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Surviving Back-to-School Germs

Jen shares a practical, compassionate survival guide for parents facing the seasonal wave of school germs, especially when chronic illness makes every cold feel much bigger. This episode focuses on protecting your household without trying to create a bubble, and on letting go of guilt when sickness inevitably comes home. In this episode:

• Jen frames back-to-school season as the annual “petri dish” cycle that many families know too well, especially those managing chronic illness.

• She explains why a standard school cold can become a major setback for a parent with a vulnerable immune system.

• She recommends an entryway “decontamination zone” with shoes off at the door, immediate handwashing, and keeping school-touch surfaces from spreading germs through the house.

• She suggests a clothing swap after school in high-flare or immune-compromised situations, with school clothes going straight into the hamper.

• She emphasizes practical kid-friendly handwashing routines, including making it fun and aiming for a full 20 seconds.

• She shares a “snugs over scrubs” approach when a child is sick—prioritize cuddles, hydration, and rest over household perfection.

• She offers low-pressure ways to comfort a sick child while protecting yourself, including masks or a blanket barrier.

• She encourages parents not to push themselves to 0% when caring for a sick kid, and to rest alongside them when possible.

• She addresses the emotional side of illness at home, reminding listeners that getting sick is not a parenting failure.

• She closes with preparedness advice: stock teas, emergency medications, disinfecting wipes, and freezer pops before illness starts.

We are not doctors, just two chronic illness patients sharing our perspective, lived experience, and the ins and outs of navigating this journey.

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