Like it or not, stress from Covid-19 is everywhere. This virus has impacted old and young alike and is forcing everyone to accept a new “normal.” While this is confusing for adults, our children are also struggling to make sense of everything. Here are some ideas that to help your kids (and you) cope with the stress of our new “normal.”
Get into a routine
Most children, and adults, perform best when they have a predictable routine. Kids know what to expect and can maneuver throughout the day fairly well. Establishing routines, even in unpredictable times, can help children feel less overwhelmed.
What would these routines look like, you ask? Simple things such as keeping a consistent time to wake up and go to bed are good routines. Establishing time for school work, breaks, and lunch are also part of a daily routine. Breaks such as taking a bike ride, doing crafts, or baking cookies can be scheduled on a regular basis. Find something that works for your family and stick with it!
Socialize with social distancing
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, kids can still socialize! Although they may not be on the baseball field, swimming pool, or side by side playing video games, virtual socialization is a great substitute. FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams are all methods we can use to allow our kids to actually see and interact with their friends.
Encourage your child to participate and even initiate competitions through the use of his/her electronic device. For example, have your child play a virtual game of HORSE (basketball) with his or her friends, film themselves juggling a soccer ball to see who can keep it in the air the longest, or see who do the longest handstand or the most cartwheels. Virtual interactions don’t have to be sports related as games such as UNO, Phase 10, chess, checkers, and even Battleship have online versions available. Regardless of the method(s) you choose, it is the connection that is important. Laughing and engaging with friends is a very good way to relieve stress.
Promote Understanding
Children often have questions when routines change so it’s important for parents and caregivers to make the environment more predictable where possible. Although we may not have all the answers (who does?!!), we should do our best to explain our situations to promote understanding where possible. Younger children (3-10) may not grasp all the moving parts that make up our daily lives so it may be best strategy to filter what they see on tv (e.g. rising infection numbers and death tolls). Parents of older children should encourage open and honest communication to prevent rumors and myths from spreading. Regardless of the child’s age, it is important that we not only remind them about proper hygiene habits, but we also TEACH them the proper ways to wash their hands and cover their coughs and sneezes. Teaching these basic things not only reinforces good hygiene, but also may help with the notion of controlling what we can control. The old saying that knowledge is power goes along way here.
Calming Activities
Parents can also take time out of their day to engage in both active and calming activities with their children. Activities involving movement such as yoga, going for a bike ride, playing hide and seek, or having a silly dance party are good ways to spend time together and relax. Crafts such as making play dough and drawing a sidewalk mural with chalk help engage younger kids. For older kids, working inside on a puzzle or going outside to build something are great ways to keep their minds active.
Remember, your kids pick up social cues from you, as parents. When you are feeling anxious and stressed, your kids sense this. Parents can help their children cope with these feelings by modeling calming strategies themselves. It is normal to not be on your “A game” at all times, but children can learn how to make positive emotional decisions by watching how their parents express healthy emotions during stressful times. Parents need to take care of themselves in order to take care of their children. Practicing self-care is one of the best ways to help kids cope with stress from coronavirus.
Extra Support: Online Counseling
This is a difficult time for everyone. Reaching out to friends and family can be helpful to promote a sense of community. If you have questions about helping your family during this stressful time, or if you would like support from a counselor, Mind Works Psychologists offers online counseling on a secure, HIPAA compliant platform. We have flexible hours and can make an appointment to suit your schedule. Give us a call today or send us an email at info@mindworkspsychologists.com to get the support you are seeking.
