During the pandemic, not only adults but also kids are stressed. Recently, we came across how stressed kids are asking heartbreaking questions to their parents. From asking about orphans and deaths, these questions are just an ugly reminder of how pandemic snatching away their childhood.
As per NPR, recently, a parent from Bengaluru, Ritesh Banglani, shared how his 6-year-old son’s unusual question startled the whole family.
As per the sources, the 6-year-old wanted to know: “How do orphans live?”
Further sharing their son had developed a habit of tracking the pandemic, the 43-year-old Banglani, mentioned:
“[My wife and I] were really taken aback…It’s very unnatural and unsettling when a 6-year-old comes to you every day and says, ‘show me the number of deaths today in the country,’ “
While talking about his older son, he mentioned how he is showing signs of hypochondria. The 8-year-old has been asking to have his temperature checked frequently, googling symptoms of COVID-19, and washing hands obsessively — 10 minutes at a time — Banglani says.
“Every half an hour he would go and try to sniff things to see whether he could still smell,” he says.
It was obvious to Banglani that the pandemic was affecting his sons’ mental health.
“Children are constantly worrying about their own health, about their parents’ health. And this is on top of all the social issues of not being able to meet their friends, play with their friends, go to school,” Banglani says. “It’s a huge issue.”
But these are not the only disturbing questions that kids are asking their parents during the pandemic. Here are some of the most uncomfortable questions being asked by the kids and how you can handle them.
What if I get COVID-19? Will I die?
“Take out time to do some physical exercise together, take out time to maybe have some conversations on a book you’ve read together. Involve them in household work. Give them some responsibility.” says, Singh Tanwar, a clinical psychologist.
What will happen if Mom or Dad gets COVID-19? Is Grandpa going to die?
Singh Tanwar says it’s important for parents to maintain a sense of calm while talking to kids during a crisis. In case you don’t have an answer, respond to their question with another question to understand what they are thinking. As per Singh Tanwar,
“You can ask them: ‘What made you ask this?’…That’s how you get your cues on how to go forward in the conversation.”
Further adding, Singh Tanwar shares how a lot of her patients are having a hard time talking to their kids about grief and death. She counsels them to be honest and avoid euphemisms about death like saying “so-and-so has gone into a deep sleep.”
Further adding, she mentioned how it is important to take care of our own mental well-being as well.
“Because if we don’t, it is going to come out in our behavior, in our emotions, and on our children…It’s very important to give yourself little doses of well-being where you listen to music or do some breathing exercises. Before sleeping, have some ‘me time.'”
At IFORHER, we know how COVID is putting so many of us under stress. In case you or your kid is undergoing anxiety or stress, do seek advice from mental health experts. Because one thing pandemic has taught us, is that nothing is as important as our health!
Now, you can seek advice from our counselors to cope with anxiety and stress in your life or relationships. Write to us to book an appointment.
