Warning signs that your child is suffering emotionally
Here are signs that can show you if your child is under
stress and how to help them.
The coronavirus has shaken up our lives in many ways.
Not only are parents under stress, but it has also affected their little ones.
Many children have had to witness the death of loved ones and/or their parents losing their jobs.
READ: Expert advice: 7 Ways to protect the emotional wellbeing of the elderly during COVID-19
The academic year was also disrupted, and children couldn’t play as freely as they used to. They now must always wear masks and practice social distancing – which can be hard for an energetic child.
All of this can take an emotional toll on children.
The government’s website has released 10 signs that can show parents their children are not coping:
• Feeling sad or crying for no apparent reason
• Anger and frustration when there is no apparent reason
• Not taking part in activities they would usually enjoy at home
• Loss of interest in spending time with family or friends via social media
• Arguing or fighting with family or friends on social media
• Tiredness and loss of energy
• Sleeping too much or struggling to sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behaviour
• Self-harm (e.g. cutting, burning, or otherwise hurting themselves)
How to help your child who is struggling to cope:
• Talk to your children about aggressive or negative behaviour that you would like changed
and give them clear alternatives for what you would like them to do instead.
• When their behaviour changes for the better, give them positive feedback about what you see (e.g. When you spoke calmly to me, I really appreciated it).
• Give your children a lot of love. Tell them that you love them. Listen to them when they talk to you. If you are in lockdown together, give them hugs and show physical affection.
• Give your children hope – talk about life after lockdown. Talk about seeing their friends again, about going back to school, about playing outside, and about their plans and dreams for the future.
• If the situation does not improve or even gets worse, reach out to one of the many helplines available.
READ: The emotions of parenting in lockdown
Image courtesy of iStock/ @fizkes