With the excitement of the holiday season right around the corner, you probably are thinking about shopping, cooking, parties and snow sports. You are not thinking about chills, aches and fever. You should. Now’s the time to take action against influenza, before it interferes with your winter fun.

Flu immunizations are not only important for children, but also for adults to protect themselves and those around them. At Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, we know vaccines work best when most members of a community are vaccinated. This lowers everyone’s risk of exposure to preventable diseases. To help stop the spread of the flu, this year’s flu vaccine includes protection against H1N1 and seasonal flu strains.

Keep this in mind:
•    Flu vaccine is safe and effective. Because vaccines must be safe for use by as many people as possible, they are developed in accordance with the highest standards of safety. As a result, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history.
•    Flu vaccine does not make you sick. However, as with any medical procedure, individuals react differently to vaccines, and there is no way to absolutely predict the reaction of a specific individual to a particular vaccine.
•    Flu vaccine does not provide full protection until two weeks after you receive it. Get vaccinated early.
•    The influenza virus changes each year. Last year’s vaccination will not protect you this year. You need a new vaccination each year.
•    Seasonal influenza results in 220,000 hospitalizations and 23,607 deaths every year.

Until we are able to eliminate influenza, it is important to keep immunizing. By getting a flu vaccination, you benefit yourself as well as the vulnerable, unvaccinated people around you.

Visit this website to find a flu vaccine location near you — www.google.org/flushot.

JUST FOR FUN
To read about immunization myths, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/6mishome.htm. For ten tips about immunizations, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/10-shouldknow.htm.

~ Joe Weyker, MBA, RN, manager, Employee Health and Wellness, Children’s Hospital and Health System

Kids today are busier than ever. Between play dates, karate lessons, soccer practice, homework and dreaded household chores, children often have more than their fair share of pressures. Dealing with divorcing parents can make life even harder.

Parents often fear their children will be harmed because of a divorce. The good news? Research shows that children with divorced parents can lead the same happy lives that children with married parents lead.

By following a few communication “dos” and “don’ts,” you can help yourself, your former partner and most importantly, your children, adjust to a new lifestyle with greater ease.

Do …

• Use “I” statements. Instead of saying, “You make me feel uncomfortable,” try saying, “I feel uncomfortable.” Using “I” statements is an effective way to communicate without triggering conflict with your former partner.
• Compromise with your ex-partner whenever possible. Even after a divorce, there still are a lot of issues that couples must work through, especially when children are involved. Parents must learn how to compromise to reach a solution that will best benefit their children. If parents don’t compromise, conflict is bound to happen.
• Tell the people who care for your children about your divorce. During the early stages of divorce, it is common to see physical and emotional changes in kids. Tell teachers, doctors and babysitters about the divorce so they can help support your children. 
• Give your children permission to love both parents. Children need to know it is OK to talk about the fun time they had with Mom over the weekend without feeling like they are hurting Dad.

Don’t …

• Say bad things about your ex-partner. Saying things like, “He is so selfish,” or “She just can’t manage her money,” sends strong messages to children. If you insult someone that your children love, they likely will take this message personally.
• Discuss finances with your children. Money issues continue to be a leading cause of marital issues for many couples. During divorce, talks surrounding money can grow even more heated. It is important to keep money issues strictly between you and your former partner.
• Use your child as a source of support. Many children are wise beyond their years. As a parent you must remember that they still are children. Kids should never have to stand in as a counselor for mom or dad.

The bottom line is that your children have two parents who love them dearly. While you may not be able to see eye-to-eye with your former partner, it is critical that you come together to do what is right for life’s greatest gift – your child.

Sandy Stetzer is a visitation program supervisor for Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin.

Snacking can lead to unhealthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Keep these tips in mind when making decisions about the snacks you and your children eat.

1. Snacks are optional. 
Kids don’t always need to eat a snack between meals – and neither do you. Teach your kids to listen to hunger signals and snack between meals only if they feel hungry.
2. Snacks are not meals.
 Keep snacks small. A snack should consist of just one serving each of one or two food groups. Snacks should be eaten about 90 minutes to two hours before the next mealtime. When kids are allowed to snack endlessly, they may not eat many of the healthy foods served at mealtimes. To help control portions, you can use a small snack bowl or snack bags.
3. Snacks don’t have to be snack foods.
While crackers, cookies and other prepackaged items often are marketed as snack foods, they are not always the healthiest choices for kids. Use the opportunity when kids are hungry between meals to encourage healthy foods – fruits, veggies, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
4. Snacks should be limited.
 Kids often get hungry again quickly when they eat the wrong kinds of snacks. In order to make snacks filling, include one food that contains fiber (fruit, veggie or whole grain) and one food that contains lean protein (nuts, peanut butter, low-fat cheese, yogurt, low-fat milk or lean meat). Some great combinations of these foods can be found at 25 Healthy Snacks for Kids.
5. Snacks should be served at the table.
Kids often overeat when they are sitting in front of the TV or playing video games. Like meals, snacks should be served at the table with the TV off. This helps kids avoid distractions and concentrate on eating.

Learn more about healthy snacks at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

~Jennifer Crouse, RD, CD, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

At Children’s Hospital-Fox Valley, located in Neenah, Wis., we see families in the midst of crisis every day. The families we serve often are going through the most difficult days of their lives. That’s why our staff takes extra care to help make each patient’s stay as easy as possible.

Our hospital is dedicated exclusively to treating children. We are the only hospital in the Fox Valley with pediatricians on site 24/7. But, as you will see, our services go way beyond medical care. We know that when a child is sick or injured, the whole family is affected. That’s why families are included in care planning and supported throughout their child’s hospital stay. The patients and their families give the best testimony to this.

One of our families graciously agreed to share their experience in a new video, called “Logan’s Story.” In this video, a teen from Appleton, Wis., tells about a tragic accident that left him fighting for his life. Please take five minutes to watch “Logan’s Story.”

~ Tim Klunk, Executive Director, Children’s Hospital-Fox Valley

In more than two decades of working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, I have seen firsthand how devastating it can be when a baby is born prematurely.

Today, 1 in 8 babies in the U.S. is born too early and it’s the No. 1 cause of infant death. Prematurity also can lead to lifelong disability.

Children’s Hospital has two NICUs. Our Milwaukee hospital cares for more than 700 newborns a year, and our Fox Valley hospital cares for more than 300 a year. Many of these babies are struggling with the consequences of prematurity.

You can help us care for these babies by voting in an online contest sponsored by Medela, a leading maker of breastfeeding and breast pumping products. During November, go to www.MedelaPreemieAwareness.com, register on the site and vote for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin or Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley. You only are allowed to vote once. The six hospitals with the most votes will win $5,000 worth of breastfeeding products.

Learn more about prematurity and what you can do to help by visiting marchofdimes.com.

~ Lisa Jentsch, director of Newborn and Fetal Care Services