Telehealth and what it can do for you….
December 1, 2020How can parents best facilitate communication with their children during this time?
Parenting during a pandemic and lockdown has become increasingly harder. With all the drastic changes of daily life it’s common for parents to start doubting their parenting abilities. No amount of reading can prepare you for how to handle the situation.
UNICEF and WHO have recently published some helpful guidelines on how to navigate this difficult time. Keeping it positive and praising your child when they have done something well, shows you have noticed and care. Practicing mindfulness can help you and your child to feel calmer and regain perspective when things start to become overwhelming.
Setting aside family time and bonding time with all your children, together & individually, on a regular basis can help them feel supported, understood and calmer. Setting a peaceful and safe family environment during stressful times will help with open communication. Be honest and be willing to talk. Set routines with sleep, meals, schoolwork and daily limits for social media and explain what certain news means (in a developmentally suited way for your child). Particularly young children benefit from reassurance of safety from their parents.
Teachers and parents are getting infected everyday with the rise of Covid-19 what would you say is the behaviour parents should look out for to see that something is wrong with their children?
You know your child the best and you will notice much earlier if something is wrong. Any signs of acute infection such as fever, cough, generalized body pains, headaches etc can cause a child to feel ill and lethargic. This can make them be more reserved than usual and not as active. They can become scared to tell you they have symptoms and make them withdraw or become angry and start acting out. Children can experience anxiety and panic just as acutely as adults and they can hide it better than adults. Hiding emotions doesn’t make them go away and this might blow up into emotional fears, anger or acting out. In older children these fears can lead to anxiety, depression or self-destructive behaviour like drug abuse, alcohol abuse or even suicide. On some level, it depends on how the family and the community respond to protecting the children’s’ well-being during this difficult time. There are going to be many children who are going to be fine after this tumultuous period and there are going to be some children who may have a more acute response. They may have symptoms initially, maybe trouble sleeping or increased worry or increased behavioural outbursts.
How would a parent know if the child is experiencing anxiety or is affected healthwise by the covid-19? what are the signs to look out for?
Some children are losing hope, they do not think their dreams are valid any more, they are losing parents and life’s uncertainty is driving them crazy. What would you say to those children and what help is available to them that you know of?
It’s essential that we respond to these children’s reactions in a supportive way, listen to their concerns and give them the extra time, love and attention. Listen to them and reassure them and if possible, make opportunities for the child to play and relax in a safe environment. Keep regular routines and schedules as far as possible, or help create new ones in a new environment including school. Alerting the teacher about your concerns and being in close communication with them. Asking for assistance from family, religious leaders and teachers can assist with reassuring the child they are not alone. Contacting local social workers, your local general practitioners as well as pediatricians, psychologists and psychiatrists can assist with any concerns parents have during this unpredictable times and being referred to the necessary pathways the child and family may require.