At this time of uncertainly, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I would like to share some of my experiences with anxiety, and hopefully, they may help you, as a parent. I am not a scientist or a doctor, but I experienced a very traumatic event at birth, which led to many years of suffering with anxiety. In my forties, I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. The reason I share this information is that some children may experience this pandemic as a traumatic event. I know from personal and professional experience, some of the ways anxiety occurs, what it may look like, and how caring adults can make a difference.
What causes anxiety in one child may not in another. From what I know, it could be anything extremely stressful. Honestly, school being cancelled could be a traumatic event, for some. As well, a chaotic home life, where people do not know what might happen next can be unsettling. Anxiety can also be a learned behavior. All of which may be a factor in this COVID-19 crisis.
A child will tell you he or she is anxious through their behavior. As a teacher, I would see students put their hoods up, wrap themselves up in their yoga mats, and even hide under their desks. Trying to avoid a situation may be anxiety. For myself, fighting bedtime as a young child was a common occurrence, I feel like I have always had sleep issues. A child who experiences headaches and stomach issues may be trying to tell you something. A certain amount of these behaviors could be reasonable, but being aware is important. Any change in behavior is something to pay attention to and think about what is causing any concerning development.
Right now, your children are looking to you for guidance on how to deal with this world crisis. Are you modelling a sense of hope, or are you showing fear and worry? I know this is hard, but changing our vocabulary right now from one of doom to one of resilience, will have a massive impact on your children. If you experience anxiety, know that there can be a genetic link. Find accurate information and talk about it. I have seen this shared on Facebook so often lately, but it needs to repeating. Yes, there should be learning experiences happening right now, but you do not need to recreate a school setting in your home. This is an opportunity to teach your child coping skills. Do yoga! Encourage free play! Most importantly, pay attention to your children, spending quality time together will ease their fears.
At this time of uncertainly, anxiety is a reality. Your child’s demeanor may be noticeably different, in a negative way. He or she may not know what is causing his or her unusual behavior. For you, being aware, empathic and a loving adult will make a difference.
