Families and Children all through Alamance County – Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Saxaphaw, Snow Camp, Elon, etc are feeling the affects of COVID-19. Parents are struggling to find activities and camps for the summer, worrying every moment about their jobs and kids – Kids are worrying about when they can see friends, will they ever have another normal birthday party, will they get to go on that promised trip this summer. Let’s talk about ways to understand the emotions of our kids and how to help them.
As the pandemic carries on, our coping skills are starting to unravel. For many people, this has become the ultimate emotional test. As we continue to maintain our distance from each other, not only have our social lives been halted, but our emotional support is wavering as well. And while we have been living this reality this for some time, it is not getting any easier. In fact, it is getting a bit harder, especially for children. Although some things are beginning to resemble a little more “normal”, it is not completely back to what kids know and makes them feel secure. In order to mitigate this emotional imbalance, it is important to put things into place to help them feel more stable.
Understanding that feelings and responses to the same pandemic are going to vary from person to person is important. Parents need to take time to reassure their children that all emotions are okay and that what they are feeling is normal. There is no right way to cope. What parents can do is begin implementing the first four, of eight, parent tips to support their children’s emotional development during this time.