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Dealing with illness during spring break

Blanca Cobb offers advise on how to navigate spring break when your student is sick and has friends over for their time off.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — We're talking about spring break snafus. Sometimes, spring break brings more than beach memories. Some college kids get sick, and spring break turns into a disaster. If your college student brings home friends for spring break and they get sick, what do you do? If your college student gets sick, then you want to tend to your student's health and make sure they're set with meds, fluids, etc., and that they're comfy at a healthy distance from their friends to help decrease the chance of the sickness spreading.

It stinks when someone gets sick on spring break. When plans change unexpectedly, it's disappointing and yet requires flexibility on everyone's part. This means having a conversation with your college student and their friends about what's happening, what adjustments should be made, and what the options are. The friends could stay in and watch movies with your college students. Or, you could help them find some daytime activities and transportation options.

One of the most difficult situations is when everyone tries to be too accommodating and isn't willing to share how they feel. Let me explain. Friends might want to stay home with your college student even if they really want to go out because they think it's the right thing to do. Or, your college student might feel bad that they're sick and want their friends to go out without them. Deep down, they'd like their friends to hang out at home with them. Here's the deal. Not talking about what's on your mind or how you feel can make the situation worse. It's more helpful to be politely honest. Instead of saying, "Oh, it's fine to stay in tonight." Say, "I'm disappointed that we'll miss the concert. I'd prefer to hang out with you, and we'll catch a different show."

Share your thoughts on my Facebook page: Blanca Cobb – Body Language Expert. Write a message on my timeline, and I'll get back to you. While you're on my page, I'd appreciate it if you gave my page a "like."

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