Children & COVID-19 pandemic- How to talk to and comfort your kids!

These are unprecedented times and seem like the pandemic movies coming alive. As much as we may want to wake up and realize this was all just a nightmare, we can’t just wish it away. What we can do is control our reactions to the situation not only for fighting the calamity together but also because there are little humans at home who are confused, scared and are looking up at us. This is not what we ever wished for our children, to be witness to times like these but now that we are here, we need to remember to take care of their mental health too!

KEEP THE FACTS STRAIGHT!

Children are capable of understanding a lot more than we think. Keeping them in the dark will not save them from worry. Explain the situation to them factually. Make them understand the importance of hand hygiene, cough etiquettes and why they cannot go on a play date or to the playground even though schools are off. Do not make it sound catastrophic but do let them know it is important for everyone’s health. Try explaining, you will be surprised at how much they already know, thanks to social media and television but what you say matters the most to your child.

MODEL YOUR BEHAVIOUR-REMEMBER, THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING!

Your children hear more than you say. They can read between the lines, understand your body language and comprehend the panic in your voice. For their sake and of course for your own sake, stay calm! We need to teach our children the strength of will, compassion, and solidarity in times of a calamity. Do not indulge in panic buying and make your children believe it is the end of the world. Instead, buy rationally, assure them that you have enough and explain that some people tend to get scared at times like this and thus indulge in bulk buying and hoarding. Instead, pick up milk for your old neighbor and drop it off at the door, teach your children the value of compassion.

ALLAY YOUR CHILDREN’S FEARS! TALK TO THEM.

Children worry more than they show. Your children might be scared that everyone in their family will die. Talk to your children openly, try to understand their apprehensions. Don’t ridicule your children’s fears, acknowledge them and tell them that it is okay to be worried and that they can share all their fears with you. Assure them that you, the government, the healthcare workers and so many other dedicated personnel are trying their best to control the situation and find remedies for the same. Children feel much better if they are able to talk about their fears.

TIME FOR EXTRA HUGS, EXTRA LOVE!

You can’t take the children out to playdates and parks but you can be their playmate. Utilize this time of staying at home by spending quality time with your children. Take out the Ludo, Jenga, Carrom boards and playing cards and bring out the competitive child in you. Make tents with bedsheets and snuggle in with them. Remind your children a little more how much they are loved. Tickle them till they laugh their cute peals of laughter that make your heart melt. Value this time! Make lovely memories together and let us hope that once this all passes, our children have these memories of these together times and not any bad ones.

As much as we want to protect our children, we can’t deny the fact that this is not going to be easy and may not even be the last of the tough times they see in their lifetimes…the best we can do is prepare them for the unforeseen!

Here is wishing good health for everyone!! Stay safe!