3 TIPS FOR TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT COVID-19

Navigating the uncharted territory of the COVID-19 pandemic is scary for us all – parents and kids alike. This new way of life (isolation, social distancing, quarantine) coupled with an overwhelming barrage of information from our TV sets and social media feeds can make it really hard for us to channel our inner parenting guru and make sure that the people we love most get through this pandemic with minimal collateral damage… hard – but not impossible. We owe it to our kids to at least try, and trying means doing our best to communicate what’s happening in the world right now in a way they can even kind of begin to wrap their heads around.

Here are some tips on how to talk to your wee little ones, pre-teens and teens about COVID-19.

Tip 1: Keep it Positive

Limit the negative, this is important for children of all ages. Running the news all day, constantly talking about the virus and death toll can have a lasting negative impact on our children. Instead focus on the positives, your safe at home, your healthy and your doing everything you can to protect yourselves from getting sick. If you are a parent that still has to go to work then reassure your children that you are taking this seriously and doing everything you can to stay healthy.

Help reassure children by saying things like:

“We can stay safe by washing our hands often and not getting close to people that are not in our family” or “We are all working as a community to help stop the spread.”

For older children you can explain how “there are different levels of government and they are all doing their part to help stop the spread, keep people safe and healthy.” Go over what the governments are doing on a National, Provincial and city level with your child.

“I can see your worried; how lucky are we to have each other right now?”

The key is to focus on the positive as much as possible.

Tip 2: Stick to the Truth(ish)

It is important to be honest with your children when they have questions about Covid-19; it is also paramount that you manage how much you share according to your child. Not all children need full disclosure of the facts. Be conscious of how your children are feeling right now. No one knows your children better than you so if you have a sensitive child or if your child displays fear and trepidation then tailor your conversations with them to reflect comfort, security and empathy. You do not have to agree with or even rationalize their fears. You simply listen, empathize, reassure and redirect.

Tip 3: Pretend like you’re not losing your shit – even if you secretly are (which is a perfectly valid reaction to our current reality, BTW)

In times like these, it’s understandable to feel less than zen, but when your kids are around: fake it ‘til you make it. Modelling behaviour you want your children to adopt is the best way to help them learn to navigate through their feelings. When you’re watching the news, show your children that you are calm. Be mindful of your body language and what you say out loud to others. This can mean saving that conversation about your thoughts and fears for when your child is no longer in ear shot. Children (including teens) are reassured when parents show that though they may be worried, they are still calm and not over reactive.

Pandemic or no pandemic, try to remind yourself that a child’s existence is inherently chaotic and it is our job as parents to be a source of calm. This, however, is easier said than done (even under normal circumstances), so don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like you’re screwing it all up (you’re probably doing way better than you think!). Remember that we are all navigating this uncharted territory together and all we can do is our best under these bizarre circumstances.

This post was written by Rommy Misura – a conscious parenting coach from Toronto, Canada. She is a mama of three with a career background in highschool education and a passion for helping parents forge deeper connections with their kids. You can get in touch with her directly by emailing [email protected] or following her *brand new* Instagram account @coachrommy.

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