Tips for My Snot-Nosed Friends

Well, it's summertime and the Stows have had a healthy stretch.  I thought it would be a good time to revisit one of my favorite topics, snot-nosed friends.

We survived the worst winter ever in terms of sickness.  With a newborn, a toddler and a preschooler, we were put through the wringer.  Conjunctivitis, 3 separate puke bugs, hacking coughs, ear infections, boogs and fevers galore.

Yup, I'm talking about "sick etiquette," as many call it.  Unfortunately, some people don't seem to get the message.  I can remember July 2008 when I caught was given an absolutely terrible hacking cough and cold from someone very close to me.  This someone, obviously, knew he was sick, but decided not to tell anyone and just showed up at our door step with his boogery, hacking self.  Yup, I caught it.  I was sick for labor and delivery. That was awesome. It was so bad that every time I coughed, I basically popped a few stitches in my crotch, if you know what I mean.  Couldn't sleep a wink.  Worst cough ever and so sore to have to smuggle your cough to avoid the worst post-partum situation imaginable in that comfy hospital bed.  This was no ordinary cough. And not to mention all the drugs you can take for coughs and colds while pregnant and nursing ~ dingbat!

Ok, so here are a few simple reminders while I'm feeling safe to say it.

• If you schedule a play-date with me and your kids are sick, why not forget about the play-date?  I don't want to play with your sick kids, really!  Stay home and get better and leave the snot on your own toys!  (Believe me, I know some coughs linger for 6 weeks (we've had them!), but if it sounds bad to most people, it probably IS bad.  Don't come near us!  Thanks.  In fact, I keep a Rolodex file in my head of all the people who suscept us to their germs.  I'll never get over it.
• If you, yourself are sick, don't come near us either.  I really don't want to see you at work either, putting all your boogs all over the computers, door knobs, copy machine buttons, etc.  Take a sicky! 
• Cough into your upper arm/elbow and teach your kids to do the same.
• Warn others before you get together that your kids have a cough or a bit of a boogie situation and speak about it.  Don't assume it's ok!
• Try to avoid getting the grandparents sick at all costs!  If you ask me, there's nothing worse than seeing the grandparents suffer from a snot-nosed kid cold.  This goes for pregnant ladies too.  
• Invest in some disinfectant and wipe down your surfaces and knobs.  
• Wash your damn hands.  A lot.  
• Don't bring your sick, snot-nosed kids to birthday parties.  Believe me, no one else wants to bring it home either.  No excuses.  Just don't do it.  

No, we can't escape all germs and I'm not a germaphobe by any means.  I believe germs are good at keeping our immune systems in check, as a matter of fact.  But as a working mother of three littles and having lived through WINTER HELL 2010/11, I thought I'd put it out there.  When someone gets sick in this house, it takes its toll on all of us.  Takes WEEKS, ore even MONTHS to get through.  So who's the culprit in your circle of friends and family?  Maybe you could share this with them.  Just trying to help another mutha out and give the numb-skulls a good shake!  How do you handle this situation?  Or do you?