Preschool and germs

MelissaMc22

well, my Jack starts preschool tomorrow morning. I feel bitter sweet about it. Happy that I get time with S, but sad because I will really miss him, even if it's just a couple of hours.

Anyways, another concern I have is germs. I am a bit of a a germaphobe and have always been able to sanitize when needed.(probably more than necessary) Eventhough he is a very healthy kid,I am really worried about all the nastiness he will bring home.

Did you notice your preschool getting sick often? What should I expect?

Thanks!

moroccojade

Yes, DD got sick a lot more once she started going to preschool.    It's unfortunate, but it's just how it goes. 

On a positive note...  I've heard that kids who go through preschool end up being sick less in kindergarten and grade school.  (When attendance matters more.)   This could be a big fat lie, but whenever DD gets sick I say to myself:  "She's building her immune system."  lol.

Mysterious_wife

he is a kid.  yes he is going to get germs at school and yes he is going to get sick.  My child stayed sick while in daycare. 

roseroseroseroserose

moroccojade:

Yes, DD got sick a lot more once she started going to preschool.    It's unfortunate, but it's just how it goes. 

On a positive note...  I've heard that kids who go through preschool end up being sick less in kindergarten and grade school.  (When attendance matters more.)   This could be a big fat lie, but whenever DD gets sick I say to myself:  "She's building her immune system."  lol.

This. He will get sick, but trust that his teachers are teaching good habits. He'll become more independent at hand washing, covering sneezes, etc.

Mrs.Hizzo

If it's his first time in that sort of a setting, yes, he's going to be sick more often. My two were sick a lot when they first started MDO. But pretty soon they build up their immune systems and it gets better.

It has to happen sometime. Our pediatrician always says, "You can pay now or pay later." I'm glad to have gotten the worst of it over with before they start kindergarten.

abpdjs

moroccojade:

Yes, DD got sick a lot more once she started going to preschool.    It's unfortunate, but it's just how it goes. 

On a positive note...  I've heard that kids who go through preschool end up being sick less in kindergarten and grade school.  (When attendance matters more.)   This could be a big fat lie, but whenever DD gets sick I say to myself:  "She's building her immune system."  lol.

this.  it comes with having kids......they get sick.  it's either now or later.

jenuine

Mrs.Hizzo:

It has to happen sometime. Our pediatrician always says, "You can pay now or pay later." I'm glad to have gotten the worst of it over with before they start kindergarten.

This exactly.

DD was really sick the first year at daycare (started at 6 months), but has gotten much better as she's gotten older. Check to see how often your school cleans desks, toys, hands (kids and teachers), etc. See what products they use. Ask to have sanitizer placed at the entry with a note asking all visitors/parents to  use it before they enter. We also use hand sanitizer the minute we get in the car to go home. We wash her hands with soap and water before she eats anything at home.

It all helps, but your LO will get sick, but it's a part of growing up. Unless you keep them home in a bubble for the rest of their life, they will need to develop an immune system at some point! Hang in there.

MrsAmers

My kids do get sick from daycare.  But the fact that everyone washes their hands every time they enter the classroom really, really helps.  We have gotten multiple notices about illnesses in the school (HFM, Roseola, H1N1, etc) that my kids have never come down with and I definitely think that the hand washing is a big part of that.

FWIW, I would suggest hand-washing and simple cleaning over "sanitizing".  It is important for our immune systems to have exposure to germs on a regular basis.  That is what builds up our immune system.

juniper19

Many researchers believe that the increase in allergies and autoimmune disorders is due to oversanitization.  You may be doing your child a disservice by avoiding germs.