How are you Preparing for Cold and Flu Season?

If preparing for cold and flu season was a recipe, we would start with the flu shot, mix in stocking up on some comfort items, add a dash of soap and bake it with our fingers crossed.

While we can't control if anyone in our families gets a bug (or, God forbid, mom goes down!), we can take some steps to try to keep a cold or flu at bay or be ready for it if it strikes. As Rebecca notes, "Benjamin Franklin said, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,' and that is my strategy!" There is nothing worse than needing Tylenol late at night and finding an empty bottle! Read on to find some of our go-to products, resources and perspectives.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

I DREAD cold and flu season every single year. With kids in multiple schools and sports, it feels almost impossible to avoid. It was way worse when the kids were younger and had their little hands in everything. My approach is part prevention, part survival mode.

I’m a total handwashing freak. My kids know the first thing they do when they walk in the house is head straight to the sink. I keep a steady stock of the basics: Kleenex, fever and cold medicine, Pedialyte, and Zofran (my must-have because I have a major fear of throwing up).

Other than that, it’s mostly about riding it out. My kids all get flu shots, and we try to stay as healthy as possible with sleep, good food, and vitamins. But seriously, you can prepare all you want sometimes you just have to bear down, cancel plans, and pray it moves through fast.

Every year I swear we’ll escape it unscathed, but if parenthood has taught me anything, it’s to expect the unexpected… and always have a backup box of tissues and bottle of bleach.

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

I really don't do much to prep. At the start of school I restock on Tylenol and Motrin. The kids take a multivitamin during the school year. They know to wash their hands when they get home from school. I try to avoid them going to friend's houses (or them coming over) if I know someone has been sick.

Last fall my oldest and youngest seemed to get hit with everything (i.e. pneumonia, strep), but we had an overall healthy winter. My middle child did not have any sick days last year. I am hoping we have a similar winter. But germs with kids are so hard to avoid.

I volunteered in my 3rd graders classroom last year and after seeing so many uncovered coughs and sneezes, it honestly feels unavoidable.

We traveled before Christmas last year and I pulled my 2 youngest out early when I heard the stomach bug was going around. We are traveling again at the same time this year and I may pull them out early again to avoid any potential sicknesses.

Good luck to all you parents out there!!

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

I wish I had the perfect recipe for staying healthy all season long — but I do have a few habits that help! First, our family always gets the flu shot. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a great layer of protection.

We focus on staying healthy from the inside out with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus daily vitamins. My husband is the ultimate smoothie maker every morning, and I truly believe it helps keep our immune systems strong.

We’re also big on hand washing — it’s the first thing everyone does when they walk in the door. I keep hand sanitizer in the kids’ backpacks and in our cars, just to be safe.

And when the inevitable cold or flu hits, I make sure we’re stocked up on tissues, medicine, and plenty of rest. I also love to let in fresh air, even on chilly days. Opening the windows for a few minutes always makes the house feel clean and helps clear out lingering germs after someone’s been sick.

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

Cold and flu season feels like it gets longer and longer each year. We try to keep healthy habits all year long, but inevitably, someone will catch something! Either way, we do our best to keep germs at bay and when someone feels crummy, we take the extra time to rest.

Here are a few things we do:

Keep your germs to yourself or wash them away: I keep hand sanitizer in my car and will pass it around - especially before someone digs into a snack. Reminders about hand washing - this feels never ending, as do reminders about personal space and covering your mouth.

Prepare supplies: I stock up on Motrin, Tylenol and Dimetapp. I try to keep travel packs of tissues, extra

chapsticks and vitamin C lozenges handy. We have seen kids recover quicker with a humidifier, so we make sure we have filters and Vicks pads ready (never fail, you don't know you need to bust out the humidifier until bedtime!). And, I like to have Propel packets handy - when I need to encourage someone to drink more water, they help with motivation.

Make the best of any downtime: When someone feels crummy, we don't push it. While I do go by the thermometer, if someone just looks off, I err on the side of caution. Skipping a practice, missing a day of school or (heaven forbid) missing a birthday celebration is better than bringing your germs to the party. Plus, a day of binge watching Wild Kratts never hurt anyone.

Jen, Bespoke Travel Designer from @GlobalonDemandTravel

To prepare for flu season, I make sure to get my annual flu shot.

I prefer to schedule it in November so that my immunity stays strong throughout the winter months, when flu activity typically peaks. It’s a simple step that helps protect me and those around me from getting sick.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and that is my strategy!

It starts with making sure everyone has their Flu shots. I know it only protects some strains of flu, but I'll take the coverage I can get!

One of the worst feelings is being sick and having to run to the store for provisions. It’s easy enough to

stock up the “medicine cabinet” before anyone falls ill.

• Kleenex on autoship from Amazon so we never run out

• Neil Med Nasal Rinse is essential for clogged noses and sinus headaches

• Hard candy like Jolly Ranchers (it does the same things as throat lozenges)

• Aquaphor for chapped lips and noses

• Hand sanitizer in all bags and cars

• I stock my bathrooms with really good smelling hand soap in the hope of encouraging hand washing

• Vick’s shower steamers never hurt!

Lastly, I have a friend who swears by Blueberry Pediatrics, telehealth designed for kids and families. This is an option I wish I had when my kids were little and we were fighting daycare infections on a regular basis!

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How do you prepare for cold and flu season?