Children and COVID 19: A day in the life from a child’s perspective. | Whitehouse Psychotherapy
Children and COVID 19: A day in the life from a child’s perspective.
By Shelley Whitehouse|
Published: 17 September 2023 |
20 min read
I wake up, open my eyes and wonder what day it is…. I realize that it’s Wednesday. Each day feels the same though and I wonder if my Parents will have the news on already when I go down for breakfast. I realize that this will be another day I will not be able to see my friends or my Teacher. It’s very strange time to be a child dealing with COVID 19. I hope that I can at least do a FaceTime call with my Bestie.
I head downstairs and hear the all too familiar sound of the morning news. I hear the same old topic that I hear every day now for the past 3 months. COVID “numbers”. COVID “death count”. Reminders that I can not leave my house, go to the park, go shopping with my Mom….Go anywhere! I am stuck at home and Oh Yeah! I also have to do my dreaded online learning today! I hate this online learning! Nothing makes sense, I can’t even see my Teacher because she isn’t doing anything live online. I only receive basic instructions for my learning and I never understand it.
How am I supposed to do my assignments properly if I don’t even know what I am doing?! I want to see my Teacher’s face and hear my Teacher’s voice. I want to connect with her again.
As I read my Google classroom updates, I find out that my favourite librarian is retiring and my gym Teacher is leaving to another school. I will never get a chance to say Good-Bye to either of them because I am stuck here at home and they will be gone in September if we get to go back. Great! Another loss!
Now as I try to do my work, I hear my Mom and Dad talking about new restrictions to our daily living. I hear about how my Mom is struggling with Cooking, cleaning, working, shopping, helping me with this homework of which I have no real instruction.
Mom and Dad don’t know how to do this math and are just as frustrated if not more than I am about it. Money issues are being discussed. They think I am not listening but I am. I’m worried about money now too. What if my Parents can’t afford to pay for our house? Food? My brother is now staying home instead of going to University in September. He is upset about not being on campus. He has lost out on his Graduation and his Prom and he is sad and very angry. I watch how he deals and struggles with this as well. I look around and everything has changed. Everyone is scared. I am scared. I want to shut down all of these overwhelming feelings.
Eventually, my Mom notices that my behaviour has drastically changed.
What does she notice?
I have become addicted to technology. I’m on it 8-10 hours each day. (Mom has been busy working, cooking, cleaning, managing a zillion things.. she didn’t notice and if she did, she didn’t have time to re-direct me anyways.
I have become grumpy and very short tempered. I snap and have attitude constantly and I really never reacted this way before this whole lockdown situation.
I am not taking proper care of my body. I sit on my butt most of the day and really don’t want to do anything except veg on the couch and on technology. (I am numbing out)
I have stopped doing any of my chores with out being reminded a million times and then Mom and I argue about how I am not doing them. Mom is mad. She is handling so much as it is but I just don’t feel like doing anything. I stomp off and do my chores but I don’t want to do them.
I spend hours on Roblox building clothing outfits and accessory options obsessively because this reminds me of going shopping for clothes with my Gramma and having such a good time out with her. At least if I can do these games online it feels a little bit like going to the mall and shopping.
The one highlight of my week is going to my best friend’s driveway to visit her. We do dances in the driveway to music from her house. This is the only connection I have with a friend, for 3 months now!
I have no idea when this will end. Maybe it will be like this forever… What is happening to our world? To my life? I’m so scared….
This is the reality of children and COVID 19 and the experience they have to go through right now and for the past 3 months.
What can I do to help my child through this Pandemic?
Help your child speak openly about how they are feeling. Let them know that having all of these types of feelings and emotions are completely normal and you are here to help them be with these emotions and work through them.
Guide your child to pay attention to the “felt sense” in their bodies. Ask them to notice the places that feel tight, stuck, open, relaxed. Ask them about what they notice about these sensations. Simply have them inquire into their body and be curious about what comes up.
The purpose of this activity is to have them focus on their body so that they can feel grounded within themselves rather than distracted outside of their body or numbing out in different ways.
It is important to help them learn to bring the focus back to themselves in times of anxiety or stress rather than learning that the answer to their discomfort will come from outside of themselves.
Helping teach our children how to self regulate is the goal here.
Provide your child with tools to help them manage their anxiety. Below are some tips on some of these activities.
Have your child practice breathing with the following pattern. Take a nice deep breathe in through your nose to a slow count of four, hold the breath for the slow count of four and exhale to the slow count of four. Reminding them to breathe deeply into their diaphragm, rather than their chest.
While they are practicing this breathe, have them focus on relaxing all of the muscles in their body, from the top of their head down to their toes.
Encourage your child to breathe deeply in through their heart center while focusing on their feeling of love for a pet or animal that they love while they breathe in.
As your child is focusing on breathing slowly and deeply, have them tap gently back and forth from their right knee to their left knee. A back and forth tapping pattern. Left, right, left, right. They can also tap their stomach or beat gently on a drum even. Tossing a ball back and forth from left to right is helpful can be helpful as well.
As your child practices their slow deep breathing have them try full tensing and then fully relaxing their muscles. They can start this exercise with their face, their shoulders and arms, their stomach and then work down through their body to their feet. First, they will squeeze their muscles tight for 3-5 seconds and then completely relax those muscles for 3-5 seconds. When they finish this exercise at their toes they can take a few minutes to release any remaining tension from their body while practicing their deep diaphragmatic breathing.
Ask your child what is worrying them or causing them anxiety. Guide your child to choose a space in front of them to stare at. Ask them to picture the word white and the work black in the space they are starting. Suggest they focus on the space which is in between the two words. Have them do this for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then guide them to visualize the empty space inside a coffee cup for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Next, have them close their eyes and envision the area of space in between their eye brows for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Now see if they can visualize the space in between their ears for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Lastly, see if they can place the issue that is worrying them out in front of them. Have them focus on the space around it and then as if they are a drone, have them back away from the worry slowly for about 30 seconds. Ask them to notice how worried they actually are about that concern now. Now you can remind them that they are the space around the worry. They themselves are so much bigger than this worry. Remind them how small their worry is compared to all of the space around it.
What Else can I do for my Children during COVID 19?
If you still feel that your child continues to struggle it may be a good idea to engage professional mental health support from a Psychotherapist or Psychologist.
These are very difficult times for everyone and especially our children and teenagers. Their brains are not even developed enough to assist them in coping with these strange and scary times. They are also experiencing their care givers in different ways than they are used to and this can cause insecurity and instability.
Let’s be Patient!
Let’s try to be extra patient with our little ones during these times. “Patience is a virtue” as they say and definitely beneficial for our children. It is definitely not an easy time for them as their reality shifts dramatically due to COVID 19. Maybe spending some time breathing for ourselves and remaining calmer can help us feel better as well? It wouldn’t hurt to try these techniques for ourselves! 😊
Always make sure to look at the Medical side of things!
Last but not least, here is a great and concise list of symptoms that relate to COVID 19 and children from caringforkids your child’s health should be at the forefront!
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Why would my child need Child Behavioural Therapy?
Child Behavioural Therapy is recommended if your child exhibits disruptive or negative behaviours that impact their well-being and social interactions.
5 ways in which Child Behavioural Therapy can help:
2. Enhances Social Skills: Fosters better social interactions through role-playing and social skill training.
3. Behavioural Issues: Addresses specific behavioral issues such as aggression, non-compliance, and impulsivity.
4. Empowers Decision Making: Helps children make positive choices independently.
5. Strengthens Parent-Child Relationship: Offers strategies for parents to support and reinforce positive behaviors at home.
How does Child Behavioural Therapy work?
Child Behavioral Therapy involves structured sessions where a therapist works with a child to pinpoint the reasons behind their behavior. Using practical techniques, the therapist helps the child recognize triggers and develop better coping mechanisms. This approach teaches essential skills like emotional regulation and problem-solving, leading to positive changes in the child’s behavior and daily interactions.
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Child Assessments
Why would my child need an assessment?
Child Assessments are essential if there are concerns about your child’s development, emotional well-being, or cognitive skills. They help in understanding your child’s needs to provide tailored support and interventions.
5 ways in which a Child Assessment can help:
1. Identifies Developmental Milestones: Tracks whether your child is meeting developmental milestones in cognitive, language, and motor skills.
2. Highlights Emotional Concerns: Detects emotional or social difficulties that might be affecting
3. Assesses Learning Abilities: Evaluates strengths and weaknesses in learning to tailor educational strategies.
4. Informs Treatment Plans: Provides crucial information that helps in developing effective treatment and intervention plans.
5. Supports Educational Planning: Assists in creating individualized educational plans (IEPs) that cater to specific learning needs.
How do Child Assessments work?
Child Assessments typically involve a series of standardized tests and observations conducted by a team of specialists, including psychologists and therapists. These assessments might include interviews, psychological testing, and observational tasks, which collectively help in forming a comprehensive understanding of the child’s abilities and challenges.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Why would my child need Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is ideal if your child or teen is struggling to cope with negative thoughts or behavioural patterns that affect their daily life, emotional well-being, and ability to function.
5 ways in which Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help:
1. Enhances Self-Control: Teaches your child to manage their reactions and responses to challenging situations.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Helps in identifying and altering thought patterns that contribute to stress and anxiety.
3. Improves Emotional Regulation: Assists in understanding and regulating emotions to foster better interpersonal relationships.
4. Boosts Confidence: Builds self-esteem by empowering your child to take charge of their thoughts and actions.
5. Encourages Resilience: Develops coping strategies to overcome adversity and build resilience.
How does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy work?
CBT combines talk therapy with practical behavioural strategies, guiding your child to identify distorted thinking patterns. Therapists work closely with your child to provide effective tools that help them reframe these thoughts. This process fosters a better understanding of their emotions and behaviours, leading directly to positive behavioural changes and improved mental well-being.
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Art Therapy
Why would my child need Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is beneficial if your child has difficulty expressing their thoughts and emotions verbally. It offers a creative outlet for expression and emotional release.
5 ways in which Art Therapy can help:
1. Fosters Emotional Expression: Provides a non-verbal mode of expressing complex feelings.
2. Enhances Creativity: Stimulates creativity and imagination, which can be therapeutic and rewarding.
3. Reduces Anxiety: Creates a calm and focused environment, reducing stress and anxiety.
4. Improves Self-Esteem: Builds confidence through the achievement of creating art.
5. Promotes Self-Discovery: Encourages self-exploration and understanding through the creative process.
How does Art Therapy work?
Art Therapy uses drawing, painting, and other artistic methods as a means of communication. A therapist guides your child through creative activities that aim to uncover and address underlying emotional issues.
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Anxiety Therapy
Why would my child need Anxiety Therapy?
Anxiety Therapy is essential if your child experiences persistent anxiety that interferes with their school, social life, or overall happiness.
5 ways in which Anxiety Therapy can help:
1. Teaches Coping Mechanisms: Provides tools and techniques to manage and reduce feelings of anxiety.
2. Boosts Confidence: Helps children face their fears and build confidence through gradual exposure and resilience training.
3. Improves Focus and Concentration: Reduces anxiety-induced distractions, improving focus at school and in other activities.
4. Encourages Social Interaction: Supports children in overcoming social anxieties, facilitating better interactions with peers.
5. Promotes Calmness: Teaches relaxation techniques to help maintain calmness in stressful situations.
How does Anxiety Therapy work?
Anxiety Therapy primarily employs cognitive-behavioural techniques to directly target and modify the thoughts and behaviours that fuel anxiety. Additionally, this therapy may incorporate exposure therapy to gradually reduce anxiety responses in feared situations, alongside relaxation exercises designed to calm the mind and body. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough treatment of anxiety symptoms.
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Family Therapy
Why would we need Family Therapy?
Family Therapy is necessary when family dynamics contribute to a child’s issues or when the entire family needs support to navigate a child’s challenges together.
5 ways in which Family Therapy can help:
1. Strengthens Family Bonds: Improves communication skills and understanding among family members.
2. Resolves Conflicts: Provides strategies to resolve conflicts and reduce tensions within the home.
3. Supports All Members: Ensures that every family member feels supported and valued.
4. Promotes Understanding: Helps family members understand the needs and behaviors of others, fostering empathy.
5. Guides through Transitions: Assists families in managing transitions or crises effectively.
How does Family Therapy work?
The goal of Family Therapy is to improve communication and resolve conflicts within the family unit. During these sessions, the therapist employs targeted interactions and exercises that are designed to deepen mutual understanding and foster cooperation among family members. This approach helps identify and address patterns that disrupt family dynamics, ultimately promoting a healthier, more supportive home environment.
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Stress Therapy
Why would I need Stress Therapy?
Stress Therapy is designed for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, work, relationships, or specific events. It’s for those seeking effective strategies to manage stress, reduce its impact, and improve overall well-being.
5 signs you may need Stress Therapy
1. You feel overwhelmed or anxious more days than not.
2. Physical symptoms (headaches, stomach issues) are frequent.
3. Your sleep or appetite has changed due to stress.
4. You’re irritable or have difficulty concentrating.
5. Stress is affecting your work, relationships, or health.
How does Stress Therapy work?
Stress therapy offers techniques and strategies to reduce your stress levels, improve your coping mechanisms, and help you build a more resilient mindset. Through personalized sessions, learn how to manage stress effectively and regain control over your wellbeing.
Anxiety therapy helps individuals who are frequently overwhelmed by worry, fear, or nervousness, impacting their daily activities, relationships, and personal achievements.
5 signs you may need Anxiety Therapy
1. Constant worry affecting daily life.
2. Physical symptoms without medical reasons.
3. Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
4. Avoiding activities due to fear.
5. Experiencing intense anxiety or panic attacks.
How does Anxiety Therapy work?
Anxiety therapy primarily utilizes cognitive-behavioral techniques to identify and modify negative thought patterns. Strategies include exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness, aimed at reducing anxiety symptoms and improving coping mechanisms.
This treatment is essential for those experiencing unexpected, intense fear or discomfort, often with physical symptoms, seeking to regain control over their lives.
5 signs you may need Panic Attack Treatment
1. Sudden, intense fear without danger.
2. Physical symptoms like heart palpitations during an attack.
3. Fear of losing control or doom.
4. Avoiding places or situations fearing an attack.
5. Worrying about the next panic attack.
How does Panic Attack Treatment work?
Panic attack treatment often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy to understand and change the thought patterns that trigger attacks. Techniques may include exposure therapy, relaxation exercises, and sometimes medication to manage symptoms effectively.
Ideal for those who experience significant anxiety in social situations, affecting their ability to engage and connect with others.
5 signs you may need Social Anxiety Therapy
1. Fear of judgment or embarrassment in social settings.
2. Avoiding new social interactions.
3. Physical symptoms in social situations.
4. Excessive worry about social events.
5. Difficulty in friendships due to social fear.
How does Social Anxiety Therapy work?
Social anxiety therapy includes exposure therapy to gradually face social situations, cognitive restructuring to challenge negative thoughts, and social skills training to improve interaction confidence. These methods aim to reduce social anxiety levels and enhance social functioning.
Depression Therapy is critical for those feeling a deep sense of sadness, hopelessness, or disinterest in life, which affects their daily function and happiness.
5 signs you may need Depression Therapy
1. Persistent hopelessness.
2. Losing interest in enjoyable activities.
3. Appetite or weight changes; sleep issues.
4. Constant fatigue.
5. Thoughts of death or suicide.
How does Depression Therapy work?
Depression therapy may involve different approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy to address negative thought patterns, interpersonal therapy to improve relationship skills, and psychodynamic therapy to explore underlying issues. These techniques aim to alleviate depressive symptoms and improve emotional well-being.
Individual Therapy is beneficial for addressing a broad spectrum of personal challenges, from navigating life changes to managing mental health conditions, in a personalized and confidential setting.
5 signs you may need Individual Therapy
1. Overwhelmed by stress or emotions.
2. Difficulty coping with life transitions or loss.
3. Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger.
4. Relationship problems or loneliness.
5. Behavioral or substance use issues.
How does Individual Therapy work?
Individual therapy involves one-on-one sessions with a therapist to explore personal issues, emotions, and behaviors. Through techniques tailored to the individual’s needs, such as cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, or humanistic approaches, therapy aims to provide insight, resolve issues, and promote psychological health.