Supporting your kids through COVID-19

The uncertainty around the COVID crisis can be upsetting for anyone. Kids and teens can have an even harder time handling this stress.

It’s important to recognize when your children may be experiencing serious stress.

Signs may include:

• Changes in eating or sleeping
• Acting clingy, withdrawn or anxious
• Trouble paying attention or concentrating
• Headaches or other body aches with no explanation
• Withdrawing from school or activities they used to enjoy
• Going back to behaviors they’ve grown out of, like bedwetting
• Excessive crying or being irritable, as well as “acting out” such as outbursts of anger
• Teens may turn to alcohol, tobacco or other drug use.

Here are some things you can do to help

1. Share information. Talk with your children about COVID-19 explaining things at their level. Listen and answer any questions they may have.

2. Help them feel secure. Be reassuring about their safety. Validate their feelings — it is OK to feel upset. You can also share how you manage stress to help them learn from you.

3. Define boundaries. Limit exposure to news coverage. This includes social media. Make sure your children know they can ask questions at any time.

4. Create regular routines. If there is a school closure, set a regular schedule for learning, making sure to include fun activities, too.

5. Set a good example. Show your children ways to stay healthy during a quarantine. Maintain healthy eating habits, and get plenty of rest and physical activity.

6. Stay connected. Establish how you’ll communicate with friends and family through available methods — text, phone calls, over the internet or even through letters in the mail.

If you are concerned about how stress may be affecting your child, speak with your child’s doctor for guidance.