Arguably, the best part of the year is still ahead of us. We’ve arrived at the ‘bers! And football season, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the holidays — and some cooler weather? — are all around the corner. But this can be one of the trickiest times of year to be a mom and manage the needs of your household.
If you’ve got a preschooler like me, you’ll know that germs are rife, and sickness is an inevitable part of life now we are “back to school.” Even if your kids are older, cold and flu season — or an ill-timed stomach flu — can knock your whole household for six.
In San Antonio, we might not have to stock our pantries for hurricane season, but we do have our own storms to weather. With that in mind, I’ve put together a survival kit list for the months ahead. I know that buying all this stuff at once is expensive, but it’s definitely worth grabbing an item whenever you shop, so you’ve got the whole grab bag ready when you need it.
1. A Well-Stocked Medical Kit
If you’ve got little ones like I have, the list of medicines they can take is not very long. Kids Tylenol and Motrin are the core of your supply, so make sure you have those on hand. In addition, you’ll want a good thermometer (I like this Braun in-ear thermometer) and a stash of whatever covers or cleaners you need to be able to use it properly.
For school-aged kids, keep a box ready to go with pain relievers, age-appropriate cold and flu medicines, and cough medicine. If your kiddo is on any prescription medication, make sure you have a good enough supply — and ensure that the pharmacy has enough refills on file so they aren’t contacting your busy MD for more when you really need them.
Band-Aids, hot and cold packs, larger bandages, and an antiseptic cream like Neosporin should also be on-hand for inevitable playground bumps and scrapes.
2. Preventives
Prevention is better than cure, and even if we can’t avoid catching every bug going, we can give our kids immune systems a bit of a boost. Multivitamins for kids are widely available, but I’d recommend an Elderberry syrup or gummy (whichever is best for your kids age and stage) which are easily available in HEB and other pharmacies.
Annual flu vaccines can also be helpful, especially if you or your child have a condition like asthma that puts you at higher risk of complications from cold and flu. It won’t necessarily stop you from getting sick, but it will mean you are hit less hard.
3. Allergy Medicine
Cedar Season may not hit until late November or December, but for those of us (me included) that struggle through allergy season, ensuring that you have a plan — and allergy medicines — on hand is a must.
Kids versions of antihistamines like Zyrtec, Xyzal and Claritin are widely available, as are the child-equivalents of nasal sprays like Flonase. If your child struggles with allergies, speak to their pediatrician about how best to manage their symptoms, and what you can do to keep them comfortable
Seeing an allergy specialist may not be possible, but it’s possible to benefit from low-dose immunotherapy at home. Allergena offers a kids version of their allergy drops (alcohol free) which target the main tree, grass, and weed allergens in our zone. Start these now to help get through the coming cedar (and oak) seasons.
4. Humidifier
It’s hard to believe that the air might ever be dry again given our current humidity levels, but a humidifier is a great thing to have in your armory for the months ahead. Stuffy noses, allergy symptoms, and coughs are all made worse by dry air. Running a humidifier — even just at nighttime — can help little ones sleep while sick, and make everyone feel better during winter months.
I like the Frida Baby humidifier and nightlight — you don’t have to use the light — because it has a large enough capacity to run all night, is easy to keep clean, and you can add Essential Oil Drops (like eucalyptus for stuffy noses) straight into the water tank. There is now an XL version, perfect for larger family rooms! There are lots of good options available at the likes of Target, Walmart, or on Amazon, at a range of price points.
5. Laundry Sanitizer
Literally a game changer if you are dealing with frequent stomach viruses in daycare and preschool settings. You just add a capful of this laundry sanitizer to your washing machine in the fabric softener compartment, and it kills bacteria and viruses in the fabric, even on a cool cycle. This is a Godsend if you need to wash sheets, towels, and clothing and know that they are really clean. This also works really well for deoderizing fabrics, so if you have a middle or high schooler who takes part in sports (including swim), this is a great addition to the cupboard under your sink.
Another top tip? Grab a bottle of Folex carpet cleaner, which also works really well on upholstery, because sick kid spills aren’t confined to tiled areas. Ever.
6. Tissues and Saline Wipes
Tackle the double whammy of colds/flu and allergy season with a good stock of tissues. Tissues for your living room. Tissues beside beds. Tissues for the car. Tissues for their school bag. You get the picture.
I find BoogieWipes Saline wipes are also a really useful option for making sure their little noses stay clean without drying them out. I like both the original and the lavender scent, and they are super at tackling those dried-on boogers that are inevitable at pick-up time.
7. Pedialyte
There’s a fine line between fatalistic and realistic, and the last couple of years have shown me that being prepared is a necessity rather than a choice. Pedialyte is a staple in my pantry, in both bottled form and as popsicles. That way, I don’t have to worry about going out for — or ordering in — electrolyte solution if we are dealing with a stomach virus.
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8. Pantry Staples
Though I love the convenience of ordering groceries for delivery, I do try to keep some things on hand so that I’m not worried about getting a delivery slot while tending to — or recovering from — an illness. Whether it’s the cold, flu, HFM, food poisoning, or a stomach virus, there are some pantry staples that reliably make us feel better. Keeping your cupboard or freezer stocked with chicken (or vegetable) broth, small pasta stars for cooking in said broth, canned soup, rice, saltine or other crackers, bread, plain oatmeal, cheerios, apple sauce, and anything you find really comforting, is a huge help. That way, you’re most of the way towards a meal — or the BRAT diet if needed. I’ve linked a simple step-by-step to one of my favorite simple, nourishing, kid-friendly soups above.
9. Patience
It can definitely feel like you’re just fielding one illness after another as the year goes on, and that is exhausting — especially when you’re running on very little sleep, and don’t feel well yourself. Be patient with yourself, your partner, and your kids. Get the groceries delivered. Order in a few lunches and dinners without guilt. Hit the drive-thru line of your favorite coffee place. You will get through this, you will feel well again, and the holidays will roll around.
You’ve got this, Mom.
