We’re not saying it'll be that sticky shopping cart handle your kid licked. Or Liam at daycare. But one of them is going to take you and your kid down- soon- and the whole house will smell like strawberry Pedialyte and vague regret.
Sick season always shows up early and stays too long, so this week is all about tactical prevention and brain-saving prep because once the mucus hits, there’s no time to think.
Here are 3 zero-fluff ways to make the next sick day 2% easier. Which, let’s be honest, sometimes makes all the difference.
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🍽 The Sick Day Stash
👉 Do Future You a favor: add a few of these shelf-stable items to your grocery list and toss a “Sick Day Stash” bin together this week.
Simple stuff, like:
Electrolyte packs or hydration pops
Applesauce pouches
Crackers
Instant oatmeal or boxed soup
Dry cereal or other bland carbs
Also? Now’s the time to stock up on fever meds, saline spray, and a thermometer that actually works. When the stomach bug hits at 2am, you do not want to be forced to do a middle-of-the-night pharmacy run. Ask us how we know.
💸 Know Your First Call
👉 When daycare calls mid-meeting, it’s not the time to figure out who might be free to help.
Action: Take five minutes this week to get clear on your “first call” people, whether that's a friend, neighbor, sitter you haven't talked to in 6 months, or family member who might be able to pinch-hit. Ask them now what days/times they’re generally free. That’s it.
Don’t make it a spreadsheet. Don’t write a manual. Just know who to call first when things unravel.
Did you know? 🧃 JuiceBox is built by a tiny team of working parents just like you. We curate and write this stuff so you don’t have to but we’d LOVE for you to get in on the action.
💬 Got a time-saving tip or a chaos-fighting hack of your own? Hit reply and share it—we all need a village, and we’d love to hear from you.
👯♀️ Know a fellow parent who needs this? Forward away or hit this button:
🧘♀️ The Germs Start at the Door
👉 Let’s not panic — but studies show 90% of shoe soles carry bacteria like E. coli.
(As a "floor food is fine" house, this is…sigh…)
We know this is already dogma for some people, but consider starting the “shoes off inside” rule before sick season kicks into full gear if that's not already a thing at your house. Add a bin by the door and a basket of socks or slippers so it’s not just a rule, it’s a routine.
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “Might Be Starting a No Shoe Rule” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡
P.S. There are six weeks between now and Halloween. We’re calling it your sprint window, and next week's issue's got the small-but-mighty moves to help you stay upright(ish).