Cold and Flu Myths: Sorting Fact from Fiction
It starts with a sniffle -- next thing you know, the whole household is sneezing, coughing, and passing tissues. Before long, the common cold, or worse, seasonal flu, is upon you. According to the CDC, up to 20% of the population gets the flu each year. The Mayo Clinic cites the common cold as the number one culprit of stay-home-sick-from-school days in children. While you can't completely germ-proof your child, you can separate fact from fiction to keep your family healthier, and save time, money, and frustration. Start by putting some of the more common myths and misunderstandings to rest by reading about the top 3 cold and flu related myths. Myth #1: The flu vaccine causes the flu Truth: Getting a flu shot may cause symptoms that feel like the flu, but the viruses contained in the flu shots have been killed, or "inactivated", which means they can't cause infection. While there may be some achy side effects that can sometimes follow the flu shot, it just means your immune system is responding and processing the vaccine. Myth #2: You're more likely to get sick if you're cold Truth: Despite mom's warnings that you should bundle up, being cold does not cause a cold. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, infections prevail in winter months because they are spread when more people stay indoors for longer periods of time and are in closer contact with each other. Myth #3: Hugging and kissing are great ways to spread cold and flu germs. Truth: Cold and flu viruses like to enter the body through the nose or eyes, so a hug or a peck on the cheek isn't likely to be dangerous. Don't be afraid to give your sick child plenty of affection, and don't worry that a kiss or hug will spread your germs to him (or vice- versa). Many parents recognize The Little Gym locations as safe and clean gyms for children. We work hard to ensure each and every visit lives up to your expectations. Daily and weekly cleaning and sanitation helps keep our environment sparkly and keeps the germs away. Here’s where you can help. As with any other illness, we ask that you do not come to class if your child is coughing, sneezing, or has had a fever within the last 24 hours. Our generous make-up policy allows you to attend a make-up class by simply calling us prior to the absence. Healthy Handstands!
Got Resolutions?
Each New Year is the opportunity to focus on making positive changes in your life. Many of us make very intrinsic and ambitious resolutions just to find ourselves "altering" or "dismissing" those same resolutions just a few weeks, or maybe months, later because they were just too hard! What if we change our mindset? What if we can begin to make resolutions that affect our children? Resolutions that have benefits for our children can ultimately benefit us in some pretty amazing ways, too!
 
Here are 3 resolutions to consider for 2012:
 
1. Instill a love for physical activity. As simple as throwing a ball in the yard, physical activity provides countless benefits and the earlier it becomes a way of life the better. In addition to gymnastics, The Little Gym also offers other physical opportunities, like Sports Skills and Dance, because we know that introducing them to multiple variations of physical activities that engage different muscle groups and functionality helps them to become more well-rounded and confident in their physical capabilities making them more likely to remain physical and open to trying new physical activities.
 
2. Eat your veggies! Keep healthy, yummy snacks on hand and set an example for your child by eating your veggies, too! Involve your children in meal planning, shopping and maybe even growing your food. This can help reinforce healthy eating habits and help them to discover and try new foods and flavors. Go to http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ for  more information on planning healthy meals.
 
3. Point out the Positive! Everyone likes a compliment! Like adults, children respond to favorable comments and adopt behaviors that gain them positive attention. Try and catch your child "at their best". Try to point out a specific behavior that you are proud of or a favorable result of the behavior. Acknowledge the effort. Remember, sometimes the outcome does not truly reflect the effort.
 
 
While making resolutions that help your children develop healthy habits, don't forget to make a few just for yourself. In fact, consider resolving to get some well-deserved "me" time this year. Planning some time away from the kids should be considered a necessity rather than a luxury. Brief separations are beneficial for children, as well as adults. Time away helps foster a feeling of independence and builds bonds with other adults such as grandma, a favorite neighbor, or The Little Gym instructors at a Parents' Survival Night.
 
As we head into our 14th year at The Little Gym of Baton Rouge, we are thrilled to have helped so many children in the Baton Rouge area develop an appreciation for fitness and FUN. WE TAKE FUN SERIOUSLY!
 
We are still taking enrollments for families wanting to join the 2011-2012 Season. For more information, or to schedule a Free Introductory Visit, please contact a team member at 225.757.9930 today!
 
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