How to Make COVID-19 Easier for Your ChildrenNations around the world have been affected by COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus. There is a constant supply of news updates on the situation, from social media headlines to official presidential announcements. Schools have been shut down, and most events have been canceled or postponed until further notice. Kids are quick to pick up on things, and with our lives changing due to COVID-19, things can start to get scary. At this time, it is important to talk about this situation with your children, and knowing how to best broach the subject can be tricky. Fortunately, Additude Magazine offered some helpful tips to help parents with their concerned children, and we would like to highlight a few of them.

  1. Keep to a Routine

Kids are creatures of habit, and with school and all sorts of programs and activities being canceled, your child’s routine is going to be out of whack. While you may not be leaving the house too frequently, it’s still important to maintain a schedule that can help provide a sense of normality for your children.

Using a calendar or some other method you have found effective, schedule specific times for various activities, including entertainment, academics (i.e. homeschooling), exercise, and family meals. Having a sense of unity can be extremely helpful and calming to young minds.

2. Stick to the Facts

In this age of social media, news can travel faster than ever. That is both a good and a bad thing. It’s good because we find out important pieces of information sooner, but at the same time, falsehoods spread around as facts can be alluring and confusing. When talking with your children about all that’s going on with COVID-19, make sure you are privy to the facts, and that you aren’t spreading false information. Read more than just the headlines, and do some research to find out if that source is reliable. Being the voice of reason to your children is an essential part in keeping the calm.

3. Bridle Your Emotions

While you may be doing well at working with your children through these difficult times, there’s still a chance that you, yourself, are still struggling to keep a reign on your emotions. A pandemic such as this can be frightening, but learning how to control that fear will do wonders not only for your children, but for you as well. Take deep breaths, relax your shoulders, and soften your face muscles. If those actions aren’t helping you with your anxiety, leave the room and collect yourself out of sight of your children. Alternately, go for nature walks or listen to nature sounds (like birds chirping) from your porch. Turn on some soothing music. Finding ways to help manage your anxiety is a good way to teach your children how to cope with theirs. Learn and grow together.

 

Of course, there are many other things you can do to help your children not be too fearful of the future. Don’t be afraid to talk with them and answer their questions when they come up. At M.D. Express Urgent Care, we can help answer your questions as well. Give us a call or visit us online to learn more about symptoms, treatment, and other medical-related questions. Stay well!