We are all currently facing some challenges during lockdown, some more than others. We are focusing on how to keep ourselves safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and it can be difficult to focus on how to enhance our health and wellbeing. We must also not forget the importance of the parent-child relationship and how this impacts our emotional wellbeing.
The COVID-19 outbreak has created turmoil and put a stop to our daily routines. As adults we are finding this very distressing. Children may not understand it to the same extent, but they are also experiencing sudden changes that may have a negative impact on their wellbeing. School closure, missing friends, cancelled holidays and birthday parties, tragical loss of loved ones, are some of the difficulties they could be facing.
Many parents are dealing with work uncertainty, looking after their children, as well as home-schooling them. It is easy to become agitated and find it difficult to manage your child’s behaviour, specifically when trapped indoors. Make sure you praise your child, give them a hug and some attention. Maintaining a balanced and positive family environment, particularly in the current situation, is paramount for everyone in the family.
It is important that they complete the homework that has been assigned to them, but also include an element of interactive family activities. A healthy relationship between parent and child is crucial for the child’s wellbeing and helps them to regulate adverse feelings. Feeling happy and safe at home, has a particular positive impact on children’s emotional health.
Even though daily routines have significantly changed it’s important we set daily routines for our children, especially as we don’t know when the schools will reopen. Ensure that you all have a healthy balanced diet and carry out some daily exercise. You may have seen a change in your child’s behaviour, this could be due to anxiety caused by uncertainty and the sudden changes in their lives. Have compassion for them, but don’t forget the importance to challenge bad behaviour. Eventually they will be going back to school and we want to make sure we are encouraging independence, routines, boundaries and good conduct during these difficult times.
Don’t be hard on your parenting skills and let that add to your stress and worries. Look after your physical as well as emotional wellbeing and stay positive. This is a temporary state and we hope to come out of this more resilient as a family and a nation.
Written by Fi Ramos, Public Health Nurse & First Aid Instructor at Act2care.
Information on this site is evidence based and provided to create awareness and advice only. If you are worried about a condition, seek medical advice.
Theoretical first aid tips are beneficial, however practical demonstrations and exercises are necessary for gaining high standard of first aid knowledge and skills.
If you are interested in gaining first aid skills, contact Fi to find our more about our paediatric first aid classes at info@act2care.co.uk