Nicole Ari Parker Keeps Her Kids Healthy With Vaccines, Cold Plunges, and 'A Lot of Vitamins'
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As a mom of two teens, Nicole Ari Parker’s conversations about family health are looking a little different these days. As she laughingly puts it, “How do I navigate arguing with teenagers?”
It’s a relatable question for any parent of kids who are growing up all too fast in a world with more health questions — and misinformation — than ever before. And it’s one reason why Parker decided to partner with Novavax for the vaccine technology company’s Choose to Protect campaign, which looks to educate the public about the important of getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and learning about the different kinds of vaccines available. As Parker tells SheKnows, “COVID’s not over. I wanted to make sure people got their questions answered and their fears discussed.”
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For the And Just Like That… star, getting vaccinated was a matter of keeping her colleagues safe. “My job required it, to create a safe space in the studio environment,” she shared. “There are so many moving parts to make one episode of one show. It’s not just the actors, it’s the people who do the lights, the hair, the makeup, wardrobe” — all of whom are in close contact and in danger of infections if one person comes down with COVID.
As for her family, the mom of two just wanted to keep her kids healthy. “My son’s an athlete and my daughter is now in college,” she says. “I wanted them to really have that extra layer of protection.” At 16 and 18, Parker’s kids definitely “have their own opinions about many things — and they chose to get the vaccine.”
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Those conversations aren’t always easy. Jose Torradas, an emergency medicine physician (and dad to a 3-year-old daughter) who is also involved in the campaign, says it’s all about making sure everyone is able to express themselves. “It’s having everybody feel that their questions are answered, that they’re making the decision based on feeling comfortable to do so,” Dr. Torradas tells SheKnows. “I think a lot of that just comes from creating a safe space.”
It’s also important to back up words with actions, says Dr. Torradas. “My wife, who’s also a physician, myself, and my daughter all got vaccinated together.”
Parker notes that she’s “really proud” of how her kids engaged in the conversation, educated themselves, and made their own decisions. Of course, the vaccine is just one step — how else do Parker, her husband Boris Kodjoe, and their kids stay healthy throughout the gauntlet of cold, flu, and COVID season?
“We’re vitamin people, so there’s a lot of vitamins,” she says. They also use a small cold plunge pool at home, something she says “really does keep your system strong.” Exercise, eating right, and staying hydrated are top of mind as well. “We’re a juicing family,” Parker says. “I encourage people especially during the winter to get out that vegetable cookbook or juicing to get all the vegetables in.”
All of that goes into maintaining what Dr. Torradas calls “a steady state,” so that you’re ready for whatever viruses will come your way this season. “When I talk to families, especially with vulnerable people at the house, it’s all about what’s your plan at home,” he says.
Air circulation is a big one. “We have small HEPA filters that we move around the house strategically, especially as the weather gets colder, when we can’t open up those windows as easily and let the fresh air come in.” He also recommends testing early and often if you start feeling COVID symptoms coming on, and considering donning a mask if you or someone close to you tests positive.
And of course, getting vaccinated with the new COVID booster is a massive part of staying healthy this season. “It’s important that the conversation continue to happen,” Dr. Torradas says. It’s all about education, he adds, and “encouraging folks to speak to their medical providers about the decision [to get vaccinated].”
Before you go, check out our favorite natural products to ease your kids’ cold symptoms this year:
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