PARENTING IN A PANDEMIC

A pediatrician offers parents a practical framework for caregiving during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fradin, a doctor and a mother, survived a serious childhood illness and wrote an undergraduate psychology thesis on stress, and these experiences allow her to bring a unique perspective to this Covid-19 child care guide. Early on, she reviews coronavirus basics and recommends strategies for mitigating the impact of the pandemic crisis on kids’ lives. The first section summarizes current science regarding the virus, its symptoms, testing, and risk assessment, offering readers helpful, if somewhat technical, background. The remaining three sections discuss numerous specific scenarios in more detail, such as how to help protect newborns, pregnant women, and elderly people from infection. The prose occasionally dips into medical formality, using terms such as nidus and fomites, but it still provides a great deal of value for the layperson. Indeed, parents may feel less alone after reading Fradin’s calm, matter-of-fact assessment of pandemic-related challenges. For example, the author candidly shares her own personal experiences and feelings (“When I hear of coronavirus parties and the ‘let’s get it over with’ idea, I want to cry”) as well as professional medical recommendations. The section that focuses on children presents best practices for physical and mental health for various age ranges, from infants to teens, while emphasizing the importance of routine health care. “Coronavirus & Parents” strongly encourages caregivers not to neglect their own well-being while preparing for unexpected problems. The book also addresses how to deal with differences of opinion between co-parents. The last section effectively acknowledges the ongoing stress many families are feeling and gives down-to-earth tips for dealing with such challenges. Finally, a useful appendix provides a list of resources and more than 50 references.

A reassuring and practical health guide.