It's true, you can't protect your kids from everything. But don't you want to do all you can to guard them from the things that you can prevent?! These things come to mind when anyone in my household is sick.

As my cough goes from the occasional throat clearing on day 1 to full blown coughing episodes by day 4, I start to recall all those Public Service Announcements I've heard on the radio for Whooping Cough that I never paid much attention to in the past. Could I have Whooping Cough? And worse, could I pass this to my kids or did I vaccinate them?

After a few minutes of panicking as I sift through old shot records while talking to the pediatrician's office on the phone, I confirm that both my kids have had their Whooping Cough vaccines, and my vaccine from over 2 years ago should still be effective. WHEW!

Kids in daycare & preschool exposed to new germs will eventually come home with a cold and/or the flu amung numerous other things, and there's nothing you can do about that. But here are 5 important reasons to vaccinate your children against the big stuff.

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