Parenting Tips During the Pandemic
Parents during this time are bombarded with anxiety, uncertainty, and the loneliness of isolation. Raising kids under normal circumstances is already a challenging task. The current situation we are in only made it more demanding than it already is. How are we coping with kids and other responsibilities amid the COVID-19 outbreak?
If grown-ups are stressed with all the lockdowns and changes in how we go about in society, imagine how children would feel. That is why we also need to properly explain to them what is happening around. While health authorities and people in the government are implementing public health protocols and vital research, parents also have the responsibility to keep the family calm and collected. It is our role to keep our children safe and to make sure they feel safe. While doing these things, we must also set health routines for them, manage how they react, and develop character and resilience while living under the new normal.
As parents, how do we reassure our children during the COVID-19 pandemic? From having conversations to providing de-stressing treats like a jumping castle hire Brisbane inflatable, here are some things you can do:
Ask them about what they know
Depending on the age of your child, you can gauge the level of understanding he or she has about what is happening around them.
You can ask older kids the following: What do you know about the novel coronavirus? What are you hearing in the news or from your friends? What questions do you have right now? What do you think about the new way of how we are doing things?
Meanwhile, you can ask the younger children if they have questions or things they do not understand about the new illness that everyone is talking about. Having this conversation can help you find out how much your kids know about the situation. It will also allow you to correct any wrong information that they might have and take note of the fears that they might not have mentioned or shown.
Deal with your child’s anxieties and fears
Start with answering your child’s questions honestly and in a simplified manner. If they are worried about something they heard from the news or other people, confirm truthfully that, yes, a lot of people are getting sick. But let them be assured that if they follow rules - like washing hands frequently, using alcohol and sanitizers, wearing masks, and distancing at least 3 meters from other people – then they can keep themselves and their family safe. Also, you can give them the hope that scientists are working hard to find a vaccine for everyone. Giving them extra hugs would not hurt too.
Help them find an activity to de-stress
Establishing a daily routine like short walks or exercises can not only help your child stay fit but also keep them distracted from worrying about the pandemic. Do an activity together at least twice a week. Starting an art project, making and eating home-cooked meals, and engaging in games are all great bonding ideas. If you are bent on doing something special for your child, you can also get a jumping castle hire Brisbane inflatable to surprise him or her on a special day.
We are all living in challenging times. Being a parent during a pandemic is no easy task, but our children are giving us something to fight and hope for every day.
<< Return to news