How to Cope with Quarantine Fatigue

You and your family may have been under “stay at home” orders since the middle of March 2020. Hopefully, you have all been washing your hands correctly (and often), and maintaining at least six feet of distance between you and the other people while grocery shopping. You followed the recommendation to wear cloth masks when you are outside. The goal is to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since then, some people have started feeling what is being called quarantine fatigue. According to psychotherapist Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, quarantine fatigue stems from that emotional exhaustion the COVID-19 pandemic has placed … Continue reading →

CDC Recommends Kids 2 and Older Wear Cloth Face Masks

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children who are two-years-old and older wear cloth face masks. It may not be easy, at first, to get little ones to wear the cloth face masks. But there are things parents can do to make the masks less scary. CDC says: Children 2 years and older should wear a cloth face covering their nose and mouth when in the community setting. This is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) social distancing, frequent hand cleaning and other … Continue reading →

Anti-Vaccination Mom Changed Mind After Her 3 Kids Got Sick

Vaccinations prevent people from catching dangerous diseases. Vaccines also can help stop the spread of a disease. There are schools that require students to have their vaccinations before the student can attend school. A mom who was anti-vaccinations has changed her mind after her three children got sick. Kristen O’Meara has three daughters, all of whom are under the age of seven. She chose not to vaccinate her daughters because she was a big believer in anti-vaccination research. O’Meara said she actively sought out anti-vaccination research and books and presumed that they were accurate. Anti-vaccination research has been proven flawed. … Continue reading →

Things to Know About the Measles Outbreak

If you’ve spent any time at all on Facebook or Twitter lately, you’ve undoubtedly come across a multitude of people talking about measles. Some people are more tactful about sharing their views about vaccinations than others. No matter what your personal viewpoint happens to be, there are some things you should know about the measles outbreak. There is a measles outbreak going on. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that there were at least 102 reported cases of measles in 14 states as of February 1, 2015. CDC Director Tom Frieden warns that the United States could see a … Continue reading →

Unvaccinated Children May be Suspended from School

There is something new that parents may want to consider as they prepare their child for the upcoming school year. Some schools are suspending children who are unvaccinated. The purpose is to stop the spread of preventable childhood diseases. Parents who live in states that allow exemptions for vaccines can still make that choice. However, they should be aware that the exemption will not override the school’s right to protect students from the spread of diseases that can be prevented by vaccinations. Vaccines prevent diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) point out that some diseases, like polio … Continue reading →

Print This! Vaccination Schedule for Children

Wondering what shots you can expect at your child’s next well visit or check up? Here is a list of the most common vaccinations given along with the recommended ages of when children should receive them. It is a vaccination schedule you can print and take with you to your pediatrician’s office. While most children will follow this shot schedule, keep in mind that your individual child’s health profile may require different guidelines for vaccination. You may have the option to combine vaccines or have them administered separately. This information is taken from www.cdc.gov/vaccines/chedules/index.html. Hepatitis B Three inoculations Birth 1-2 … Continue reading →

Time to Get Your Flu Shot

I am a big believer in flu shots. Every year, I sign myself, my kids and my husband up for this important inoculation. While last year was one of the mildest flu seasons on record, don’t expect the same for this year. Two new flu strains have emerged, and fortunately, this year’s vaccine is ready to get you protected. While a flu shot is now recommended for almost everyone over the age of six months, studies show that many people are still reluctant to get their. In fact only about 52 percent of children and just 39 percent of adults … Continue reading →

Fitting in Fitness

This year is the first year that I have all three kids in school. My youngest just started kindergarten. My oldest just started middle school. Because of the different start times and end times, I have about a two-and-a-half hour window with no kids at all in the house. (I do have to visit the bus stop five times a day, but that is another story.) The first week, I wasn’t sure what I would do with myself. The freedom! I had dreams of being able to take a shower without being interrupted, or reading part of a book or … Continue reading →

What to Do When You Start to Feel a Cold Coming

Now that summer is at an end, we have some new things to look forward to, such as crisp fall evenings, the holiday season and colds. As much as we wanted to forget all about them during the summer, the fact is that the germs and viruses will be hanging around our bodies and our homes very soon. Here are some measures that you can take to try to kill the cold in its tracks when you start to feel the first symptoms. Start Drinking When that tell-tale tickle in your throat appears, start to increase your intake of water … Continue reading →

Here Comes the Vaccine Patch

Does your heart break every time you bring your little one in for a vaccine? Soon you may be able to skip the needles altogether, along with the screams and the mommy (or daddy) guilt. Several research companies are working on alternatives to the normal vaccine delivery by needle. One of the most promising products consists of a gel patch that parents would receive in the mail. Once received in the mail, the parent would apply the patch to a little one’s back, where it will deliver the vaccine painlessly before dissolving. It does pierce the skin through a series … Continue reading →