Sameera Shares Tips For Parents To Make Anxious & Scared Kids Feel Safe During Lockdown

We are living in uncertain times. We have been exposed to the multiple streams of coronavirus updates coupled with lockdown measures imposed by the government that could affect our mental health.

But, what about our young children, who are being exposed to the news or our talks about the COVID-19?

At such a young age, the news or talks about COVID-19 may lead to panic and anxiety among our kids. In such an environment,  Sameera Reddy, a mommy to Hans & Nyra, shared some parenting tips to cope up with the fear and anxiety among kids.

 

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The sweet kisses our kids give us???? my melting heart❤️#keepingitreal #motherhood #mybabies ???? #myson #mydaughter #hansvarde #nyravarde . ???? @mommyshotsbyamrita #mua @perfektmakeover

A post shared by Sameera Reddy (@reddysameera) on Mar 2, 2020 at 9:04pm PST

While sharing her tips with Hindustan Times, she mentioned:

“The most important thing I can tell you right now, the mental health of children is definitely not in the best space right now. And every child who is stuck in a lockdown is wondering deep down ‘what the hell is going on’?”

She further added,

“I was talking to Hans two weeks ago because I knew this was coming and the stuff he told me, I realized maybe we are watching too much news around him. Imagine if we have so much anxiety, how much anxiety do kids have? It is so frustrating, it is just frustrating that kids have to see this.”

She also listed down signs of deep anxiety among children in an Instagram post:

“finding it hard to concentrate, not sleeping, waking in the night with bad dreams, not eating properly, quickly getting angry or irritable, being out of control during outbursts, constantly worrying or having negative thoughts, feeling tense and fidgety, using the toilet often, always crying, being clingy, complaining of tummy aches and feeling unwell.”

 

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It hurts me that Hans is exposed to the paranoia and fear. But this is the new normal . And imagine if we feel anxiety they feel it even more . Signs of deep anxiety in children -finding it hard to concentrate. -not sleeping, or waking in the night with bad dreams. -not eating properly. -quickly getting angry or irritable, and being out of control during outbursts. -constantly worrying or having negative thoughts. -feeling tense and fidgety, or using the toilet often. -always crying. -being clingy. -complaining of tummy aches and feeling unwell s ???????? please be aware and communicate with your child . It’s important . Keeping them busy is a good thing but talking to them and being honest about the situation is recommended . Make them feel safe. Lots of hugs and lots of patience . ❤️#staysafe #stayhome #mentalhealth #children #lockdown

A post shared by Sameera Reddy (@reddysameera) on Mar 26, 2020 at 4:05am PDT

The solution, according to her, is to:

“talk and just be there for them. Make them feel safe, just be honest. Give them things to do but a routine is just not going to do it. It’s gonna cut it if you are actually there for them.”

It is very important for every parent to focus on the mental health of their kids in such tough times. Assuming that kids are doing fine could be a huge mistake. It can be a scary time for children. And, It’s OK—and healthy—to acknowledge that.

So, let’s spend some time to help our kids cope up with anxiety and fear as these young minds do need our support and care.