The Motherhood partnered with Kleenex for the Battle of the Bug campaign and hosted an information session at the Bronx Zoo to help moms learn to how keep children as healthy as possible, since cold and flu bugs live all year round.

Note:I was invited as media to this event by Kleenex and The Motherhood to learn how to battle the bug. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Battle the Bug Video Games

During the event, kids enjoyed playing the different types of bug games. But these weren’t just plain old games. One game taught the kids about germ droplets by “sneezing” on them.

Another game allowed them to “whack” a bad germ trying to get them. These interactive games taught the children bug facts in a way that they’ll remember for a while. The kids also got a chance to take photos with Ah-Choo, Kleenex's "Germ" Bug

Battle the Bug Tips

It’s widely understood that once your child starts interacting with others the chances for them to catch anything from a common cold to something serious like the recent H1N1 Swine Flu...will increase.

So what can moms do?

I had the chance to find out during the Q&A with Jean Grabeel, who’s a member of the National Association of School Nurses and has been a healthcare professional for close to 30 years.

Some highlights of points made

1. Teach the importance of hand washing to everyone within your household. Wash thoroughly, which includes between your fingers, during the course of the day since we’re constantly touching things
2. If your child is school aged, pack a mini hand sanitizer in their book bags. Check to make sure the teacher has sanitizers in the classroom.
3. Make sure your child has a full and balanced diet that included vegetables and lots of plain water to keep their system running smoothly.
4. If your child is sick with a high fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea then it’s best to keep them at home for 24 – 48 until the symptoms disappear
5. Teach your children how to cover their faces and mouth when they sneeze or cough with a tissue like Kleenex’s Anti-Viral tissue. You can even make a game of it by showing them what mommy or daddy does with the tissue.

A separate but just as important point that stayed with me, for when my son starts school “officially”, is make friends with the school nurse.

This is the key person who will be able to help you in the germ battle since you share the main concern, the health of your child. This person is trained and very helpful so start wooing her over to your side of the battle.

After all that info the mom group received a special treat, admission into the Bronx Zoo so we could enjoy the rest of our day with our families.

Learn more, visit - www.kleenex.com