How To Help Children Who Miss Their Friends Amidst COVID-19

The pandemic has affected all of our lives in some way or the other. While some of us have lost our jobs, an annual vacation, or a romantic getaway with our partners, others have lost their loved ones. Irrespective of your social status, race, gender, or even age, no one is spared from the deadly virus. It’s been a difficult and challenging year for everyone, and we are all finding ways to cope with it. With the vaccine being rolled out, there is hope that things will slowly start getting better. However, for now, everyone still has to follow all safety protocols and adhere to the rules laid out by the government. Rules like wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, and avoiding stepping out of our homes are essential to protect us from the virus.

Many of us have different ways to vent and blow off steam. Maybe for a few of us, it’s by cooking or watching our favorite shows online. Some others have found new hobbies during the lockdown to keep themselves entertained, and some of us finally have the time to read our favorite books. But have you stopped to think how this pandemic has affected our children?

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With schools being shut and distance learning becoming the new normal, kids are robbed of the fun and joy of meeting their friends every day. They probably don’t even understand what’s happening, and it can take a toll on them. So here’s a few things you can do to help them when they’re missing their friends:

In This Article

Ask Them Questions

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Your kids might not be the ones to open up to you because they are not used to the uncertainty the world is facing right now. So, ask them questions. Start a dialogue with them to enable them to share what they’re feeling. Ask them open-ended questions like why they miss their friends or what they miss about their friends. Also, ask them what it means to be a good friend. Questions like these allow them to reflect on their feelings and perhaps lead to some clarity.

Talking to your kids might encourage them to open up to you and not deal with their fears and worries by themselves. Therefore, don’t be afraid to start a dialogue with your kids.

Share Feelings

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During this pandemic, everyone has been experiencing bouts of helplessness, anxiety, sadness, and fear. Your kids have been on the same boat, and it’s up to you to let them know that it’ll pass. Share your feelings with them and tell them that it’s okay to feel scared and nervous about the situation. It’s not easy to face a pandemic, and being young while undergoing something this vast is definitely not easy.

That last thing you want is for your kids to feel like they have no one to talk to during this time. Therefore, let them know that it’s important to share their feelings. Tell them that they don’t have to be happy all the time, and being sad or scared is normal. But let them know that there is a lot to feel hopeful for.

The Little Things

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With so much negativity and sad news making the rounds, it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole. Therefore, steer clear of too much bad news. Instead, find new ways to spend time during this time of isolation. Engage in new hobbies like drawing, painting, or dancing. You could also teach your kids different songs or musical instruments. There are tons of DIY tutorials on the internet; try something new with your kids and learn to enjoy the time you have together.

You could also arrange virtual get-together sessions with their friends and spend a few hours connecting with them to help your kids feel at ease.

It’s easy to get caught up with what’s happening around us. But it’s important to take a step back and stop to enjoy the little blessings we still have. Teach your kids that there’s always something to be grateful for, and no matter how bad things seem right now, they are bound to get better. How are your children coping with missing their friends? Comment below and tell us!

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