With the emergence of a new variant, the third wave of the pandemic is at our door. It is not easy to navigate your life when you are a worried parent. While the infection of Omicron is typically milder in kids and babies, there is no doubt that the new variant will affect them too. 

According to researchers, Omicron is more infectious than the previous variants. In times like these, it is important to know the important details related to the virus and how to keep your child safe. 

So how to keep your little ones safe? To limit the exposure of infection to your munchkin some of the obvious measures you can take are: masking up, washing hands frequently, and maintaining an appropriate distance. What’s most important however is that you recognise the symptoms early on and take suitable action without panicking.

Symptoms to look out for:

We must agree that the virus is more effective in reaching people than the awareness campaigns. Therefore, even after all the preventive measures, one might get exposed to it. Here are the known symptoms of the Omicron variant:

  • Fever 
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea
  • Diarrohea

The symptoms of Omicron are more or less similar to that of the Delta variant. The most common symptoms were similar to that of cold. In case your little one shows any signs of cold, it would be wise to get tested. The earlier it is detected, the easier it will be to cure and prevent the spread.

Taking care of mental well being

We have been through two lockdowns. Online classes and work-from-home is the new normal. With these changes, we all are facing difficulties coping with the loss of outdoor activities. Amidst all these changes, kids are suffering the most. Their contact with friends is limited to online classes and they only have 2-3 family members with whom they are spending their time. 

Mental health is as important as physical well-being. Here are five ways you can help your little one as a parent:

  1. Provide them with the right information: Most of the time parents avoid providing their children with the right information. This may be because they don’t want their kids to get disappointed or just to prevent them from throwing a tantrum. This must be avoided. With access to limited information about the current scenario, it is wiser to let them know of the situation. Talk to them calmly and make them aware of the details you know. 
  2. Make them aware of the lack of information: Instead of acting that you know it all, explain to your kids that the details are limited and may change as the research is being conducted. Explain to them that soon new details will be found and then you will get a more clear picture of the scenario.
  3. Discuss the importance of safety: If your child says, they don’t feel safe going to school, listen to their concerns instead of shutting them out. Everyone will act differently and their concerns may differ. Don’t be pushy, instead comfort them and answer their questions as well as you can.
  4. Watch for anxiety warning signs: Kids are emotional and pure souls. After going through such big changes, even adults feel anxious, and they are just children. Look out for any signs that suggest your little one is panicky. Especially if you have a teenager. Your awareness of their situation and normalising the conversation around the pandemic will make them feel safe. If necessary, consult a trained professional.
  5. Help your teen rethink FOMO: It’s not just a thought, Fear of missing out is as real as this pandemic. When your teen sees their friends on social media, going out and enjoying themselves, they might feel left out. Try to bring a positive note to staying indoors. Tell them about the bigger impact they can have. You can also introduce them to hobbies like art, music, cooking, gardening, and even writing and reading.

While you are stressed as a parent, it is also important to be there for your little one. Understand that the situation is fragile and you must act wisely. Above all of it, stay aware and cautious of yourself. Remember that prevention is always better than cure. We know you are your little one’s super parent and you got this.