My Back-to-School NON TOXIC Wellness Routine: How I Support My Daughter During Germ Season
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Back-to-school season is here, and we all know what comes along with the new backpacks, lunchboxes, and school routines: GERMS!
Once kids are back together in classrooms, they’re exposed to so much more. While we obviously can’t prevent every cold or illness, I believe in being proactive and supporting my daughter’s immune system before the school year even begins.
My daughter is almost six years old, and I can say that she rarely gets sick during the school year. Typically, she may get one or two minor colds a year that are very manageable. We’ve also never needed to take her to the pediatrician for a sick visit.
Of course, every child is different, and this is simply what we personally do in our home. I’m sharing our routine because so many parents ask me what I give Zoe during back-to-school season.
Start 1–2 Weeks Before School
I don’t wait until the first day of school to start thinking about immune support.
About one to two weeks before school begins, I start getting consistent with our back-to-school wellness routine.
For Zoe, that includes:
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Elderberry
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Zinc
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Vitamin C
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Her daily multivitamin
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Throat spray
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Nasal spray
I also use iodine nasal swabs as part of our personal routine.
When it comes to supplements, more is not always better. Children have different nutritional needs depending on their age, diet, health history, medications, and other supplements they may already be taking. Always follow age-appropriate dosing and talk with your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider if you have questions about what is appropriate for your child.
Our Before-School Routine
Once school starts, I continue our routine consistently in the morning.
Before Zoe heads out for the day, she gets the supplements we use as part of her regular wellness routine, along with her throat and nasal products.
For me, consistency is key. I would much rather focus on healthy habits every day than wait until she isn’t feeling well to start thinking about immune support.
What We Do After School
When Zoe gets home from school, I have a simple after-school routine too.
I clean her hands with hypochlorous acid spray, and we use her throat and nasal sprays again according to their directions.
And, of course, supplements aren't the entire picture. Sleep, nutritious foods, hydration, handwashing, movement, time outside, and overall health habits matter too.
There is no routine that can guarantee your child won't get sick—and getting an occasional illness is a normal part of childhood—but these are some of the things we personally prioritize in our home.
The Vitamin C, Zinc & Elderberry We Use
For Zoe’s vitamin C, zinc, and elderberry products, I use MaryRuth’s Organics.
→ Find Current Mary Ruth Organic's Code Here
The Throat & Nasal Products We Use
For throat and nasal products, we use Beekeeper’s Naturals.
→ Find Current Beekeeper's Naturals Code Here
Shop Zoe's Supplements & My Back-to-School Favorites
I put everything in one place to make it easier for you to find the products we personally use.
Zoe’s Supplements on Amazon:
https://amzlink.to/az0ZdpAW6Zmrq
Back-to-School Supplies:
https://amzlink.to/az0KgiFJ2gENG
Back-to-School Decor:
https://amzlink.to/az0czQFIQ63WS
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you. I only share products that I personally use, like, or feel comfortable recommending.
Consistency Matters
The biggest thing I can tell you is to stay consistent with the healthy habits that work for your family.
I don't believe wellness is about doing something once your child is already sick. For our family, it’s about the little things we do every day—supporting nutrition, prioritizing sleep, keeping her hydrated, encouraging good hygiene, and being consistent with the products and supplements we've chosen for her.
Can this guarantee your child will never get sick? Absolutely not. Kids are going to encounter germs, especially at school.
But I would rather be proactive about supporting my daughter's overall health than wait until something happens to start thinking about it.
This is simply what has worked well for our family, and I hope sharing our routine gives you some ideas for creating a back-to-school wellness routine that works for yours.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only and shares my personal experience as a mom and registered nurse. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your child's pediatrician or qualified healthcare provider before starting supplements or new wellness products, particularly for young children or children with medical conditions or who take medications.