Parents Helping Parents
When we built Ick, we believed that parents sharing information with each other could make everyone's lives a little easier. Here's how Chicago families are putting that into practice.
"I Knew to Stock Up"
— Sarah, Lincoln Park mom of two
"Last winter, I saw on Ick that stomach bug reports were spiking at our preschool. I immediately stocked up on Pedialyte and crackers. Sure enough, three days later, both kids had it. But I was ready. It made a miserable week just a little less chaotic."
"I Could Plan Ahead"
— Marcus, Ukrainian Village dad
"My boss needs advance notice when I might need to work from home. When I see an outbreak reported at daycare, I give her a heads up. She appreciates the warning, and I don't feel as guilty when I inevitably have to stay home with a sick kid."
"We Caught It Early"
— Jennifer, Wicker Park mom
"I saw Hand, Foot, and Mouth was going around at our daughter's school. When she started getting fussy and wouldn't eat breakfast, I knew to look for the telltale mouth sores. We got ahead of the discomfort with pain relief before it got really bad."
Building a Healthier Community
The power of Ick isn't just individual—it's collective. When parents share what they're seeing:
- Schools can respond faster to outbreaks
- Parents can prepare before illness hits their home
- The whole community benefits from shared awareness
How You Can Contribute
Report What You're Seeing
Every symptom report helps. Even if you're not sure of the diagnosis, sharing symptoms helps other parents recognize patterns.
Follow Your Schools
Get notified when illness is reported at schools you care about.
Spread the Word
Tell other parents about Ickly. The more people sharing, the more useful the information becomes.
A Note from Our Founder
"When my toddler got sick during a daycare outbreak, I spent hours texting other parents trying to piece together what was going around. I thought: there has to be a better way. That's why I built Ickly—so parents can spend less time gathering information and more time taking care of their families."
— Anna-Mi, Founder of Ickly
Have a story about how Ickly helped your family? We'd love to hear it! Reach out on Instagram @ickly.app