7 Scourges of Kindergarten and How to Prevent Them ...

Pink eye is incredibly contagious, so at one time or another, most kindergarten classrooms manage to have at least one nasty breakout each year. Since it's so easy to spread, it's important to teach your child to wash their hands with warm water and soap often, and to avoid rubbing their eyes, especially when you know there's been a case in their class recently. If your child is infected, it's extremely important to take them to their pediatrician right away, and to let the school know, too, so they (and you!) can disinfect all surfaces your little one came into contact with. And never, ever let them share eye drops or tissues!

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This is another common scourge of kindergarten, and it's also so easy to transmit. The best way to avoid head lice is to teach your little one not to share hats, scarves, helmets, combs, brushes, or hair ties. Head lice aren't caused by poor hygiene, so making sure your child's hair is clean won't necessarily help, though of course it's a good idea. If your child does get head lice, don't panic. Let the school know, and use an over-the-counter treatment to get rid of the nits and bugs themselves. Head lice are very, very difficult to get rid of, sand if you need help, don't hesitate to get advice (or a prescription-strength treatment) from your pediatrician.

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Once your child starts school, she'll be sick more than ever, but by the end of kindergarten, she'll have built up resistance to just about every cold and flu bug out there. Kindergarten ick can be a cold, the flu, and everything in between. Again, teach your child to wash their hands well and often, and not to share things like lip balm or water bottles. Also, make sure she gets plenty of rest... and if she is sick, don't send her to school! Not only will it take her longer to get well if she's not resting at home, she'll get the other kids sick, too!

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Oh, the drama of frenemies! If you think it won't start until junior high, think again. It starts in kindergarten, and if you don't address it early, it will only get worse. Let your child know that it's okay to be different, and that being popular or prettiest isn't the goal. Being nice is much more important! And if you think your child may be bullying other kids, it's so important to speak with them, and let them know how dangerous this behavior can be! If you can't get a handle on it, then bring in a professional, because bullying leads to violence, and often times, that violence could have been prevented with a little early intervention. If you think your little one is being bullied, notify the school, and follow up on it! You're her advocate.

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Because our little ones are so, well, LITTLE, they're especially susceptible to food-borne germs, viruses, and bacteria. So it's important to make sure whatever you're packing for lunch is appropriate, keeping in mind that refrigeration isn't always possible. Peanut butter and jelly? Good idea. Egg or tuna salad? Probably not. Also make sure to wash all fruits and veggies before you pack them, since most kids won't remember to do it before they tuck in.

Finally, a disaster that's not such a disaster! Once your little one starts school, you'll notice more grass and food stains (thanks to lunch and recess). Keep a stain stick handy and never let your little one just throw their clothes in the hamper without giving them the once-over. Treat and wash out a stain right after school... and experiment with different brands to see which one works best on the exact pizza sauce the school serves on Tuesdays.

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You finally found a pair of mittens that's an exact match to the scarf your auntie knitted for little Susie, and she's lost one the first day she wore them. Don't worry! Chances are, the missing mitten is in her classroom somewhere, so go the next day and see if you can find it yourself. If not, check the lost and found box for the next week... it's bound to turn up. And don't be angry with little Susie. With so many kids in one small classroom, someone's bound to lose a mitten once in a while.

If you can get through kindergarten without a major melt-down... well, I don't think it's possible! But follow these tips and it might just be manageable, or maybe even enjoyable! Have you had a child in kindergarten? If so, do you have any stories or other tips to share? Please let me know... I love kindergarten stories!

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