If you ask me, parenting is by far the most difficult job in the world – if we can even call it that way. But what if you add social isolation, restrictions and health threats caused by a new virus?
Unfortunately, 2020 has answered to this question – and most of us are still overwhelmed by the pandemic. What’s worse, now we’re in the middle of the flu season, which increases our risk for developing complications even more.
Coronavirus cases are still increasing rapidly in our country and it’s more important than ever to stay safe. But how can we keep our families safe in this state of general chaos?
Today, we’ll explore the most helpful ways of staying healthy (both mentally and physically) in this unprecedented situation.
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Get vaccinated
Although we have a coronavirus vaccine now, healthy adults and children will be the last to get access to it. Until then, though, we can still protect ourselves from illnesses that do have a vaccine available, such as the flu.
According to specialists, any healthy adult and child over 6 months old can get vaccinated against the influenza virus.
If your children are under 4 years old, you can double-check with their pediatrician whether they’ve had all the required vaccines such as those for measles, whooping cough or tetanus.
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Stock up
Remember that time grocery stores ran out of toilet paper because everybody thought it was the end of the world?
I’m not talking about that kind of stocking up on supplies.
Instead, experts recommend everyone to have just enough vital supplies to survive for two weeks in case they need to self-quarantine at home or suffer from other health conditions.
Here are the main items you should own at home:
- Fever reducers for both children and adults
- Hydrating liquids (water, apple juice)
- Thermometers for children and adults
- Disinfecting wipes and solutions
- Formula, diapers, baby wipes
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Take care of yourself
Regardless of your child’s age, always remember that they feel what you’re feeling. If you’re constantly anxious, angry or downright frightened due to pandemic-related reasons, that’s exactly how your children will feel and behave too.
It’s very hard to stay positive in such a negative world. However, there are a few things that help your family regain balance:
- Create a healthy routine with family mealtimes, activities and housework. This gives us the feeling that we’re in control, which definitely eases some of the tension at home.
- Be grateful for the things you have, even though sometimes it feel like you have nothing left. Look at your family, learn to enjoy little things just like your children; in such an avalanche of big events, focusing on little things provides stability and happiness.
- Practice mindfulness with your family. Being mindful means focusing on the present moment. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but it will spare us the anxiety caused by obsessing over what’s going to happen in the future. Helping your children develop this habit will make them much calmer and patient as well!
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Say ‘Bye’ to fatigue!
We’ve been in a pandemic for almost a year. Social distancing, wearing masks, spending so much time indoors are all important measures – but we have to admit they are mentally exhausting.
Dr. Eric Toner, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, says this fatigue can make us subconsciously give up and be more relaxed about all those rules.
This is the biggest mistake you could ever make.
We’d all like to see our loved ones in person or not having to wear a mask every single time we go out. We’d like our children to experience life in a normal way. However, none of these things are worth putting your family’s health at risk.
Only you can be the hero your family needs. Set an example for your children: keep wearing a mask, keep washing your hands, do all of the things that prevent your loved ones from contacting a potentially deadly illness. I know we can!
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Plan child-care in advance
When our country first went into lockdown last spring, us parents had no idea how we could manage homeschooling or what other child-care options we have.
This time, we know another lockdown can happen anytime (if it hasn’t already happened in your state). Dr. Toner advises everyone to come up with an alternative plan for their children’s education and wellbeing in case of emergency.
For example, if your child is going to be ill, you should ask about their school or kindergarten policy: when should they be tested for COVID-19? When can they return to school safely if they fall ill? It’s always better to know this information in advance than be caught by surprise.
If you have babysitters, grandparents or friends who live nearby, you should ask them in advance if they could look after your kid should another lockdown come. Right now, not everyone is willing to work or babysit especially in such precarious conditions and you should know your options right from the start.