Sigh!
Make that siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh!
Spring has sprung in our neck of the woods, but instead of ushering in gentle breezes, colorful blossoms and the sweet sound of chirping cardinals, I’m dealing with high temperatures and a cacophony of coughs.
My kid has spring fever.
Literally.
I blame Mother Nature.
For starters my daughter suffers from allergies. Environmental stimulants, such as pollen and ragweed result in itchy, watery eyes, a running nose, and non-stop sneezing.
On top of that, she’s done with school. And by done I mean her ability to concentrate on schoolwork is nil since the mercury has hit 50 degrees.
The days are getting longer and her sleep pattern has been disrupted, which makes her irritable, and makes me even crabbier.
I shared my spring sighs with my daughter’s pediatrician last week and being the incredibly empathetic mother of five that she is, she leant me the shoulder I was looking for.
She gently reminded me that many kids struggle with health issues during the first season of the year and noted that maintaining routines is key for keeping kids on track.
For kids, who are affected by seasonal allergies or asthma, parents should be vigilant about having them take their medication. By keeping a set schedule you can severely reduce the chances that the change of seasons will cause in decline in your child’s health.
As for kids, who find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork now that the summer is just around the corner, my daughter’s pediatrician recommends that parents maintain the same schedule and bedtime routine. In addition, moms and dads should uphold the same expectations for homework and other household chores.
Not for nothing, but for as much as I feel horrible that my daughter is saddled with allergies, I still make her complete her chores each day.
Is that bad?
What do you do when spring fever hits? What are some of your spring sighs?
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