You might be the type of parent that is constantly worried that your child will pick up every cold or stomach bug they come in contact with. You should strive for balance, however, when safeguarding your child’s health. Here are four things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your kids healthy, happy, and germ-free.

1. Teach Your Child About Their Role in Staying Healthy

Your child should know their own allergies and ways to protect themselves at school when you cannot be there to remind them. If hand washing and hand sanitizer are just a part of your child’s routine, these can safeguard them throughout the day.

If your child can learn to speak up about their allergies and avoid the common pitfalls that contribute to the spread of illnesses, they will be ahead of the game. Not only can your child stay healthy when they are out of your sight, but they also will learn valuable lessons to take with them into adulthood.

2. Take Precautions in Your Doctor’s Office Waiting Room

Whether your child is sick or just going into the doctor’s office for a checkup, be smart when it comes to the waiting room.

Waiting rooms at the doctor’s office can be more risky to visit during flu season, so it is a good idea to schedule your child’s yearly checkup in the spring or summer months. This will help them avoid lingering germs when they are in for routine visits.

Don’t let your child play with the toys in the waiting room, and don’t show up too early for appointments. This way, you can minimize your child’s exposure to possible illnesses while waiting.

3. Keep Up with Your Child’s Vaccines

The best way to keep your child safe in the world around them is to keep up on their needed vaccines. In recent years, many parents have been opting out of vaccinating their children, which makes your child’s immunization record even more important. This should also include yearly flu shots for your children to safeguard them throughout the flu season as well.

See also: How to Know if Your Child is Too Sick to Go to School.

While there is always a chance your child will pick up an illness here and there, following your doctor’s advice concerning vaccines is the most efficient way to keep them healthy.

4. Don’t Be Overprotective

While you might want to protect your child from others who seem sick or even just have the sniffles, sometimes this cannot be avoided.

Your child needs some freedom, even if it means coming home with a common cold or two. Don’t overreact to virus season or have your child opt out of activities just because of the chance of illness. When your child does get sick, you should keep them home for the protection of others.

If you suspect others at your child’s school are coming in sick and is becoming a larger problem, speak to your child’s school. They can work to enforce policies regarding keeping sick kids home to prevent the spread of illness overall.

If you can think smart as a parent, it is possible to keeps your kids healthy. Keep your child as safe as possible from the world around them and your child can have a healthy and happy childhood. If you are worried your child won’t listen to you, have your pediatrician or family doctor sit them down and go over ways they can protect their immune system and stay healthy.

Preemptive measures and smart choices can teach your child to understand and manage their own daily health needs.