Keeping our children away from exposure to Coronavirus will be every parent’s top priority for the foreseeable future. But exclusively focusing on the physical would be a mistake. The mental toll the pandemic will take on all of us, especially those who are less equipped to deal with stress, promises to be a daunting byproduct of these unprecedented times.
The good news is that just as you can take many steps to safeguard their physical health, you can also do things to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing. Our world may be put on hold, but this can still be a time to strengthen our child’s character and create an even stronger parent-child bond.
My five year old to me just now:
— The Bee Guy (@the_beeguy) March 13, 2020
‘Dad hold my hand’
I oblige.
She jumps back.
‘CORONAVIRUS - what are you doing?’
Owned.
Kids adapt quicker than adults.#survival
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So, how do you ease the fears of your children while also prepping them to be realistic about the pandemic that is beyond your control? Here are some tips to help them — and you — be ready for upcoming times.
Do Dialogue. Have them talk about knowledge of Coronavirus and their feelings and let them know it’s ok to be scared. Remind them, too, that it’s also ok if they don’t feel like chatting. Your job is simply to be there and let them know you’re doing everything in your power to keep them safe.
Prepare for what’s coming. Discuss “what ifs” as a family including what precautions they need to take in public and what steps to take to limit exposure. As a family, you should also contemplate what you will do if someone in the family shows symptoms of the virus.
Inform but protect. News reports can be scary and hard to understand, especially for children. Talk with your kids about what they’ve already seen and heard. The best rule of thumb: watch or listen to the news together and discuss the reality of the situation. It would be wise to keep younger children away from additional media coverage as what they may hear on TV may sound scarier than it actually is.
