. Or while you’re serving a delicious breakfast, take a minute to sit down and enjoy it together.
These moments go by way too fast. I want to encourage you to soak it all in. Because HAPPY kids are the healthiest kids out there!
I hope these easy tips help you and your family with the upcoming back-to-school season. A season full of good health, fun memories, and smiles & giggles galore!
💜 → Follow me at @elderberryqueen on Instagram to grab even more health and wellness tips.
