The novel coronavirus outbreak is unchartered territory, leaving all of us struggling to process what is going on and what it means to us and our families.
And that’s just as true for kids as it is for adults. Maybe even more so – as children are asked to learn at home instead of school and maintain social distancing that separates them their friends.
So how should parents talk to their kids about the virus and how it is changing their world.
In this week’s Enlighten Me, Meghan Walls -a pediatric psychologist at Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children - joins us to offer some guidance.
Families are dealing with a “new normal” during the coronavirus outbreak, which can be confusing for kids suddenly learning at home and being away from friends.
And that can leave already stressed out parents grasping for answers when trying to help their children navigate the situation.
Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Pediatric psychologist Meghan Walls says honesty is the best policy when answering tough questions.
“Giving them the correct fair and honest answer, but we don't have to give kids these two hour conversations about this," said Walls. "And then giving them the opportunity by saying to them ‘Please come ask me questions if you have them, I'm happy to talk to you’ but not dwelling on it, so trying to find that balance is pretty tricky.”
She recommends parents check in with their kids periodically to answer any questions and be truthful if they don’t have the answers.
“For your older kids, it’s okay for teenagers, to have them involved with you so, ‘let’s go look together at a really reputable source’ versus ‘let's see what your friend put on Snapchat’ about whatever is going on because those are not the best ways to get information,” said Walls.
Older kids and teenagers who have access to their own phones or social media may be better able to cope with social distancing on their own. Walls encourages safe online options for younger kids, like FaceTime or Facebook’s Messenger for Kids to help them connect with friends.
Walls also suggests parents be mindful of what they say around kids - now that children are learning at home while parents are often working there too. That could allow kids to see more than they usually do - including parents’ stress.
And she urges parents to pay attention for any abnormal behaviors signalling a potential problem, such as over-eating, not sleeping or crying more.