Fear and uncertainty from being holed up in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 can make it tough for families to remain calm during the pandemic. But it’s vital to help children feel safe, maintain healthy routines to help manage their behavior and build resilience.
Here are some tips from the American Academy (AAP) to help your family through the outbreak.
Address children’s fears.
Children believe their parents for safety, both physical and emotional. Reassure your children that you just simply are there for them which your family will get through this together. Answer questions on the pandemic simply & honestly. Spend time discussing along with your children any frightening news they hear. It’s okay to mention people have become sick, but say following rules like hand washing and staying home will help your family stay healthy. Recognize your child’s feelings. Calmly say, for example , “I can see that you simply simply are upset because you can’t have your friends over.” Guiding questions can help older children and teenagers run through issues.
Keep in touch with loved ones.
Children may worry some grandparents who live alone or a relative or friend with an increased risk of getting COVID-19. Video chats can help ease their anxiety. Model the thanks to manage feelings. Talk through how you’re managing your own feelings. Tell your child before you permit the house for work or essential errands. During a peaceful and reassuring voice, tell them where you are going, how long you will be gone, once you’ll return, which you are taking steps to stay safe. Look forward. Tell them that scientists are working hard to figure out the thanks to help folks that fall ill , which things will recover . Offer more hugs and say “I love you” as much as you can.
Use positive discipline
Everyone is more anxious and worried during this time. Younger children won’t have the words to clarify their feelings. They’re more likely to act out their stress, anxiety or fear through their behavior (which can, in turn, upset parents, particularly if they’re already stressed). Older children and teenagers could even be extra irritable as they miss out on time with friends and special events being cancelled. Some ways you’ll help your children manage their emotions and behavior: Redirect bad behavior. Sometimes children misbehave because they’re bored. Find something else for them to undertake to try to to .
Creative play.
Suggest your children draw pictures of the way your family is staying safe. Create an art, a drawing or a collage to hold on the wall to remind everyone. Or, build an indoor fort or castle to remain the germs cornered , bringing in favorite stuffed animals or toys. Direct your attention. Attention–to reinforce good behaviors and discourage others–is a robust tool. Commend good behavior, praising success and good tries. Explaining clear expectations, particularly with older children, can help with this. Use rewards & privileges to strengthen good behaviors (completing school assignments, chores, getting at the side of siblings, etc.) that wouldn’t normally tend during less stressful times.
Know when to not respond.
As long as your child isn’t doing something dangerous and gets attention permanently behavior, ignoring bad behavior are often an efficient way of stopping it. Use time-outs. This discipline tool works best by warning children they are going to urge a time-out if they are doing not stop.
Use gentle reminders for mistakes done
Don’t involve an excessive amount of emotion into it as possible. Then, remove them from things for a pre-set length of some time (1 minute once a year aged is also a decent guide). As parents you wish to worry for yourself physically: eat healthy, exercise and acquire enough sleep. Find ways to decompress and take breaks. If quite one parent is home, alternate watching the children if possible.This will deflate the panic and thus the impulse to attack physically or verbally at children.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
