Tips For Children and Parents How to Adapt To Quarantine

During quarantine, many children feel lonely. Social distancing takes its toll. All people need real communication. While schooling at Zoom and social networking with friends helps kids keep in touch with their peers, it can't match the real-life communication that came before the quarantine. Children also get tired of computers or other electronic devices. 

In quarantine, they spend more time behind computer monitors, because now electronic gadgets have become for them both entertainment and the main educational tool. If earlier children loved to spend time at the computer, now many of them are simply tired of computers. And if earlier parents tried to distract the child from the computer, now, in the conditions of online learning, it becomes a problem for them to force the child to learn.

When Will Quarantine End?

Predictions of how the COVID-19 pandemic will evolve is constantly changing. Both children and parents find it difficult to accept the fact that the quarantine may continue, and in the new school year they will again have to remain isolated. Children and adults want to return to their pre-quarantine lifestyle. Uncertainty about the future and quarantine restrictions can trigger a wide range of emotions: boredom, frustration, anxiety, or sadness.

How to Adapt To Quarantine: Space for Creativity and Social Distancing

Most families were able to adapt to the quarantine conditions and get the most out of them. When children are forced to stay at home, the apartment can turn into an impromptu playground, movie theater, gym, or entertainment center. Some families take the risk of visiting their relatives, while the rest of the time they observe social distancing.

Some people admit that during the quarantine they became emotionally closer to their relatives, they began to understand them better and help each other. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. One way or another, quarantine is a good reason to rethink how we spend our time and how we deal with negative emotions.

Parents often seek to take full responsibility for their children and completely shield them from negative emotions. However, they will be of much greater benefit to children if they teach them to cope with different difficult situations on their own. In this way, children can become more resilient to life's difficulties. This quality is very important for their development.

Don't Try To Solve Child Problems, Just Listen to Him

Instead of shielding the child from problems or offering a solution, talk to the child. Let him talk freely about what he thinks and feels, and listen carefully. Support your child by letting him know that sometimes you can feel sad, angry, anxious, and other negative emotions.

Talk to your child about your feelings. Tell him about times you have had difficult times:

• Tell your child about the difficulties you have faced in life and how you overcame them;

• Convince the child that the quarantine will end sooner or later, but in the meantime, together you need to find ways to cope with negative emotions and get the most out of this situation;

• Tell your child that you are always ready to listen and support him when he feels bad or upset;

• Help your child determine what he can control in his life and what cannot, ask him how you together can improve the situation that has developed;

• Teach your child to come up with several options for getting out of the situation, and then choose the best option.

 During quarantine, the child can learn to solve minor everyday issues. This skill is very important for him in the future. Start with what your child is already good at and gradually build up the challenge. Let all family members be proud of how the child helps them cope with everyday issues.

Children Need a Routine and Time to Rest

Parents should provide their child with a stable home environment and daily routine. Take regular breaks between activities so that your child can relax or exercise a little. Host family dinners and have fun with the whole family. However, allow your child to be alone from time to time. Teach your child some meditation techniques so they can relax between sessions. Practice meditation yourself.

If you have multiple children, try to set aside time each day that you spend separately with each child. Also take time to be with your spouse. Many parents are concerned that their child may fall behind in school during the quarantine period. The school system has never been able to fully adapt to the new conditions. Quarantine came too suddenly, and the necessary resources were not always available for children and teachers.

Today, on the eve of the new school year, teachers cannot say exactly how it will go. Realize that you can’t really control your child’s learning. Let teachers organize the learning process. Your job is to meet the emotional needs of your child. Find activities for him that will help him have fun and will be beneficial to him.

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