Having a child sometimes can be challenging even if it comes to daily hassle. You should take care of her or his behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Another aspect of being a good parent is to spend quality time with your children. If you run out of idea what to do with him or her, visit parentcenternetwork.org and get to know product reviews that will assure you about high-quality chosen toys. It is also worth following your child’s perspective and points of view. You should always be understanding and patient, as children get to know how society and life work.
Nowadays, everyone has to face the pandemic of SARS CoV-2. We all should focus on elderly people, ones who struggle with psychological diseases, and children. So now the question arises, how to support your child’s mental health? In our century, it is much harder to control the child’s thoughts and habits due to access to the Internet or TV programs. What can you do then? Minimize the negative impact these changes have on your child.
Tell them there is nothing wrong with being concerned
Children are the best observers, so they will quickly notice unusual ways of behaviors or how other people react. They may have heard some comments expressed in a non-appropriate way. Uncertainty can cause feelings of sorrow or fear. Talk with your child about all concerns, be honest, and try not to create a false reality. If you allow your child to think that everything is completely normal and fine, it may cause a lack of capability to see the problems and how to deal with them. You can tell the children about medical experts and how people help medics to lower the spread of the virus. As you are your child’s authority, you should always show him or her that there are various ways of coping with hard situations. For example, even if the school is closed, he or she can still see all friends thanks to online classes. You should also keep in mind that if you show your dark thoughts, the child may not be able to deal with them. It is better not to worry in advance about deaths and the risk of catching a virus, especially if you get to know all the rules on how to handle it.
Teach them to find the Golden mean
It is known that children soak information like sponges. No matter if they are true or not. During the pandemic, it is even more important to have an eye on what your child listens to and watches. Media can create a false picture of reality. As an adult, you can see it clearly, but your child may not. Children can feel more stressed while watching TV or hearing about the increasing number of deaths, rules which have to be followed, etc. On the other hand, turning off the television or forbidding your child to read about the virus is not a good idea. Children should know what is going on, if they are not, they can apply various information and allow their imagination to take over their mind. Teach your child to listen to vulnerable sources.
Teach them what to do to prevent the spreading
The child should know exactly what is happening and how to cope with it. Explain to them every change that is made to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Why can I not meet my friends? Why do we have to wear those masks and gloves? The number of questions will increase every day if you do not present the reasons for preventive measures. Teach him or her about responsibility and need to follow these regulations. Explain the importance of handwashing, wearing a mask outside, and not touching face constantly. If your child is not interested in listening to your monologue, you can encourage him or her to be more creative. Create a poster, short story, or just a drawing to be sure that your child understands everything. You can teach your child how to be a responsible citizen who takes care not only about oneself but also about other people.
Take care of a child creatively
The schools are closed, just like the majority of workplaces. This means that more people will spend time at home without a chance to do regular social activities. Try to show your child that even at home, there are plenty of interesting things to do. Propose your child to do some activities together, like cooking, playing, taking care of pets, or just watching movies. Now, you will have time to focus on your child, help him or her with school duties, and take care of many aspects of their life. Even if you are a parent of a teenager, quarantine is a good opportunity to create strong and vulnerable bonds.
People experience a sudden change in their lives, so it is nothing wrong with the feeling of uncertainty. When it comes to taking care of children during the pandemic, it is crucial to stay close to them and explain everything that may be bothering.
Guest post by Anna Ciesielska.
