How to Prevent Germs from Spreading Between Siblings

You've got one kid down for the count. This simple trick will help prevent germs from spreading between siblings. Are you a germaphobe like me? Can we say it together?

Syllabification: germ·o·phobe
Pronunciation: /ˈjərməˌfōb/

THIS post is for you my friend.

So your child is sick and contagious, but not necessarily ill enough to be bedridden.

How do you prevent germs from spreading between siblings?

First, let's go over 3 basic steps...

1. Get your kids to wash their hands.

I can't stress this enough. It is crucial if you want to prevent germs from spreading. According to WebMD, About 80% of infectious diseases are spread by touch. Your kiddo needs to wash for at least 20-seconds or about the length of singing the ABC's. When the kids are sick, keep this top of mind by hanging a sheet of the ABC's up on the bathroom mirror.

In the blog post They will WANT to wash their hands: Budget friendly kids bathroom decor, one mom explains...

Having an attractive room may help get the kids in there but it is important to encourage those next steps of independence. It is crucial to stock it with everything they need to get the job done on their own. Little Pea loves the fun color of the Kandoo foaming hand soap and squealed with surprise when it came out pink! [ Read full post ]

Fancy foaming soap is a great way to keep kids washing their hands, especially when they are sick.

2. Wash YOUR hands.

Don't get so focused on your sick child, picking up tissues, and disinfecting the house that you forget to wash your own hands.

3. No sharing at snack or during meals.

My girls are always asking, "Can I have a sip of that?" Make sure your kids know there will be absolutely NO sharing of cups, silverware, or food.

Consider a Quarantine

One of the best ways to prevent germs from spreading between: quarantine your child. Ok, ok... you can't really imprison a sick child until they're better. Or can you? Here's the thing, it is all about how you present the situation.

Here's what you're going to need to pull this off:

An easy to set-up tent
Blankets
Pillow

Additional suggestions:

Picture books
Drawing supplies
Tablet (optional)

STEP 1: Set-up the tent inside the house. Add a few of your child's favorite blankets and a pillow.

Important Tip: Have your HEALTHY child help you set all of this up, because once the set-up is complete they will no longer be allowed in the tent area.

STEP 2: Go around the house and grab a few favorite picture books and toys.

I always like to include drawing supplies. When my girls are sick, drawing seems to really distract them well. We also include a container of Boogie Wipes with a small container for disposal, too. Their noses get so sore with tissues after awhile. Providing Boogie Wipes ensures she doesn't just start wiping her nose with the back of her hand!

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STEP 3: Tell the healthy kids they are not allowed in the tent. You may get a few minutes of this...

Coax her out with a treat or a special show. Be creative.

STEP 4: Explain to your sick child their special sick tent is ready. Let them know it is JUST for them, special, and for no one else. Get them all settled in with a good book, drawing pad, audio book or movie. Again, drawing is a default for my kids when they are sick. I highly recommend the website Art for Kids Hub for easy to follow drawing tutorials.

STEP 5: Make your little one feel special. Stop by often to provide snacks, drinks, activities, new books, and to empty their trash can.

It can feel impossible to prevent germs from spreading between siblings, but this is a fun and playful way to try to quarantine your child during a contagious period.

Hope your little one feels better soon!

P.S. This post is a part of the Happy Healthy Families Campaign with KSW Media. A big thanks to Boogie Wipes for sponsoring this post and today’s conversation. If you’d like to try Boogie Wipes, you can download a coupon here.

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