Children Cope with Uncertain Times

FAMILY MATTERS

Pandemic Parenting Help Children Cope with Uncertain Times

TARA BONE

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, the last year has been challenging. As adults, it’s been difficult to plan and know what the future holds, but for children the upheaval of life as they knew it has been particularly confusing, especially for teens trying to make important life decisions.

Parenting in and of itself can seem overwhelming right now, but Travis Christensen, licensed clinical mental health counselor at Clear Direction Counseling in Logan, encourages parents to trust themselves and their children, even during these challenging times.

“Parents need to give their children an opportunity to face the hard things of life contributing writer and to trust in their skills, talents, and abilities to overcome,” Travis said. “Being a guide as needed, love as required, redirect as expected, and advise as requested.”

Below Travis offers help to parents wondering how to help their children navigate the ups and downs of pandemic living.

As parents, how can we help our children cope with these uncertain times? follow your example. If a parent gets caught up in a catastrophic mindset, then their children will follow. It is

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1. Remember that your children will 3. vital to know uncertainty is a normal and natural part of life. It has been, is currently, and will certainly remain a part of life and experience. Try to normalize what is happing to the best of your abilities and remember, just because it’s not what the parent is used to, doesn’t mean the situation is difficult for the child. Projecting is a real thing and must be minimized, thus allowing the child to have their own experience. Make sure the child has space to express concerns and then be given the opportunity to address fears, anxieties, or any other difficult emotion they are feeling. continued on next page...

For Teens Allow teens to set the tone and agenda. Let them express what is happening and what they’re experiencing. Allow them to problem solve and make decisions about what they feel is best for their mental health. Guide as needed, but as the child gets older, parents must allow them more autonomy to take control of their life, both in certain and uncertain times.

Decision-making tips for teens • Panicking or doing nothing is a state of emotional overload that shuts down the analytical side of the brain; they will fall into the trap of helplessness, hopelessness, and powerlessness. • Help the child/teen understand what they are experiencing, help them understand their overall emotional state. • Help them understand what is in their control, what is certain, what power they do have. • Help them counteract negativity: Put them into an action state of mind where decision-making can occur.

Travis says that traditionally, winter months increase the likelihood of feelings of isolation and social disconnect, but because of the uncertainty and restrictions during the last year, he feels the negative aspects associated with winter have been impacting our mental health all year. This is true in the case of children as well, so know and watch for the signs of anxiety and depression in children.

About Anxiety and Depression, according to the CDC

ANXIETY

When a child does not outgrow the fears and worries that are typical in young children, or when there are so many fears and worries that they interfere with school, home, or play activities, the child may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. continued...

Parenting is based on three core principles.

BE A HEALTHY ROLE-MODEL OF ADULTHOOD.

Parents are an example of physical health, mental health, emotional health, and spiritual health.

BE A MIRROR FOR CHILDREN. Although parents feel that their children don’t care what they think, feel, or believe, they do.

EXPRESS, SET, AND BE CONSISTENT WITH BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS.

Separate child from behaviors. Love the child, dislike the behavior.

Anxiety may present itself as fear or worry, but can also make children irritable and angry.

Anxiety symptoms can include trouble sleeping, or physical symptoms such as fatigue, headache, or stomachache.

DEPRESSION

Occasionally being sad or feeling hopeless is a part of every child’s life. However, some children feel sad or uninterested in things that they used to enjoy or feel helpless or hopeless in situations they are able to change. Here are a few behaviors often seen in children with depression: • Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable a lot of the time • Not wanting to do or enjoy doing fun things • Showing changes in eating patterns — eating a lot more or a lot less than usual • Showing changes in sleep patterns — sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal • Showing changes in energy — being tired and sluggish or tense and restless a lot of the time • Having a hard time paying attention • Feeling worthless, useless, or guilty • Showing self-injury and self-destructive behavior • Causing trouble or acting unmotivated, incorrectly labeled as a troublemaker or lazy.

For more information, contact Travis Christensen, LCMHC to schedule an appointment at 435 258-8533 or cleardirectioncounseling@gmail.com.