​By Nancy Crocker, Pediatrician (retired)

Winter means children will get the common cold (viral upper respiratory infections) more frequently, even two times a month on average. A viral cold often lasts seven to 10 days with the first few days of tiredness and fever (greater than 100.4 degrees F). The typical cold symptoms are runny nose, scratchy throat, and cough. After two to three days the fever should resolve. Often the fatigue decreases too.

Then by day four or five, a period of “clearing'” the congestion happens as it “breaks up.” So a wetter cough and a lot of blowing into tissues starts. The mucous may be thicker at this point. Each day the child should improve and be back to normal by day 10 to 14.

What can parents do to prevent and to care for these illnesses?

• To prevent the most severe member of the cold family, the flu, get a flu shot.
• Always offer a healthy diet with plenty of Vitamin C during the winter. Practice good hand washing, and encourage children to cough into a sleeve instead of their hands. This helps to decrease germ transmission. Children also need plenty of sleep.
• Purchase a thermometer and keep it in working order. Have on hand some Tylenol, to use according to the directions on the bottle or by your doctor. (Remember, no aspirin for children!)
• A cool air humidifier helps keep the congestion loose. Remember to keep the humidifier clean.
• Over the counter cold medicines (antihistamines, decongestants and cough suppressants) are not recommended for under two years of age unless your doctor makes an exception. These cold medicines do not cure the cold.
• Keep the child upright as much as possible. This helps them handle the congestion. Raise the head of the bed at night. Keep the nasal passages cleared by using a nasal suction bulb for babies and young toddlers. Try to teach your toddlers to blow their noses into tissues instead of letting them sniffle. Keep tissues readily available.
• Important, if your child is under three months of age and has a fever you must call the doctor immediately. If your child is under two years of age and has a fever you should call your doctor for advice. If a fever lasts more than two to three days in an older child (greater than 2 years of age) then call the doctor.
• If your child of any age has a high fever, trouble breathing, trouble feeding, or has pain then you need to phone the doctor or emergency care office.

​Remember to give your child loving care during their illness. See to their comfort with cuddling, reading books, sipping water, spooning in chicken noodle soup with plenty of tissues nearby!

By Neil Allen

During these last few days before Christmas, many families who are struggling financially are trying to figure out how they’re going to put presents under the tree. Many dread the coming of holidays that require gifts, both in the gifts they give and the ones they receive.

I cannot remember the last time I wasn’t struggling through the holidays. This year is a repeat, though the reasons are different—my daughter and I are purposely living at close to poverty levels as part of our AmeriCorps VISTA service.

I like to use gift giving year round as a time to give both useful gifts mixed with a few frivolous things. Last Christmas, I gave my boyfriend a new nursing scrub top and a winter jacket as well as candy and some other small gifts I thought he would have fun with. This year, my daughter got me a practical gift—a water purifier. I’m allergic to the town’s water and buying bottled water is getting expensive, especially given how much tea I drink these days, so it is the perfect gift.

When you’re struggling to make ends meet, getting practical gifts mean so much more than a frivolous one. Especially when the gift makes normal everyday living easier. They may also be things that they’re less likely to ask for as they don’t seem to be appropriate for holiday gifts.

Here are some suggestions:

• Clothing is great idea when there are children in the family. Children are always outgrowing clothes and it is nice to be able to have something new to wear, especially when they’re used to wearing hand-me-downs. A gift certificate to a store may be a good choice if you don’t know what they like. If you’re giving clothes to an adult, think about what would enhance their life. Is a mom going to be going back to work and needs interview clothes or more business-type clothes for a new job? Does dad work outside in the winter and need heavy flannel shirts?
• If you’re going to give toys, give ones that don’t come with an on-going expense, like batteries or a subscription service. Things like dolls, play cookware sets, board or card games, and building toys like Legos or K’nex, puzzles are great “low maintenance” toys.
• Small appliances that help make cooking from scratch easier make good gifts—not only are they often time savers, they can also allow the family to eat healthier for less money. Things like a rice cooker, which can also be used to steam vegetables, or a crockpot are good choices. I got an ice cream maker for Valentine’s Day from a former boyfriend several years ago and we love using it to make a special treat.
• Other good options include gas or the grocery store gift cards or gift certificates for heating fuel or the garage where they go to get work done on their car or regular maintenance, like an oil change. If you live in an area where there’s public transportation, you could give them a bus or train pass. Coupons for babysitting, handyman services, or other skill are excellent options.

​What gift giving ideas do you have to help families who are struggling financially?