The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up families all over the world. As homes function simultaneously as school, office and living space, parents are finding themselves in a bind. Even though
parents now have more time for their children, the pressure to juggle multiple roles is stressful and they are unable to devote time to parenting.
As children and parents stay confined to their homes, parents are finding it difficult to focus on different aspects of their child’s overall development.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the major challenges parents are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
1. Helping children with online classes and schoolwork.
The Covid-19 pandemic has made parents the de facto homeschool teachers and tuition teachers. Unfortunately, they are finding it difficult to keep their children on track and help them with assignments.
The difficulty becomes multifold if the children happen to be in different grades. Ensuring that children attend the online classes as per the timetable, complete their homework and send it to the teacher and prepare for the next day’s class has been a cause of worry for many parents.
2. Dealing with children’s fears and stress
Since the Internet and the media is flooded with the Covid-19 news regarding the rapid increase in cases and the death toll, it is easy for young children to panic.
In such a situation, parents are facing challenges while addressing their child’s fears and questions regarding the pandemic. They have to explain everything to the child while taking extra care of their emotional well-being.
3. Keeping healthy routines
As the pandemic drags on and the burden of household and professional work continue to increase, parents are neglecting their normal daily routines. As a result, children tend to follow the same haphazard habits and routines.
It has become especially difficult for parents to maintain a strict routine for their children, with fixed times for meals, studying and sleeping.
For young children, routine brings welcome predictability and they stay enthusiastic throughout the day. But in the current situation, parents are unable to restore structure and as a result, children tend to lose interest in everything and become aggressive.
4. Managing behaviour problems
While children remain confined to their homes during the pandemic, they are unable to meet their friends, play outdoors or enjoy an evening in the park. As a result, they get stressed and tend to misbehave to vent out their frustration.
Temper tantrums, aggression and increased clinginess are some of the ways young children may express their frustration.
Parents are facing difficulty in dealing with this stressful situation to reassure the children and help them cope with the situation.
5. Keeping children engaged
Covid-19 is not only a virus but a situation that is mentally and psychologically draining. People are unable to socialise and meet their loved ones. Not only adults but children are also finding it difficult to adapt to this situation.
Since schools have come to a halt, parents of young children are having a tough time keeping them engaged in meaningful activities. The role of parents, which has always been important, is critical in this situation.
Many parents are not equipped with the proper teaching resources and hence, are unable to teach effectively. As a result, children are missing out on an important phase of their learning journey and overall development.
The pandemic will pass soon. However, the true test of time is how well you are able to navigate it and help your children stay positive and healthy. This is a time for love, support and care as you stretch to help your young ones learn and grow and, perhaps, even equip them with the necessary skills to prepare them for the future.
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