“How to help kids cope with uncertainty in another pandemic year”
It’s hard to believe that we have entered our THIRD year of the COVID-19 pandemic! It has completely turned our lives upside down. Our kids have done a remarkable job thus far of adapting to all the changes, but it’s only natural that their sense of security and stability may have been rocked of late. After all, we know that children thrive on predictability and routine… things that have been sorely missing in the COVID-19 era.
I’m sure I’m not alone in having ended 2021 on a very different note to how I ended 2020. I remember sitting at a work Christmas function in 2020, where we all mused about how those lockdown days were behind us, and how amazing 2021 was to be. As well all know, that was sadly a naïve attitude to have, and one I no longer had when 2021 wrapped up! The only thing that is certain is uncertainty… which is scary.
So how do we support our kids to buffer whatever 2022 decides to throw at us? Here are a few suggestions:
- TALK: Encourage your child to talk about what they are thinking and feeling and validate whatever that might be. Some children may need assistance in labelling the emotions they are experiencing (e.g., “I’ve noticed that your tummy is sore before you go to school. Are you feeling nervous?”)
- CONSISTENCY: As much as possible, try to ensure consistency at home in terms of routines and schedules.
- PREPARATION: Prepare your child for how school may look similar to, or different from, last year. This might include discussions around wearing masks, having air purifiers in the classroom, or that classmates or teachers might be away.
- CONTROL: Encourage your child to focus on what they have control over; that is, their own behaviours, such as wearing their mask correctly, taking their RATs as instructed, and washing their hands regularly.
- WHAT WORKED BEFORE? Remind them of the difficult situations they have already managed in the past, and what they found helpful at those times.
- THEY’RE NOT ALONE: Emphasise that the adults around them will be trying their best to keep things as ‘normal’ as possible. No matter what, their parents, teachers and other caregivers will be looking out for them.
- ADAPT: Let your child know it’s okay to be disappointed when things don’t go to plan and have to be cancelled. Talk about how you might be able to reimagine these events or do something special at home instead.
Good luck to all the parents and children out there getting back to ‘COVID normal’ education. I hope these tips help you all to “expect the unexpected” and get back on-track if we temporarily veer off-course!
Olivia has a special interest in eating disorders and is passionate about ensuring young people with this presentation receive appropriate and effective supports. In recent times she has completed training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Circle of Security Parenting, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) and Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (FBT). Olivia strives to build warm and collaborative relationships with children, adolescents, parents and other professionals involved in a child’s life, including allied health providers and teachers.