Children during a pandemic

Understanding how COVID-19 can affect your child

One lucky aspect of the current COVID-19 pandemic is that young children seem to be not as badly affected by the virus itself when they actually catch the virus (Roos & Tomfohr-Madsen, 2020). This by all means does not include all children but if we consider reports from the world health organisation children are less likely to be significantly impacted by the virus if they should catch it (Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020).

However, despite these reportedly low rates of children being severely impacted by the Coronavirus, the way in which the world has responded to the pandemic could result in various longer-term adverse effects on the children’s mental health and their overall well-being (Roos & Tomfohr-Madsen, 2020).

One area of concern is the accidental and rather unplanned consequences from the public health response which may have resulted in heightened stressors for your children and how these may have an impact over time (Roos & Tomfohr-Madsen, 2020).

Examples of these stressor can be from lowered income for their families, the effects of parental stress, whether they the family has food security, possible increases of child abuse, stress of trying to learn from home and being cut off from their usual support networks such as teachers, friends, peers and having a normal routine to rely on (Geldard & Geldard, 2009; Kerr, 2000; Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020).

These types of stressors impact the way in which children’s brain develop, their immune systems, then mental health and well-being (CDC, 2020; Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020).

The very real reality is that there isn’t a person who can predict what will happen over the next few weeks, months or even days. Trying to find a way to cope with this heightened level of uncertainty is difficult for everyone and especially for our children (CDC, 2020). As a parent it will be vital to monitor your child’s emotional well-being as well as your own and take some time to manage and support your feelings (Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020).

It is impossible to protect and shield your child from the massive effects of what is currently happening (Kobor, Odgers, Schmidt, & Vent-Schmidt, 2020). For example, schools closing and having to be homeschooled, the sudden and unexpected wearing of face masks in public areas and washing of hands (CDC, 2020). However, it is not all impossible to try and avoid the collateral damage from the unintended results of this pandemic. The positive news is that there are some steps that you take that may be able to help and guide your children during this time.

Check out the blog or watch the online workshop video number 5 titled "Steps that you as a parent can take to support your children" for some ways in which you may be able to support your children during this time.

List of references:

CDC. (2020, July 1). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Coping with Stress. Centres for disease control and prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Department of health Republic of South Africa. (2020). COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal. COVID-19 online resources and news portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/

Ellen, B. (2020). COVID-19 Advice from a Family Therapist. Britannica for parents: https://parents.britannica.com/covid-19-advice-from-a-family-therapist/

Geldard, K., & Geldard, D. (2009). Relationship Counselling for Children, Young People and Families. Sage.

Kerr, M. E. (2000). One Family’s Story: A Primer on Bowen Theory. The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family: http://www.thebowencenter.org.

Kobor, M. S., Odgers, C., Schmidt, K., & Vent-Schmidt, R. (2020, July 12). The long-term biological effects of COVID-19 stress on kids’ future health and development. Retrieved from The conversation: https://theconversation.com/the-long-term-biological-effects-of-covid-19-stress-on-kids-future-health-and-development-140533

Makan, A. (2020, April 10). COVID-19, Lockdown and your mental health. COVID-19 online resources and new portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2020/04/10/covid-19-lockdown-and-your-mental-health/

Roos, L., & Tomfohr-Madsen, L. (2020, August 16). Family mental health crisis: Parental depression, anxiety during COVID-19 will affect kids too. The conversation: https://theconversation.com/family-mental-health-crisis-parental-depression-anxiety-during-covid-19-will-affect-kids-too-144050

World health organisation. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. World health organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019