Anxiety and stress from the coronavirus crisis is all around us – parents and kids alike. Everyone is doing their best to cope with the stress and uncertainty. While this time is confusing for adults, children are also struggling to understand all the changes around them. Here are a few tips for helping kids cope with stress from the Coronavirus:
Establish a regular routine
Most children thrive when their routines are predictable. Children know what to expect and can manage transitions between activities well. While our lives are currently unpredictable, establishing a new routine can help children make some sense out of this situation.
Keep a regular bedtime and a regular time to wake up. Establish time for school work and time for breaks. Depending on the ages of your children, parents may need to adjust the amount of time your child can tolerate between work and breaks. Even fun activities, like crafts, movies, and getting outside, can be scheduled on a regular basis. Remember, you may have to experiment with different schedules to find the timing that works for your family!
Socialize while social distancing
Kids can still socialize at a distance– it just takes some creativity. Put technology and social media to good use! Skype, Zoom, or Group FaceTime meetings offer children the opportunity to see friends face to face. Children can talk over Zoom with the groups of friends they usually do, such as lunch groups, play groups, or sports teams.
Encourage your child to start a challenge – for a team sport, they can film themselves doing drills or they can set up a smartphone to chat while shooting baskets. Some games, such as UNO or Phase 10, have online versions available. Children can also color or draw independently while talking with friends via the computer or phone. Or go old school– try starting up a pen pals program to keep in touch! Connecting and laughing with friends is an important way kids cope with stress.
Answer questions to give back control
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents communicate with their children about the coronavirus in ways that children can understand (read more…) Naturally, children have questions about why many things in their lives have changed. Parents can filter information by keeping younger children away from images on tv that may be frightening. Parents of older children should talk with their children about what they hear about the virus from friends or the media to make sure they are not becoming distressed by rumors and misinformation. Even though parents may not know the answers to questions their children ask, parents can help give back a sense of control to their children by reminding them of what they can do. Reminding children that they do have control over some things like washing their hands, using coping skills, or finding fun activities around the house can prevent children from feeling like things are out of control.
Promote calm
Children and parents can participate in calming activities together. Movement activities like yoga or having a silly dance party are great ways for the whole family to relax and let off steam. Try crafts with sensory elements, such making home-made play-doh or finger -painting. For families with older children, puzzles are a great activity for families to work on together.
Remember, children pick up clues from their parents on how to feel. Children can sense when others around them are stressed. The best thing parents can do to help their children cope with stress in this situation is to model calm and positive coping mechanisms. It is okay to feel like you do not have it together all the time, but children can learn from their parents when adults show positive decision making by practicing self-care and expressing emotions healthily. Parents need to take care of themselves in order to take care of their children. Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways for helping kids cope with the stress from coronavirus.
Online Counseling for Extra Support
Finally, this is a difficult time for everyone. Please reach out to friends or other support systems to retain a sense of community. If you have any questions about helping your family cope with current challenges or would like support from a counselor, Wellview Counseling offers online counseling on a secure, HIPAA compliant platform. We are flexible and can schedule appointments to suit your new schedule. Email us or give us a call today to get the support you deserve.
Check Out Our Other Blogs on Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic:
- COVID-19 Helping Kids Cope with Stress
- 3 Ways Teens Can Socialize During the Coronavirus Quarantine
About the Author
Emily is one of the caring therapists at Wellview Counseling. If you suspect your child has anxiety or are otherwise concerned about their mental health, Emily would be glad to help.