The biggest mistake we make as parents? We panic.

Homeopathy for childhood illnesses

Childhood illnesses require calm and patience

Are you familiar with those ubiquitous "listicles" on the internet? For example "the seven main reasons why your house is so chaotic" or "the nine worst garments in your wardrobe".

Do you know why these lists exist at all? Because they are a successful advertising strategy and online providers love successful ad campaigns.

Magic numbers

Have you ever noticed that the lists almost always use odd numbers? There are very probably also six reasons why your house is chaotic, or perhaps even eight. And in your wardrobe there could be ten or twelve dreadful rags lurking. Studies in economic psychology have, however, found that odd numbers are perceived as more trustworthy.

Good luck making sense of that!

The numbers are usually chosen arbitrarily and say more about the needs of the list's author than about their truthfulness.

So to hell with all the lists. I'm going to tell you here what the ONE big mistake is that parents make when it comes to their children's health.

One. One. Uno. Une. Una. Yski. Énas.

And what would that be?

Parents often panic too quickly.

For example, when it comes to fever.

Fever can be beneficial

How often have you seen a mother PANIC because her child has a fever! She immediately reaches for antipyretic suppositories so the fever will go down. But fever does not happen without reason; it helps fight bacteria or viruses and sets the stage for an effective immune response in later years (see also my blog post Let your children sweat: fever is healthy).

When your child becomes ill, that is NO REASON TO PANIC.

You can remain calm – very calm.

Fever trains the immune system

Children MUST become ill so they can strengthen their immune systems. Only in this way can they grow and thrive.

Illnesses are part of childhood and are not something that must be avoided at all costs.

Sometimes – indeed often – it is far worse to avoid or suppress an illness than to let the body fight the illness naturally. For by doing so we force the body to stop the self-healing process.

Children can develop high fevers and heightened emotions alongside. When parents panic, they switch off their logical brain and rely on others to provide a quick solution. Not infrequently doctors exploit the situation and convince upset parents that antibiotics are the only solution to their problem. Some even suggest that parents act irresponsibly if they do not give their child antibiotics.

At that moment mistake number one leads to mistake number two: antibiotics (don't worry: there won't be a list here!).

Antibiotics and long-term consequences

As soon as you react in panic, you cannot think clearly and consider what consequences a course of antibiotics might have ten years later – perhaps even for a lifetime. You open the door wide to recurrent infections, not to mention digestive problems, eczema, food intolerances and much more. (Also read The downward spiral: antibiotics and susceptibility to infection.)

All too often children are prescribed antibiotics because their parents are too afraid. However, antibiotics are not the only answer to an infection.

Homeopathy for infections

Let's say your child has a middle ear infection with a high fever. Then you could give them Belladonna 30 every few hours until the symptoms have improved significantly. Chamomilla 200, Pulsatilla or Hepar sulph may also be suitable, depending on which symptoms your child shows. (For more information on homeopathic potencies see D- or C-potency: that is the question.)

I have often written that there are many ways to Rome. But in blind panic it is hard to recognise the right path and choose the appropriate remedy.

That is why it is worth reading and learning as much as possible about homeopathy. There are many good books on the subject.

Educate yourself – it's worth it! Then the next time your child has a fever you won't panic and you will be able to help them in a gentle, natural and reliable way. After all, every child deserves the best possible start in life.

Be a hero and spread the word!

With warmest regards,

Yours

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Source: The Biggest Mistake Parents Make

Photo: 1697133520 by Andrey Sayfutdinov

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