Just in case you are wondering if telling your children or wards about the current global pandemic is the way to go, quit wondering because children have the right to be aware of the happenings around them. Gone are the days when parents thought they were protecting their children from seeming harm by not bringing them up to speed. These days, without news flooding everywhere about the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s wise to inform and educate them. Silence and secrets have never and will not protect our children. Honesty and openness will.
Below are some tips on how to help them cope and keep safe in these times:
- Find out what your child/ward already knows. You may want to ask questions that make you know whether they are aware of their environment. For example, what are you hearing about corona virus? Do you have any questions about it? Or do you know about the new sickness in town? You can then go ahead with the conversation around it.
- Give a listening ear. This is not the season to be impatient. You need to give a listening ear to your children/wards. Remember, no question is dumb.
- Be honest. Do not sugar coat anything. Answer their questions truthfully. It’s actually okay not to know. If this is the case, arm yourself with necessary information by checking through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) website for verified information about COVID-19 or other trust worthy websites like UNICEF, WHO to mention but a few.
- Teach them what to do by also doing it consistently with them while explaining to them why you do what you do.
- Explain the concept of social distancing, hand washing, and the use of face masks
- Have a positive mindset. It’s hard to feel positive when our children are driving us crazy. Children are much more likely to do what we ask if we give them positive instructions and lots of praise for what they do right.
- Be real. Ask yourself, “Can my child/children actually do what I am asking them to do?” It is very hard for a child to keep quiet for a whole day, however, maybe he/she can keep quiet for at least 20 minutes while you are on a call. So, get real.
- In this COVID era, children, especially teenagers want to be able to communicate with their friends. You need to help them stay connected through social media and other safe distancing ways albeit with adequate supervision.
For some of us who have domestic staff, these tips also apply to them. They have the right to know, so as to be able to also cope with changes in instructions. You and your family don’t want to be exposed unintentionally to Coronavirus. Let’s keep on keeping safe.
This article is coming your way also to celebrate our children. Children are God’s best Gifts. Happy Children’s Day!
