Well, it’s here, and it’s impacting everyone.  Schools and businesses are closed. Events are cancelled.  Supermarkets have empty shelves. Not to mention the unknowns surrounding the virus itself.  It’s a lot for us, as parents, to take in. Can you imagine being six (or eight or nine or thirteen…) years old and trying to wrap your head around all of this?  It’s time to think about our children’s health, not only physical but mental as well. You’re washing hands and socially distancing them, but equally important is their mental health and well being. We have a responsibility to talk to our children on a level they can understand, to help minimize their fear and anxiety.

Stay Calm.  We’re all better off with a calm mindset.  If you must panic, don’t let your children hear or see it!  Kids take in more than you think they do. They look to us in times of uncertainty.  If you – their parent, their rock, are in a talespin – so too will be your child.

Answer their questions thoughtfully, honestly and at an age-appropriate level.  There’s no need to quote mortality rates to a five year old.  It is important to dilute the facts to give them a clearer understanding.  “The truth is Little Johnny, we don’t know a lot about the virus, because it’s new.  However, we do know it is similar to the flu, causing fever and cough. And the scientists are working very hard studying it to find medications that will help the sick people and a vaccine to prevent it.  And since we’re all staying home from school and work, not as many people will get it. And the good news is that kids aren’t getting this virus as much as some other viruses around.”

As for the teens, who might hear or read some scary headlines and statistics, it’s just as important to have a conversation with them.  Ask them what (or who) they’re concerned about, and what they don’t understand. Answer their questions or even if they deny having questions, just reassure them everyone is doing their best to control this situation.

Try to keep some sort of routine or normalcy.  I know how difficult this is, without school, with parents working from home, with no after school activities to fill our schedules!  Try to maintain normal mealtimes, bedtimes and bedtime routines. Most schools are providing schoolwork for kids while at home. Make sure they do it!  Encourage your children to read and read to them. Monitor screen times. (AAP recommends no more than 2 hours per day of all screens combined, after age 5).  

Get outdoors!  Nature and exercise both release endorphins that make all of us feel better.  Take a bike ride. Have a catch in the yard. Go on a family hike or nature walk (click here for some ideas).  Play basketball in the driveway.  Take the dog for a walk. The spring weather is in our favor!

Spend time together.  Use the next few weeks to reconnect with each other.  Play board games and do puzzles together (click here for some of my favorites).  Build with Legos, magnet tiles and blocks.  Art is therapy! Baking together is a great way to use math in daily life. Making meals together encourages healthy eating habits. Go through old clothes and toys and put together bags to donate, reiterating compassion and generosity.  Spending time together benefits our children as well as ourselves. Take advantage of this extra time.

By doing these things your kids will remember this as a time well spent as opposed to a time they felt scared and afraid.  Keep the dialogue open for them. Answer their questions. Stay calm and they will be reassured. Let’s make the best of this situation.  We WILL get through this!