Back in May, I blogged about the swine flu and covering your mouth,  (see May blog) I feel however, that I need to visit this topic again….as flu season is now getting started.

I realized that some people may be telling their children to cover their mouths and the children may still be failing to do so.  

I was traveling back on a plane to Charleston, a few weeks ago and there was a small child sitting behind me and he coughed and sneezed the entire trip.  He did not cover this mouth and even though he was behind me I know he did not cover his mouth because every time after he sneezed or coughed, his father would say “cover your mouth”.

It occurred to me that in saying “covering your mouth” and not demonstrating how to do so, we may assume that children understand what we mean. By only saying “cover your mouth,” we assume maybe too much.  Please do not forget to actually physically show your child what that means and how to do it.

Remember teaching your children how to cover their mouths is an act of respect…for themselves, that is.