Weplay Moms

Summer Sanders is teaming up with Weplay for a years worth of motherly knowledge, allergy awareness, and gold medal advice

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The lush green hills of Southern California are a phenomenal place to grow up. I have very few memories of my childhood that don’t involve a bathing suit and a gigantic smile on my face. Some of my fondest memories involve rolling around the hills with some of my closest friends and cousins.

While Southern California is a great place as far as weather and people are concerned, it can be quite harrowing for the allergy sufferer. You see, it was around the same time that I was happily rolling around the hills that I noticed my allergy symptoms. Allergies seemed to affect my siblings and I to a much greater extent than my cousins and friends. I distinctly remember having itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, and an itchy throat. It was at this point in my life that I realized I was susceptible to seasonal hay fever, and that I would have to deal with it. An antihistamine can go a long way whenever there are symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, or a runny nose.

The lessons I learned as a kid are still with me today. As a sports mom, I spend a lot of time around swimming pools, soccer fields, on road trips, and wherever else the excitement might be. I’ve learned pretty quickly that there is one thing that helps more than anything else when allergies pop up, and that’s preparation.

You can do a number of things to combat pollen and other allergens before they come in contact with your kids. If you’re driving around in the car, keep the windows up, especially on windy days. It’s a good idea to dress your children in long sleeves and pants if they’ll be playing on a grassy field. Caps and sunglasses work too, especially for baseball and softball. Keep your house well ventilated so that dust and pollen don’t get a chance to settle in. Make sure to wash out all clothes and sports equipment after each use. These little precautions can go a long way to keep your young ones comfortable.

There’s one more tip that I have for my fellow moms. If you’re a parent to some little athletes, and they suffer from seasonal allergies, do yourself a favor and pack a “mom bag”. Fill it with tissues, water, snacks, and don’t forget the allergy medication. My “mom bag” has saved the day many times, and it sure will come in handy again! Have a good day!