{"id":3213,"date":"2020-03-09T06:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/?p=3213"},"modified":"2024-02-15T09:50:29","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T17:50:29","slug":"family-feeling-stressed-about-coronavirus-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/family-feeling-stressed-about-coronavirus-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Feeling Stressed About Coronavirus (COVID-19)?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>News of spreading <a href=\"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/protecting-your-family-from-covid-19-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coronavirus (COVID-19)<\/a> can create worry in even the calmest parent. We want to protect our children but don\u2019t always know how, and the uncertainty can be difficult to manage. This is understandable \u2013 I know I\u2019ve felt on edge at times lately!<\/p>\n<p>Here are some tips to help parents manage their own worry and calm their children during difficult times:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stay informed but don\u2019t over focus on media coverage<\/strong>. Avoid news and social media that can be sensationalized and repetitive. Take a break from most social media. Decide to look at the news only once a day and get your information from direct sources. For <a href=\"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/protecting-your-family-from-covid-19-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coronavirus or COVID-19<\/a> see updates from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/protecting-your-family-from-covid-19-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The World Health Organization<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-nCoV\/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/healthy.kaiserpermanente.org\/northern-california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kaiser Permanente<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Take care of yourself<\/strong>. Everyone\u2019s emotions may be closer to the surface right now \u2013 which can make you feel on edge and your kids clingy. I\u2019ve heard it said that \u201cyou\u2019re a mirror for your child.\u201d They look to you to see if they are okay. Your stress level affects them, so be sure to care for yourself \u2013 sleep, eat, and exercise well. If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Talk with friends, family, or a counselor.<\/li>\n<li>Start your day with a few moments of meditation \u2013 rather than checking your phone for the latest news.<\/li>\n<li>Increase calm and fun activities \u2013 hobbies, time with friends and family.<\/li>\n<li>Get outside for exercise each day \u2013 this has been shown to decrease anxiety symptoms. Bring the kids \u2013 it\u2019s good for them too!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Start a conversation with your child.<\/strong> Even young children have probably heard of the coronavirus \u2013 often from other children. It\u2019s best if they get information from you and have a chance to ask questions. Here\u2019s how to start:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ask what they\u2019ve heard about the virus from other kids.<\/strong> Are they worried or afraid? What questions do they have? Their answers help you know where to begin.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tell them what you know in words appropriate for their age and temperament.<\/strong> Older kids understand more detailed information than younger children. More anxious children may benefit from less detail. Reassure them by saying, \u201cThis is concerning news, and it\u2019s okay to be scared or worried. You\u2019re not alone. I\u2019m here for you.\u201d Explain that scientists and health care experts are working hard to keep us all safe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Listen to their concerns and answer their questions.<\/strong> Some children may not want to talk, which can be normal. Just remind them you\u2019re available for questions or reassurance. Also remind them they can talk with teachers, counselors, or grandparents too.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limit TV and social media for them as well.<\/strong> If you\u2019re not able to completely shelter your young children from media, discuss what they heard. Also, limit adult conversations about the news. Children may overhear adults talking and either understand more than we give them credit for or jump to scary conclusions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reassure children.<\/strong> Younger children (3 or younger) can simply be told you\u2019ll keep them safe. Older kids will want more detail. Have them focus on things they enjoy or want to do in the future. Discussing topics like gratitude and hope help children cope with scary news. So, spend time together each night talking about what you&#8217;re grateful for!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stick to routines.<\/strong> Following your family\u2019s usual schedule, having regular meals, and getting lots of exercise can be very helpful for you and your child.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>When to reach out to your pediatrician<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stress and uncertainty can leave children feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Contact us if you notice any of these symptoms (especially if they last for more than a few weeks).<\/p>\n<p>Concerning symptoms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Seeming depressed, withdrawn, angry, or irritable.<\/li>\n<li>Sleeping problems (not being able to fall or stay asleep, having nightmares, or sleeping too much).<\/li>\n<li>Eating less or more than usual.<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawing from or avoiding friends, family and normal activities.<\/li>\n<li>Bed-wetting, bathroom accidents, or other regressive behavior.<\/li>\n<li>Acting aggressively.<\/li>\n<li>Having more trouble separating from parents, clinging, not being willing to let you out of their sight, fear that you will not return.<\/li>\n<li>Experiencing other symptoms that affect their ability to function like recurrent headaches or stomachaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can always schedule a <a href=\"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/managing-your-care-from-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">phone or video visit<\/a> with your child\u2019s doctor to discuss concerns and reassure your child if they\u2019re worried.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/raising-a-resilient-child\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Most children are resilient<\/a> and able to cope with stress and trauma if supported and guided through the experience. Our children\u2019s responses and ability to cope depends on how we as parents, caregivers, and teachers respond. Being willing to start a conversation early and keep it going will help them thrive despite challenges around them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Resources for Parents<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>American Academy of Pediatrics:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthychildren.org\/English\/healthy-living\/emotional-wellness\/Pages\/Responding-to-Childrens-Emotional-Needs-During-Times-of-Crisis.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Responding to Children\u2019s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis<\/a><\/p>\n<p>My Doctor Online:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org\/ncal\/structured-content\/#\/Condition_Stress.xml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stress<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org\/ncal\/promotions\/#\/wellnesscoaching\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wellness Coaching<\/a> &#8211; including stress reduction<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>News of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) can create worry in even the calmest parent. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3228,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[555,566],"class_list":["post-3213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-life","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","ages-all-ages"],"metadata":{"_edit_lock":["1708019312:8"],"_edit_last":["8"],"slide_template":["default"],"video_format_choose":["youtube"],"_custom_body_class":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["60"],"qode_animate-page-title":["no"],"qode_show-page-title-text":["no"],"qode_show-page-title-image":["no"],"qode_show-sidebar":["default"],"qode_hide-featured-image":["no"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["60"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_ages":["294"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":["coronavirus stress"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":["coronavirus stress"],"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":["64"],"_thumbnail_id":["3228"],"qode_seo_title":["Family Feeling Stressed About Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Here's Help. "],"qode_seo_keywords":["coronavirus, COVID-19, stress about coronavirus"],"wpfp_favorites":["79"],"_yoast_indexnow_last_ping":["1708019429"],"ase_chapter_enable_timeline":["off"],"ase_map_component_start_point":["a:2:{s:3:\"lat\";d:29.76;s:3:\"lng\";d:-95.38;}"],"ase_mapbox_style":["openstreet"],"_wpb_vc_js_status":["false"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":["[]"],"_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":["[\"\"]"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["4"],"_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":[""]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3213"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3248,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3213\/revisions\/3248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}