East Hartford Youth Services Tips for Coping with the Pandemic
East Hartford, CT— The COVID-19 outbreak along with the ongoing social distancing has really turned people’s lives upside down. Family routines and daily rituals are hard to keep when dealing with sudden changes in school and work routines. Parents are taking on additional roles as teachers, while many are still working in some capacity. Many people, adult and children alike, are feeling a great deal of stress and anxiety. Social distancing can lead to social isolation, since youth and their families are feeling disconnected from the support of peers, school, groups and other trusted individuals within their communities. All of this can amplify feeling of depression, anxiety, stress, fear and uncertainty.
We know that daily routine and structure helps decrease anxiety, especially for children. The world on any given day is a big, scary place with lots of unknowns especially for young children. Children do well when they have a home, classroom and world with some predictability that gives them a sense of security. During this pandemic, families need to develop new rituals and structure for their children. In this new reality, it is important for parents to develop new:
- Structured morning routines. (wake time & breakfast time)
- Structured time for distance learning in an area of the home with limited distractions
- Structured mealtime routines
- Structured playtime
- Structured bedtime routines
- Reducing the time spent watching the news
As part of the new family routine, families should find activities that are comforting for children. Some examples are:
- Hearing their favorite Comfort music
- Watching their favorite comforting show or movie
- The family playing their favorite family game
Children and families are trying to process their emotions and manage anxiety during this coronavirus pandemic. It is clear that there is a need for children to talk about their fears and find ways to cope with this current reality. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and for children it especially important to have access to trusted adults (especially their parents/guardians) who will listen to their concerns, offer support, and give suggestions of ways to cope.
It is important for parents to take their children’s “emotional temperature.” Do this by asking how they are feeling as well as answering their questions in an honest, age appropriate way. Children have a need to “understand” what is happening, talk about their emotions, and to be reassured things will get better.
Parents need to be on the lookout for signs that your child may be feeling stressed. These include:
- Children becoming overly quiet and/or withdrawn.
- They may start “acting out” more than normal.
- Excessive crying or more easily frustrated.
- Fear and worry about family member’s health, especially those family members they cannot regularly see now such as grandparents.
- Problems with sleep and concentration
It is evident that this pandemic and social distancing will continue for an unknown, extended period. It is important to routinely check in with how your child is doing emotionally. If you feel that they, or you as a parent/guardian, need help or guidance to cope, East Hartford Youth Services staff are available by phone (860-291-7179) Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
We are happy to talk with you, share valuable information and resources and help families cope with this new reality. It is our aim to help and support youth and families of our community to get through this crisis while building resiliency to withstand ongoing emotional turmoil and an ability to recover quickly from the difficult conditions of the current pandemic.