Parenting during a global pandemic

The COVID-19 global pandemic means that we are swimming in new territories, and for some parents this may cause anxiety (CDC, 2020). As the COVID-19 virus continues to speak around the world the uncertainty about what the next steps will be create a anxiety and uncertainty for many people (CDC, 2020).

Although these anxious feelings are easy to understand, it is important to be aware of how anxiety may impact ourselves, our children and our families (CDC, 2020). Furthermore, being aware of how anxiety can impact us and our loved ones can help to keep the everyone calm and safe (CDC, 2020).

How Does Anxiety Affect Us?

Anxiety is what the way in which our body responds to stress it is our internal alarm system (Ellen, 2020). This natural alarm system is usually activated when we are faced with a threat this is our “flight-or-fight” response which is how our bodies keep us safe when we are facing dangerous situations (Ellen, 2020). If we look at the COVID-19 pandemic many people are making many good changes in their behaviour such as social distancing, wearing of masks and washing your hands more often and making use of hand sanitizer when we are at public places (Ellen, 2020). In South Africa this is actually government mandated to wear masks at all time when you are out in public places.

However, when then there is a threat which is abstruse or indistinct threat such as the COVID-19 pandemic our internal alarms may guide us to respond in a manner which is not helpful (Ellen, 2020). Some people may partake in actions which cause anxiety to increase which may actually result in our safety being compromised instead of protected. We have witnessed this type of behaviour with people going out and hoarding supplies like toilet, paper, dry food and tinned food, supplies of vitamins and so on (Ellen, 2020).

Now that you understand how anxiety can have an influence during a time like this here are some small steps that you may be able to take to help during this uncertain time (Ellen, 2020), (Roos & Tomfohr-Madsen, 2020), (CDC, 2020):

• Reaffirm that your emotions make sense

• Talk your feelings through

• Be kind to yourself

• Let go of normal expectations

• Find a new routine

• Reach out to friends and family

• Find some you time

• Try not to overwhelm yourself with too much information

• If necessary, seek professional help

• Take it one day at a time

Please remember that if at any time your anxiety is overwhelming you and you feel out if control and unable to manage you should seek professional help.

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

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

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