Corona Virus COVID-19: Your Child’s Perspective and 3 Things You Can Do To Help:
In this time of social isolation, do you see your kids acting up? Are they suddenly acting in ways that make you say, “Who is this person, right now?” Well, you’re not alone.
Children are struggling with the virus epidemic too! They have been thrown out of their routine, told they can’t go to school, and asked not to see their friends. Children can’t play basketball on the playground anymore. Adults are making them wash their hands five times a day. In a world where children are used to being entertained by electronics, TV, or social activities, the adults around them have stripped the socialization away and have limited their screen time. Children are being asked to find “keep busy” activities that don’t cause too much noise, too much interaction, nor too much mess.
Corona Virus COVID-19
The children also have an uncertain future. Children rely on consistency and routine to keep them emotionally regulated, but right now, they have no answers. Right now, they don’t know when they will be able to go back to school. They don’t know when they are going to see their friends again. They don’t know when they can practice with their sports team. Graduating seniors, don’t even know if they will be able to walk across a stage and accept their diploma as they have always imagined! AP (Advancement Placement) students have worked all year tirelessly to take an exam; they may not have the opportunity to take. These are things that are very important to kids. Consider how they feel.
If your child is acting in ways that you make you want to pull out your hair, please take into consideration that their actions are a reflection of their feelings. They may be feeling insecure, anxious, and angry. Consider how you would feel if you were powerless, bossed around, and uncertain about your future.
What can you do? Here are 3 suggestions:
- Empathize: When your kids are acting like out-of-control aliens, remember that it is because they feel out-of-control. Tell them that you understand their feelings. Reassure them that their feelings are valid, and everyone is feeling similarly. Tell your child that no matter what happens, you are there to support them, and they will get through this.
Corona Virus COVID-19
- Create a Routine: This is extremely important. Children of all ages need routine. Routine provides a sense of security. Write down a schedule for your day and post it. Provide times in the schedule for things that your family values like: exercise, homework, reading, creative time, and even electronic access. Keep blocks of time short and change the activities often. You may have “homework time” 4 times a day, but don’t have it 4 hours in a row.
- Make a specific effort to be online social. The goal here is to have social distancing without having social disconnection. Allow your kids to talk to grandparents and friends on platforms like Zoom, Facetime, or Snapchat that provide FREE video calls. We all need to keep our relationships strong. Social interaction also helps our mental health! For parents, I am holding periodic video-social-hours throughout the week. Keep a lookout for times and dates in The Impactful parent social media posts.
If your child is experiencing anxiety, I have made a FREE printable called 20 Ways to Help Anxiety and Big Emotions. I give you 20 coping techniques that are proven to work for reducing anxiety and calming your child. Also remember, anger is often masking anxiety. Children who can’t control their anger are also experiencing feelings of insecurity. The coping tools I give you in the FREE printable can help! Print out your copy today! CLICK HERE