I want to be honest. My children haven’t been sick for four weeks now. So yes, they cough, their noses run here and there. But they were able to go to daycare. But the fact that I’m writing this down also means: they’ll be sick tomorrow. For sure. Because that’s how it is every time; As soon as I realize that the children haven’t been sick for a long time, a gastrointestinal virus is on the horizon. Or the flu, or a cough, or conjunctivitis.
Where long is also very subjective. When I tell my colleague that we haven’t been sick in a long time (yay!), she looks at me skeptically. But also full of admiration for my optimism, or, em, illusionism. Sometimes she doesn’t say anything. Sometimes you slip into “but what happened the week before last?” out.
That’s the way it is: Anyone who has small children in daycare knows that not being sick for two weeks in a row is the exception rather than the rule. You can do your work, everyday life runs smoothly. There may even be a little time left for yoga. And that’s why you quickly forget the terrible weeks before. Because they are really terrible weeks sometimes. A bad harbinger is the note in the daycare center “We have gastrointestinal problems!”. You already know that nothing good is going to happen. I still have a bit of hope that we will be spared this time. But no. At the latest (and exactly when you think “lucky!”), your stomach starts rumbling. Usually one of the children already has diarrhea. In a household with five people, you can now be sure that we will be busy with this for over ten days. Little by little it gets to everyone.
Unfortunately there is nothing you can do. Small children often get sick. They are in groups with up to 20 other small children at the daycare center. And if you then have two small children (or more), the exposure doubles. At least 40 contacts with small children every day. It’s actually a miracle that we even got there none have infection. Now you don’t have to run to the pediatrician every time a child has a runny nose. He usually sends you away with the instruction: “8-12 infections a year are normal”. It often helps to be vigilant – and yes, to have good reading material at home (Remember: Dr. Google is NOT your friend when it comes to illnesses). We have “When the snot runs and the fart pushes” on our shelves. And we look at it often: It’s actually the best gift for new parents, everyone should have this home. Because of course, you are often unsettled. What does it mean if…? Why …? Pediatrician Vitor Gatinho, known to many as Kids.Doc on Instagram, always has an answer for us.
The book is practically divided: depending on age and topic, you can quickly find answers. What we also really like: The book is not dogmatic, very true to life and sometimes even really funny! Above all, it can accompany you from the beginning. We are sure that the book will be a kind of universal encyclopedia, especially for first-time parents 🙂 By the way, you will not only find information about illnesses, but also a lot of tips for nutrition, care and even the emotional development of your child.
