Usually by the end of the summer break my kids are done. My oldest looks forward to the routine of school, and honestly, I look forward to having my days back to myself. As a work-at-home mom my biggest challenge is carving out time for work during summer, and striking the right balance between fun, friends, activities, and camp. What I don’t look forward to is getting sick as soon as we get back to our September routine. Hence the need for health tips for kids going back to school, especially the younger ones who share germs along with everything else at school. So here goes!
5 Health Tips For Kids Including the Turmeric Lolly
Wash Hands
This sounds simple enough, but with everything that’s going on in school, kids forget. And even if the hands make contact with soap and water you may still have dirty hands. Kids need reminders. Soap, lather, rinse, get between the fingers, and take your time.
Hydrate
Drink at least 5-6 glasses of liquid and I know it’s easier said than done. Over the summer I made flavoured water with mint and lemon and that became a part of our daily routine. This week, even though it’s been a warm September, the kids’ water bottles are coming back half empty. Getting enough water in your body is important for managing stress and feeling healthy.
Eat Breakfast
I know we are all in a rush to get out the door, but breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. My mom says it, so it must be true. Make a plan and stick to it. Give the older kids more responsibilities. Wake up 10 mins earlier. Whatever it takes.
Get to bed on time
That’s our biggest hurdle in the first week of school. The kids get used to waking up early but they don’t go to bed on time and I see the effect at the end of the week. If your kids are grumpy or cranky or burst into tears easily, perhaps it’s lack of sleep.
Boost immunity
This is the big one. September is a weird month – it’s not cool yet but you know winter is coming. This is the time to boost the body’s immunity and get it ready for winter. Turmeric – haldi in Hindi – is a great way to strengthen the body from the inside. Research has proven time and again that certain herbs and spices have health-boosting benefits, and turmeric is a super star on that list. Growing up, my brother and I had very few “absent from school” days and I can blame turmeric. Its tough though to get the kids to eat it, and what works with my very picky little eater – Chocolate Haldi Lollipop.
Chocolate Turmeric Lolly
This is my secret weapon against cold and flu that boosts the kids’ immunity during the long winter. And it comes all wrapped up in their favourite food – chocolate.
How to make Chocolate Turmeric Lolly
Take 7-8 chocolate chips or a small square of chocolate in a cup. Melt for 30-40 seconds in the microwave and add in a third of a teaspoon of ground turmeric. Stir with a spoon.
The chocolate is the glue that sticks the haldi to the spoon, and it turns into a chocolate-turmeric lollipop. I discovered this miracle last year when I was having a tough time with all of us sick at the same time. I could not get the kids to eat turmeric. Since then it has been a part of our regular routine and the kids even ask for it as dessert!!
Back to school is a tough time for kids and parents. I look forward to all of us of staying healthy through this stressful time. How do you stay healthy in September?
