Children & The Pandemic
‘It takes a village to raise a child’ - African Proverb
Just like that in 2020 our village was taken away. At times it has felt tough, lonely, exhausting, chaotic, overwhelming, simple, beautiful, a nice change of pace, lost, sad, happy the list goes on.
Whatever we have felt, or are still feeling it is all relative and justified. To all the parents who have had a new baby in the pandemic and haven’t been able to introduce them to their friends and families, are homeschooling their children, are missing loved ones, are longing for social events, postponing weddings, not attending funerals, are wanting to see family interstate, are essential workers, are working parents, are stay at home parents, people who have lost their jobs or people who simply miss having things to look forward to. I feel you.
The world feels like a shitty place right now. Although we trust the process and know things will improve, some days feel more challenging than others. Our little humans are also feeling the change and are coping with the pandemic in their own unique way. Trying to make sense of lockdowns, people wearing masks, closed playgrounds, cancelled formals, no sleepovers, no friends, no family, no sport, no school and they too are burnt out. When we went into the most recent lockdown, I told my two children. My four-year-old cried because it meant Kmart would be closed, and my two year old said ‘lock down daycare’ as being a child of an essential worker she knows she still goes to daycare in lockdown. Crazy.
So what can we do to help ourselves feel better?
Now more than ever as parents and career’s we need to look after ourselves so we can help our children navigate these ‘unprecedented times’ for (fingers crossed) the last time.
We are the only people that can give them happy healthy parents and a loving support network. Take the time to do the small things for yourself. Exercise, go for a walk, read a book, make a hot coffee and finish it whilst hot (easier said than done), get enough sleep (also easier said than done), talk to a friend. Prioritise anything that makes you feel happy.
Looking after our little humans in a pandemic is exhausting. As adults we are drained and exhausted. Imagine how they are feeling. Have you noticed they pick up on everything? I had the TV on in the background the other day and the daily press conference came on. My son yelled out ‘ mum its spreading’. I turned it off. Switch off the news, it makes everyone feel better. If it is important enough you will hear about it.
When parenting in a pandemic there are no rules, take each day at a time. Explain to our little humans what is happening in simple terms. Share the information you think your child needs to know. You may have noticed their behaviour is a little off; this is their way of communicating their exhaustion and anxiety to these uncertain times.
So what can we do to help our little humans?
Try simple things to make them feel safe and supported.
Stay in a routine as much as you can.
Help them eat well
Prioritise their sleep
Take them outdoors to play, ride a bike, kick the footy
Connect with friends and family near and far using technology
Send letters
Have a pyjama day
Connect through play
Use screens when needed.
Remember nothing is off limits. You have got this. Before we know it our village will be back and our lives will feel whole again. Until then below are some resources that might help you and your little humans.
“Now, lie down and dream of tomorrow and all the things that we can do
And who knows, if you dream hard enough, maybe some of them will come true.”
From The Great Realisation by Tom Foolery.