A year into the pandemic and you might have thought things would be much better now. But, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases proves otherwise — and as a parent, you’re likely worried-sick about the safety of your family, especially the kids.
While the current situation may make you feel helpless, remember that you still can be proactive in order to keep your loved ones protected. And the good news is that these practices are not as complicated as you think.
Below are some of your most pressing questions concerning your child’s immunity and the different ways to address them. Keep reading.
‘I often go outside for work, grocery runs, and other essential activities. How do I make sure I’m not taking the virus with me at home?’
Let’s be honest: It’s not entirely possible for you to just stay at home, especially when you have to buy groceries or go to the office. And chances are, even if you’re observing all the health protocols when you’re outside, you can’t help but feel worried about unknowingly carrying the virus everywhere you go — including your home.
Stick to the basics: practice frequent hand washing. Upon arriving home, try not to touch anything or anyone (the kids, especially), unless you have washed your hands or taken a shower. Don’t forget to disinfect your clothes and items you’re bringing in from outside, such as mobile phones.
Lastly, always pay attention to your health and “listen” to your body. By doing this, you can quickly detect whether you are experiencing symptoms you should be concerned about.
‘Can I already have my child vaccinated against COVID-19?’
Short answer: Not yet.
However, clinical trials to test the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines on children ages 17 and below have already begun. There’s still a long way to go before vaccines deemed safe for kids will finally be available. So until then, keep them safe in the comforts of your home.
While experts say kids appear to be spared from the adverse impacts of COVID-19 for the most part, don’t forget that there are other illnesses they could be infected with.
‘How do I politely turn down invitations for gatherings, however small?’
As restrictions are eased and people experience quarantine fatigue, you might already be receiving invitations for small gatherings from well-meaning relatives and acquaintances. Don’t feel guilty for turning them down, especially when it is still the best decision — for you and your family, and for them.
Remember: It’s perfectly okay to say “no.” Keep it short and sweet, and be honest.
To go about it, one psychologist suggested thanking the other party for the invitation, explaining your concerns, and stating your decision. Meanwhile, an etiquette expert advised avoiding going into too much detail on why you are declining an invitation.
‘How can I consistently engage my kids in physical activities?’
It’s important for kids (and adults!) to remain physically active even as they are cooped up at home. Lead by example to encourage your children to do exercises themselves! Eventually, give them the freedom to choose the exercise or activity they would like to do for the day.
For example, have them pick between jogging or dancing. You can even switch your exercise location for the day — say, from the living room to the backyard — for variety or introduce different exercise equipment or tools that can encourage them to move more.
‘What are immunity-boosting food that my child will enjoy eating?’
First things first: Aside from monitoring the quality of food kids eat, make sure that you are also feeding them enough to meet children’s recommended nutrient intake per day and following Pinggang Pinoy suggestions, as set by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute at the Department of Science and Technology.
Packed with vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables are the ever-reliable foods to help boost one’s immunity. But to keep your kids from feeling “sawa” or “umay,” you’d also want to include the following nutrient-rich foods in their diet: nuts, seeds, eggs, seafood, shellfish, as well as tofu and lean meat. Don’t forget to keep them hydrated by drinking at least 1.26 liters of water for girls and 1.35 liters for boys per day, too!
Dairy products containing calcium, such as yogurt, and cheese are beneficial to their health, too. Of course, two glasses of age-appropriate milk per day must also be a part of their diet.
Similac GainSchool helps level up children’s immunity through its Dual Layer Protection System with immune nourishing HMO and immune-cell building nucleotides, together with proper diet and exercise. 2’-FL HMO is clinically proven to reduce respiratory infections by up to 66% (versus formula without HMO) and Nucleotides can help improve your child’s vaccination response (versus no nucleotides supplementation in children who received Hemophilus influenza type B and diphtheria vaccination).
It's easy to feel overwhelmed and vulnerable during these uncertain times, but remember that you are capable of protecting your loved ones, especially your children. There's no single solution so the key is to try to cover all aspects: give them well-balanced meals, keep them physically active, stay at home as much as possible, practice proper health protocols while outdoors — and keep yourself healthy, too.
Join the Alagang Abbott Parentship community, the go-to group for maalaga parents with kids aged 3+, brought to you by Abbott Philippines.
For more information, follow Alagang Abbott on Facebook.
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