If you’re a parent, you’re likely looking for ways to help your kids feel safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Right now, their lives are a little upside down, and while some kids handle disruptions to their schedules better than others, but we can all agree this can feel a bit scary.
But we’re not called to live in fear, and as parents, there are beautiful ways to bring assurance right now.
So, here are five ways to help your kids feel safe in a world full of uncertainty.
#1: Validate Their Feelings
Kids have lots of feelings, and they’re usually pretty big. When my oldest son has trouble keeping it together, my husband and I look at each other and say, “Well, he’s having some big feelings, isn’t he?”
It’s important to remember that your kids are likely having a lot of big feelings right now. They’re out of school. They can’t go to the playground. They’re hearing whispers about a virus that’s making people sick. This isn’t easy for us, and it’s definitely not easy for them.
So, validate your child’s current feelings. They might be feeling sad, scared, frustrated, or even bored. All those feelings are allowed, and it’s crucial they know that.
If they’re feeling worried, give them a hug and say, “I can see you’re feeling worried. That’s okay, I feel worried sometimes, too.” Or, if they’re frustrated, stop to ask, “Are you okay? You seem frustrated, how can I help?”
Empathy is your best first response when your child is scared or upset. A soft word, a warm hug, a demonstration of understanding all activate oxytocin in your child’s brain—and helps them feel safe.
#2: Help Your Child Understand What’s Going On – and Why
If your child is anything like mine, they simply want to know: “What’s going on?!”
Pretending there’s no problem mostly creates confusion, uncertainty, insecurity, anxiety, and worry. Facing the problem, together, helps us find peace and take appropriate action.
By taking the time to explain, in kid-friendly terms, what the Coronavirus is and why we’re staying home to “fight” it, your child can hopefully channel their fears of the unknown into healthier thoughts and actions.
A conversation with my six-year-old went something like this:
Him: “Why do we have to stay home?”
Me: “There’s a virus (that’s like an itty-bitty bug) that’s getting in people’s bodies and making them sick. The virus can jump from one person to another (especially if someone coughs or sneezes and then touches something). But if we stay home and away from other people, the virus can’t move from one person to another.”
Him: “What happens if it gets in your body?”
Me: “For most people, they get sick in a way that feels like a cold – maybe a fever, coughing, and your body can hurt. But for other people, especially older people like our neighbors, they can get so sick they have to go to the hospital. It can be hard for them to breathe. And (this part makes me really sad), some people die from the virus.”
Him: “They can die? That’s sad, Mama.”
Me: It is sad. And that’s why we’re staying home and always washing our hands. We want to keep from getting sick, and more importantly, we want to keep our neighbors from getting sick.
Understanding won’t necessarily protect your child from feeling scared, but your relationship does. Hearing this from you, along with a hug, can make a big difference.
#3: Pray Together
The world feels like a very uncertain place right now, doesn’t it? The truth is, it always is and always has been. It’s why God reminds us to focus our eyes on Him. He is our Rock.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
Spending time quieting our minds and leaning into our loving God is a beautiful way to ease a worried heart.
With my boys, we like to lay in bed with our heads together (the closer the better!) We talk about what’s worrying us, things we’re thankful for, and then speak truths about God.
“He loves us.”
“He never leaves us.”
“He hears us.”
And then we pray.
If your child is feeling uneasy right now, when you pray together, ask God to hear your fears and ease them. Remind them to pray for all those helping fight the virus. And pray words of thankfulness for the blessings in your life. It can do wonders for a weary soul.
#4: Encourage Serving Others
While kids might not love picking up after themselves, we know they’re not helpless.
Being able to lend a hand right now can help your kids feel like they’re a part of the solution, instead of only worrying about the problem.
Many of us can’t leave our houses, but there are many ways to help our kids love and serve others right now.
Some of my favorite ways I’ve seen families serving together include bringing elderly neighbors groceries so they don’t risk getting sick from the grocery store, sewing masks for healthcare workers, and raising money for relief organizations.
Like most of us, kids can appreciate getting out of their own heads for a while. By engaging them in service, kids can quiet their worries and feel like they’re doing something to help right now.
#5: Try to Keep Some Normalcy
Let’s be honest. Things aren’t normal right now. And this can make your kids feel anxious or scared.
While you don’t have to pretend everything is okay, it can be helpful to hold onto whichever bits of normalcy you can.
Do you have a steady morning routine of getting dressed and brushing teeth? Keep at it.
Do you always eat dinner at the table together? Make sure everyone’s seated and feeling hungry.
Do Friday nights mean a movie and pizza? Order in and pick a favorite flick.
You can even bring normal interactions, like play dates, into this new quarantine life.
Allow your kids to connect with friends and family outside the house via technology. Facetime and video messaging is an incredible way to help them feel grounded.
Of course, not everything will be normal (let’s be honest, my kids are going to bed later than usual right now), but there are small ways to bring normalcy back into your kids lives. When kids are surrounded by things they recognize, it can go a long way in helping them feel safe.
Let’s Be Gracious
Above all, be extra gracious and full of snuggles during this time. With emotions running high, your child will have good days and bad days.
Love a little extra on their “bad” days. Remember, your kids aren’t “giving you a hard time;” instead, they’re having a hard time. This is a difficult time for everyone. We must give our children the grace to struggle and to know we’re here for them through it.
Give them a hug. Tell them you know things are different right now. Let them know it’s okay to feel sad.
With you by their side and their hope in a loving God, we’ll all get through this, together.
Are you interested in finding ways to help more children in unsafe situations around the world?
You can learn more about World Concern’s programs and, together with your child, give today.
About the Author:
Heather Nelson is World Concern’s One Village Transformed Communications Coordinator. She connects supporters to their village through the stories of change and transformation they make possible.
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