Nearly half of parents are worried they will experience “separation anxiety” as they return to workplaces and children go back to schools and nurseries.  

Research of 2,000 parents of children aged up to 16 found nearly four in 10 parents were nervous about their children returning to school or nursery, while one-third thought they had become more protective as a parent.

The poll, commissioned by self-care company Perrigo UK and Ireland, also found four in 10 parents have found comfort in being able to protect their family’s health while at home.

As a result, 60 per cent said it would be wise to take extra precautions when they return to normal.

Laure de Brauer, a spokesperson from Perrigo UK and Ireland said: “We’ve all experienced a heightened awareness of our families’ health in recent months.

“It will be a learning curve for us all to feel comfortable again, but many parents are finding peace of mind in taking extra precautions to keep their families healthy.

“We believe self-care is vitally important, particularly in these uncertain times, so it’s encouraging to see consumers feeling empowered to take their wellbeing into their own hands as much as possible.”

The research, conducted via OnePoll, found the average parent had already spent over £20 on preventative health measures to protect their family for their return to "normality".

Benjamin Rice-Jones, a spokesperson for Abidec, one of the brands under the Perrigo umbrella, said:  “It’s great to see parents considering how prevention is better than cure, and trying to build up their children’s immunity as much as possible.

“It’s amazing how just taking little steps every day to build up immunity can make such a difference to both parent and child.

Alongside their children’s health, parents were also worried that they themselves will get ill when they return to the office.

And 22 per cent were afraid their sleep would be affected by their return to work.

Farah Ali, superintendent pharmacist at Warman-Freed, Perrigo’s leading pharmacy, said: “This study shows that the concept and benefits of self-care are taking hold among Brits.

“Certainly, I would always advocate to families to look for OTC self-care solutions for the prevention and cure of common ailments.

“This should always be a first step. And in these uncertain times, this is truer than ever before.

“Having the ability to look after yourself and your dear ones will definitely help families navigate ‘separation anxiety’ as we return to a new normal.”