With the arrival of the Omicron variety, these are not easy days for parents, children, or anybody attempting to choose what is ideal when it comes to the very simple act of attending school.
Which we’ve seen, your child might be traveling the school bus to school one day and then test positive for COVID-19 and be quarantined for days the next. It’s a whirlwind of tension, anxiety, and confusion that’s taking its toll. There are three ways parents must do right now:
1) Give children correct information
Depending on your child’s age, create an intelligible message regarding the Omicron surge.
Given the ambiguity and disinformation out there, it’s difficult for parents to negotiate this terrain, so imagine how difficult it is for your children.
Maintain a clear message about how the entire family can stay safe and establish what constitutes acceptable risk.
If you have an immunocompromised family member, that risk would appear different than if your family is young and healthy. The threat level will vary, which is crucial to remember because being COVID-positive will have varying effects on people’s lives depending on their general health.
2) Lean into the unknowable
Instead of appearing as if you know everything, explain to your children that the facts of the Omicron variation are evolving as we learn more about it.
Parents should explain to their children that science is always evolving and that as we learn more, the recommendations and conclusions will change as well.
When we are anxious, we have a tendency to focus on safe vs dangerous, right against wrong. But we must accept that, given where we are with this epidemic, guidelines will continue to change, just as the spread and danger will.
3) Discuss what safety means to each individual
Listen to your child’s fears if they claim they don’t want to attend school because of the possibility of contracting COVID.
Then explain gently that you followed immunization protocols and that it’s crucial to be as safe as possible, depending on his or her age and when he or she had their vaccine and booster. Keep in mind that each member of your family will respond differently to a circumstance like this and will have various anxieties and concerns.
