In this blog, we highlight a few of the concerns being raised by young people growing up during the current COVID-19 pandemic and offer some tips regarding how parents can facilitate resilience in their children during this time.
- Concern: “What’s going on?”
Parenting Tip: It is perfectly normal for children to express uncertainty and fear about what is happening and to have worries about the future. Every day, we are receiving new facts and figures as well as being inundated with messages from various media sources. Children, too, are hearing and seeing these messages. Parents can help to ease any resultant anxiety by communicating with children in age-appropriate ways and limiting their exposure to sensationalist media postings which can fuel feelings of anxiety. It might help to view information from official sources with children and to talk about what is known at the current time. Dwelling on this, however, is not advised. Children can also benefit from knowing that you as a family are following official guidance and taking necessary precautions to protect yourselves. Rather than focusing on fear, it would be better to emphasize that by staying home and
- Concern:“ Everyone’s stressed”
Parenting Tip: The consequences of COVID-19 are far-reaching and have impacted on families in many ways – physically, emotionally and practically in terms of living arrangements and financial constraints. For parents and children alike, this is a stressful time not just because uncertainty is unsettling but also because of additional stressors such as job insecurity and financial burden. We suggest that parents find appropriate means and outlets helpful to their own emotional health and try to limit any spilling over of these into family life – as this could have an adverse impact on the emotional health of children. Children quickly pick up on parental stress and through a process of observation and modelling, may end up also taking on some added worry related to adult stressors and responsibilities.
- Concern: “I miss my friends”
Parenting Tip: Not seeing friends and playmates has also been a big adjustment for children during this time. Allowing children to connect with their peers through electronic devices is likely to help with loneliness related to social distancing. Appropriate limit-setting and monitoring of electronic usage
- Concern: “I’m really bored”
Parenting Tip: The implementation of online learning has been helpful in facilitating more structure in the day, but with reduced opportunities for socialization, physical activity and play, children are increasingly describing feelings of boredom. We recommend using the additional time together at home for more quality time together as a family. Playing board games, have family meals together, engaging in chores together, taking an online exercise class together or video calling family members in other countries are all possible ways to connect with your child and help to prevent boredom. Helping your child to think ahead about how they would like to structure their day could also help them brainstorm how they want to spend their free time.
- Concern: “Will things ever go back to normal?”
Parenting Tip: Currently the situation is ever-changing and dynamic. Not knowing when the present situation and restrictions will change can be a significant source of stress. Nevertheless, you can encourage adaptability and resilience in your child by exploring creative problem-solving and coping strategies during this time. Whilst an exact timeline cannot be provided regarding when things will change and although it is difficult to predict with certainty how the future will play out, you can continue to communicate a mood of optimism to your child that a sense of normalcy will eventually return. Until then, however, everyone is doing their part to ensure safety and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Prathna Singh, Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Vivamus.
In recognition of the fact that this is a stressful time for many young people, we continue to offer our Child and Adolescent therapy services at Vivamas. Although the medium of service delivery has changed in light of the current circumstances, the quality certainly has not. There are many young people who continue to engage well with our services. If your child needs some support, please feel free to reach out to us.