What the Corona Virus is Doing to our Kids and How WE Can Help Them

“Mum, is dad dead?”
“What? No son, he’s just lying down in the other room.”
“I’m worried about him mum. He has the corona virus and he is very sick.”
“Don’t worry, he’s going to be ok son. We are fighting this.”
But mummy, I can’t hear him snoring. I’m scared he’s going to die.

Curled up in bed, I wrapped his little hands in mine, giving him a tight reassuring hug. “Everything is going to be ok son.”

Since we tested positive for the Corona virus over the weekend, Adriel, just 5 years old, hasn’t been himself. There are times when I would catch him sitting quietly thinking hard, and at other times he would suddenly come and tightly snuggle up next to me. He needs constant reassurance.

My heart breaks to see him this way. My mind races to the images flooding my social media timeline. Pictures of innocent, beautiful children whose mums and dads are now but memories. Surviving parents are now having to pull together all their strength, put on veiled confidence and a smile as they help their little ones navigate through the next chapter of their journey. I’m haunted by these images. My brain tells me to switch off from social media, but my heart reminds me that I can’t.

We are human after all. We feel. We hurt. We cry. Then, we try. We try to make the world a sunnier place for those who are hurting. It may be through a comforting message, a special delivery of flowers or meals. It may be through a prayer or a song. But we can’t ignore it. We simply cannot ignore what’s happening around us.  

It’s 9am and my husband is coughing in the bathroom. Gabriella, our 2 year old daughter, races out of bed, saying “Oh goodness oh goodness, what’s wrong?” She goes straight to the bathroom to check on her daddy.

As parents we cannot underestimate the impact Covid19 is having on the psyche of our little ones. As much as we try to watch our words, and unleash the tears only after they’re asleep, they sense our anxiety. They see our pain. When it feels like life is crumbling around us, they feel it too.

This week the worry was tangible, and Adriel opened up his heart to me. I managed to catch this bit, to give you an idea of the thoughts that may be flooding our children’s minds.

Click on this link to listen…

It’s important to talk to them and encourage them to ask questions. We may not know all the answers but engaging in discussion will help allay their fears and concerns.

There are some wonderful stories that have been written about the Coronavirus that we can read to our children. Here is a link to a few of them I’ve found online, that are available for free.

https://nycdoe.libguides.com/covid-19ebooks/free

Some of them are really amazing, and the adventures will definitely leave your kids feeling like superheroes!

In addition here are some tips for helping your children through this challenging time.

• Stay calm and reassuring. They will be more confident knowing that mum and dad have things under control.

• Let them know that you are always there if they want to talk about absolutely anything. Check in on them throughout the day by asking them how they are feeling.

• Remind them that most people have recovered from the virus and that you are doing everything in your power to make sure you will be well too.

• Create the environment for conversation. Make them a cup of tea or hot chocolate, then sit outside and just chat.

• Fill your home with psalms, hymns and prayer. The reading aloud of God’s Word and an affirmation of faith in times of fear will bring reassurance to both you and your kids. 

• Control what your kids are watching on TV or social media. Protect them from conversations you may be having on the phone with friends or family that may sow seeds of fear in them.

• Play with them. Encourage fun and laughter. A few tickles and some card games or a run in the sun will go a long way to helping them feel better.

And so, while the world is in chaos, let’s try to make our homes a garden of Eden for our children. Let’s allow them to laugh more, play more, and hey, a little more chocolate won’t do them too much harm.

Always remember that our thoughts, attitudes and actions are as infectious to our children as the coronavirus.

We will get through this – their little hands in ours. Together.