Monkey See, Monkey Do

Ever wondered why our kids, despite constant reminders, keep repeating the same mistakes? It’s not because they’re defiant or oppositional as most of us would like to think, but just telling them what to do is seldom effective. Our kids are like monkeys when it comes to learning–more so than chimpanzees. They excel at what we call ‘selective hearing,’ tuning us out when we just use words. Our actions on the other hand have a lasting impression on them. Kids learn best by imitation, watching and doing. Telling them what to do or not do seldom works (I’d say you’re a lucky parent if that works with your kids).

 

Next time we grab that bag of chips during a commercial break, prioritize screen time over reading, conversing or listening, text while driving, buy soda, cookies and other processed foods at the grocery store or procrastinate exercise, remember those little brains are watching, processing and learning from us.

 

When we drink irresponsibly, are disrespectful of others, use foul language, display anger in a destructive and hostile manner, refuse to stand up against a bully, lie or use dishonest means, our actions get imprinted in their brains at a very young age and provide a model of how to behave.

 

As our lives get busier and more hectic with every passing moment, showing instead of telling might be the best way to teach our kids the values and habits we want them to develop as they grow and step into the real world one day.

 

Gone are the days when “Because I said so,” “I’m a grown up and you’re not” or “This is about you and not me” would convince our kids to do something. Let’s just do the right thing ourselves before telling them to do so.

–Sangeeta Elhence, M.D.

photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/casch/285455204/

TRUE or FALSE Quiz for THE FLU VACCINE

There is a lot of misinformation out there about influenza (“the flu”) and the influenza vaccine.  Here is a quick quiz about some of those facts.  See  how well you score.

• The flu vaccine can give you the flu.    Some people receiving the vaccine may experience mild muscle aches, low grade fever, runny nose,  headache, or  a sore throat for a day or two after  the vaccine.  This is not “the flu”, but rather a possible side effect of your body’s  production of antibodies to the virus.  Also if you were to actually be truly diagnosed with influenza soon after receiving  the vaccine that would most likely be due to the delay in the vaccine’s effectiveness.   It takes about 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to be effective.  These side effects are brief and very mild compared to actually contracting the flu.
• I don’t need to get the flu vaccine; I am healthy.   Although the numbers vary yearly, approximately 35,000 people will die annually in the US due to the flu or complications from it.  A sizable percentage indeed are elderly or have significant medical problems which also contribute to their death, however every year completely healthy young patients do die from this preventable disease. 
• I got a flu vaccine last year so I don’t need one this year.   This is false for at least 2 reasons.  First, the flu vaccine has the potential to mutate every year and have a new strain be the primary type which affects the population.  The H1N1 strain of 2009 was  a new strain which was not contained with that year’s vaccine.   As  you may remember there was a second vaccine rushed into production to cover that new flu virus during that season.  Secondly, even with the best immune response the vaccine will provide immunity for around 9 months so for the most part last year’s vaccine will not adequately cover you for this year.
• The flu vaccine will prevent me from catching colds and stomach viruses this winter.   The flu vaccine prevents exactly one virus, INFLUENZA.  You will still contract other types of viruses if you are exposed to them.  That does not mean the flu vaccine didn’t work. 

 

 

Hopefully you scored well.  If not, come in to the office for your flu vaccine and we can go over some more influenza fun facts!

-Glen Ogden, M.D.