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Beating the Back-to-School Bugs
Woohoo! We survived the initial back to school round of the usual coughs and colds and have managed to keep to our busy schedules, sports and all sorts of commitments that keep everyone running around like crazy. We are reminded as the weather changes and the children start into their different sports that finding time to get together, especially once everyone is in school and back to work…becomes a challenge.
So to celebrate that all of the children – and some of the adults returned to school, we through a family party to enjoy getting together one last time before the weather becomes an issue.
For my party needs, I load up and head straight to our local Walmart store. I can find everything I need to put together a party; often within hours of deciding we were getting together. Walmart really is our neighborhood store that is a one stop shop for everything from food, party decor, beverages, and craft supplies.
For this party, I created a list of foods and supplies needed before heading to the store. I was able to locate all the items on my list including the surprise items for our goodies bag that each family was going to make. You know what I mean about goodies bag…the little bags of toys or candy that your child takes home from the party.
Well, we made…Beating the Back-to-School Bugs Buckets – yes aka barf buckets.
Why not? When one of us is sick, they are quarantined to the couch with their bucket, cup and pitcher of desired fluids.
Here is how we made our Beating the Back-to-School Bugs Bucket:
Supplies Needed:
- Bucket of choice
- Permanent markers in your colors of choice
- Assorted Stickers
- Pitcher for fluids
- Plastic cup
- Favorite bug battling tools
Directions:
- Write your name (or in our case the last name of the family) on the outside of the Back-to-School Bugs Bucket – Add each family member's name or just write your last name. It really is up to you.
- Decorate all around the bucket with stickers
- Write your name on your cup and pitcher
Once you have decorated your Back-to-School Bugs Bucket, you are ready to fill it with your favorite bug battling tools.
Our favorite bug battling tools include:
Centrum® Vitamints: These are great to have in your purse or backpack. They are an easy was to get essential nutrients you enjoy like a mint, including 100 % or more of Vitamins C, D, E, and B6.
Emergen-C®: is my go to additive to my water bottle. It adds wonderful flavors and is easy to take along when traveling. It is packed with B vitamins, electrolytes, more vitamin C than 10 oranges^ and other antioxidants†. With over 20 flavors, you have plenty of delicious varieties to choose from.*
- ^Based on the USDA.gov nutrient database value for a large, raw orange. †Zinc and Manganese*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
ChapStick® : Skincare for lips™, Moisturizes & softens for smooth lips everyday. This is something you can never have too many on hand. I keep them in my purse, the backpacks, diaper bags, and in my desk. I do not like chapped lips!
Advil® Liqui-Gels® ~ Advil® Tablets ~ Advil PM®: These are always in our bag for battling pain. On those days when you either do too much or are suffering from the aches of being under the weather “Nothing’s faster on tough pain”*
*Among OTC pain relievers.
*Use as directed.
Robitussin® DM Max Strength products: There is nothing worse than the cough of a cold. “Clear cough from your schedule” *Use as directed.
Are you winning against the change in weather and the battle of the school bugs? We all know that when the crew goes back to school things change. Our routines, our schedules, the people we are around..and of course a whole world of laying in wait germs. And while we can't stop all the germs, we can take a proactive stance against illness by following simple healthy guidelines like washing our hands. Just this simple step can stop germs in their track.
But for those times with the germs win, being prepared is always the best way to battle them. My goal is always to keep the germs to one person and not the entire family. Being prepared with the bug battling tools makes those middle of the night calls.. “Mom, I don't feel (insert the sound that will wake any parent from the deepest of dreams)” easier to handle. Just having everything together in one place saves time, energy and a ton of stress.
Make sure you stock up this week and be prepared to go to battle against the weather change and the school bugs. Walmart carries our favorite bug fighting tools.
For more information or for coupons available when purchasing these items, visit: Emergen-C®, ChapStick®, Centrum®, Robitussin®, and Advil®.

This year we are ready to battle the back to school bugs…are you?
This is a wonderful remedy. I think it is great to treat the epidemic right, and nip the bug in the bud.
What a fun idea! keep kids healthy and teach them young
The buckets are a great idea!
Great idea
great tips – thanks for sharing!
So many great suggestions! Thank you 🙂
I
have several nieces and nephews so this is completely understandable. I also work in an emergency room so we see the sick kiddos all of the time. Germs are passed such much through the school and daycare centers! This is an awesome idea!
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It looks like you have it about covered. I like the bucket idea.
Oh I remember those days. And even now my youngest daughter always gets a cold when she goes back to school every fall. She is a sophomore at Ole Miss and a health nut and still gets that dreaded cold. I love your idea and way of coping with it especially with your large family. I’m sure you could teach me and others a lot.
What a fun idea! I love the idea of creating these buckets of wellness. Advil, ChapStick and Robitussin are always in our medicine cabinet.
This is a brilliant idea too! Going to make two for both my kiddos. Thanks for sharing!
We need one of these buckets in my office-EVERYONE seems to be sick this week!
I made a ‘bug battling’ kit for my college freshman!
I know! It’s funny but you really do need to be prepared.
What a creative idea! I love anything that can keep kids from getting sick. It’s amazing how quickly things spread in school!
You had the best idea! You are very talented. It does stink being sick, but you are definitely efficient in tackling it head on.
This is such a cute idea! I love that you quarantine them to the couch.
This is a great idea. Too bad it can’t treat the mumps epidemic.
Wonderful suggestions for sickness!
This actually a cute idea to get children and parents together for a fun night of family and friends time!
Great idea thanks for sharing!
AMAZING IDEA!!! Nxt year well attempt to stock up!
That’s a cute idea. We try to stock up on those before school as well.
I also try to beat the cold/flu season by having hand sanitizer in the car and my purse and using it after every store or place we go to.
I homeschool, and have noticed my kids get sick less than our friends kids who go to school. But I do keep medicine, cleaning wipes, and other supplies on hand for when they do.