COVID-19 has not just affected adults but children too. Apart from infection from virus, they are restricted to their homes, and can’t go out to play or socialize. This has created a negative impact on their brain and may also affect their mental health on a long term. Children and teens have been particularly getting more anxiety and depression in these last two years. This new variant Omicron has brought tension once again. It is responsibility of their parents to make them understand and support them in this tough phase. Parents are caregivers and a big support; hence we have some tips for parents to help their children during this COVID-19 pandemic.
How Does COVID-19 Affect Children?
We talked to Dr. Tanu Chowdhury, Clinical Psychologist from Healthcare Clinic, Lucknow to tell about the affect of COVID pandemic on children. She told us that mental health of children at this stage is a cause of concern for many parents because children have been confined to a limited space. This has led children to become more irritated at times as they cannot explore outside world. Especially for children of age group 3-9 years, it is comparatively very difficult, because they do not want to stay in a confined space.
Also another factor which troubles them is constant pressure and uncertainty of activities. Parents restrict them for playing, going out to their friends, or having market cooked food. All this constantly puts them into anxiety which affects their mental health and limits their cognitive ability as well.
Parenting Tips to Support Children During COVID Pandemic
Here are some points, parents can opt for in their routine to support their children in this COVID-19 pandemic. Especially with Omicron coming in, it is important you follow these tips. It will help both them and their kids to have a better mental health.
1. Focus on Relationship with your children
Most of the parents get so clinical about doing the right things and instructing their children to do activities in a certain manner, that they forget the main objective. The objective is to build a good relationship that could nurture them into good individuals. If you constantly put their lives in a robotic routine, then this will affect your relationship with your child, and hence become more problematic to live together.
2. Try to get involved in Their Activities
Another important thing is to support them in their daily activities. Since they cannot go out to play, make a schedule to spend some playful time with them by organizing some fun activity or sport with them. This will put your kid’s brain at work; increase his cognitive and motor development skills. It will also give them a sense of relaxation and good sleep after they have been involved in some fun activity which involves physical movements, etc. Try to be a part of the sports activity so that they do not miss going out and playing with their friends.
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3. Stop Comparison
It is one of the most basic and regular habit of parents to compare their children with others. Not just in performance, but also with behavior, routine, habits and much more. This is particularly very frustrating for children, and apart from having a healthy competition, it makes children anxious. Hence it is recommended to stop comparing your children with other and help them to be better human beings. Support them by praising them in small activities they do, encourage them to get involved in more problem-solving assessments, etc. This will make their pandemic easier and happier.
4. Forget “should” for sometime
Should is an instructive word which means imposing an idea to do a certain job. This “should” be avoided during this pandemic for the least because it could be putting more pressure on your children, who are already at unrest. This will also enhance your relationship with your kids because they may stop fearing you, and being more open towards advice. Treat them as responsible teenagers so that they realize their importance and take things seriously even with polite instructions.
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5. Don’t let your stress go on your children
Nobody wants their children to get stressed about issues which they are facing as parents. This is one of the most negative emotions which may enter your home during this COVID-19 pandemic. Since you are around your children for most of the time, it may be possible that they overhear you and get stressed about your problems or issues. This could impact their brain a big level which might affect their innocence.
Another important factor in this is that you need not always keep getting stressed about things. It is a tough phase for everyone, analyze your situation, problems and give yourself proper time. This will help you reduce stress and increase your mental strength, which is most important in this time.
6. Avoid arguments
Arguments are a negative term which actually impacts your relationship with another individual. This is also the case with kids, if you keep arguing with them on small things, they may try to limit themselves in front of you. This is the last thing you want in this pandemic. Children do not have option to talk about their problems to many people, if you keep arguing with them, they would restrain from telling you anything. This situation may take them into depression which could be very harmful for their health and body. Hence try to solve situations with understanding and listening carefully.
- Be polite with your children
- Listen to them carefully
- Understand what they are trying to advocate
- Resolve their issues
- Avoid the situation, if the argument is getting intense
- Try to breathe and let things ease up
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