From Cleveland Clinic
With children are home from school because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many are spending more time with grandparents who are called on to be caregivers as well as grandparents. So, what’s the best way to assure children during this time of change and uncertainty?
According to Kate Eshleman, PsyD, of Cleveland Clinic Children’s, it’s important for grandparents to listen to their grandchild’s concerns.
“It’s always important to start with the kids and find out where they’re at,” she says. “Ask them what they’ve heard, what they know, and what they think and feel about these things. It’s always important to tell the truth in a developmentally appropriate way, and to provide kids with reassurance.”
Dr. Eshleman says it’s also a good idea to be mindful of the information that is coming into your home.
With so much news available at our fingertips, it can be easy for both kids and adults to become overwhelmed and anxious.
“If adults want to watch the news, make sure you’re not doing it always in the presence of the children,” says Dr. Eshleman. “It’s okay to have a little bit of the exposure, but if you’re going to do that, do it together, so that you can ask questions and address any concerns.”
She says it’s also good for grandparents and parents to recognize that kids will take their cues from adults. By keeping yourself calm, it will help keep your children calm as well.
“If a parent is anxious, the child is going to pick up on that,” says Dr. Eshleman. “We should try to model our own self-care when interacting with our kids as well.”
Dr. Eshleman says it’s also okay to tell kids that you don’t know all the answers to their questions.
This is a new situation for all of us, and it’s okay to share that with them.
