Q:
"My child often has small physical complaints, like her belly hurts
or she doesn't feel great, especially when she's tired or worried. This
is not new since COVID, but she and I are both more aware that 'symptoms' are
being monitored right now and that testing for COVID needs to occur at times.
How do I reinforce the importance of reporting symptoms associated with
COVID but also handle the fact that I know this is part of her 'normal' and
passes pretty quickly?"
A: Physical
symptoms are definitely tricky in the time of COVID. Many children get
stomach aches and have vague complaints about not feeling well when they
are tired or worried. It is important that parents not overlook potential
COVID symptoms, but if it is typical that your child experiences difficulties
in the morning before school or at night before bed, both times when
children are more tired and more prone to worry, then it is ok to try to
work through this with your child. Reinforce your child's awareness of
her body and her ability to keep you apprised of how her body is doing.
This will not only be important if she does start to develop any new or
different symptoms, but it is also a valuable lifelong skill. Then help
your child to notice the patterns around when she doesn't feel great.
Does it tend to happen at the same time in the day or the week? Do the
same things happen right before or right after she feels this way? When
does she start to feel better? Does she feel better once she starts to
focus on or do something else? If so, can she come up with ideas for
things she can get involved in or focus on when she starts to feel that way so
that the feeling passes more quickly? See if you and your child can identify
these patterns and create a plan for when they occur so that you can both feel
more in control of the situation.
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