11/13/2025
Holiday Habits to Halt the Hustle of Illness
Hey Parents đ â itâs Dr. Novy here with a quick, friendly reminder as we head into the season of family gatherings, potlucks and hugs (and yes, the sniffles too). While weâre all excited to see cousins, grandparents and the chaotic joy that comes with a full house, itâs also wise to think about keeping the germs at bay so we donât trade up the cranberry sauce for a case of the sniffles.
Here are 3 easy (and totally doable) steps from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and friends â letâs protect our little ones (and ourselves) while still enjoying the party:
1) Handâhygiene âdanceâ đ§ź
Encourage kiddos (and grownâups!) to wash hands well before digging in. The AAP notes that frequent handâwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. AAP
Tip: Make it fun â choose a 20âsecond song (âHappyâBirthdayâ x2 works great) and everyone pauses for the handâwash halftime show.
2) Cough âetiquetteâ + airâflow matters
Teach (or remind) children to cough/sneeze into the crook of their elbow or a tissue â yep, weâre grownâup enough to do this too. The AAP highlights that simple behaviors like this help reduce spread of viruses. AAP
Also: If possible, open a window or crack the door slightly when the crowd is gathered. A little fresh air helps dilute airborne germs.
3) Stay smart about symptoms & when to skip the party
If your child (or you!) has a fever, is vomiting, or feeling super âoffâ, it might be kinder to skip or shorten the visit. The AAP guidance (although focused on schools) states that kids with significant symptoms should stay home to protect others. AAP
Youâre not being âthat parentâ â youâre being the partyâhero who prevents the house from becoming the germâhub.
Bonus little humor break:
Yes, you can still let the cake win (because, come on, childhood), but letâs also win at not passing around the invisible partyâfavor of a cold. đ
So â letâs raise our mashedâpotato spoons and commit to the âtwo washes, one elbow sneeze, one window openâ mantra. Tiny steps. Huge impact.