Children and the ghost of COVID-19

We hear daily in the media that infection with the new coronavirus is milder in the younger segment of the population. But are our children, in fact, the least affected by this pandemic?

Overnight, boys and girls all over the world saw their routines changed. They were separated from their friends and closest relatives, school is now a distant reality, and their homes are now like impenetrable castles. No one enters and no one leaves, except for very special reasons. And when mom or dad do leave, they follow a series of strange and confusing rituals.

We adults are able to reorganize our lives relatively easily and quickly; we know how confinement, social distancing, and all the measures of individual protection are means to an end. For children, it's not so simple to understand these cause-and-effect relationships. The world has become even more confusing and strange, unusual and limiting, in recent weeks. What was routine has simply ceased to be.

Routine, such an important word in a child's life, and sometimes underestimated. I would say that no child feels comfortable in a situation where they don't know what to expect. Routine provides a sense of security that calms them and protects them from anxieties and fears. Because today, in addition to the daily routine not being the same, it's still difficult to explain reality. A reality that cannot be seen, which is the most frightening thing. The virus is a ghost that terrorizes our lives and the lives of our little ones, a creature without a face, without shape, without smell or color. It is this unknown that intensifies the feeling of fear and anxiety, especially in our little treasures who are already able to understand how the world is turned upside down.

Right now, parents and children are locked in their homes, without the rush of breakfasts and getting the kids dressed, without constantly checking the clock to avoid being late, without the commute to work, in short, without anything that is usual. In the process of children growing up, parents and children face multiple challenges, and this is another one. But a big one. Outdoor playtime, visits to grandparents' houses, best friend's birthday party have been postponed indefinitely.

But how do we organize ourselves at home with one, two, or even three children? How do we explain to them that everything will be alright, but that we still have a long road ahead with no end in sight? How do we hide from them that the unseen reality is frightening? And how do we show them that, amidst the chaos, we can still play, smile, and be happy?

Brave parents, we need to transform this moment of turmoil into a situation of calm and appeasement. Let's show our children that we are at peace with this ghost. Let's show them that there is a wonderful world inside our homes. Let's mitigate the effects of this catastrophe, let's make them remember one day that the pandemic gave them time. Just time. To play, to learn, to discover, to be with their parents and siblings without the pressure of a clock.

Start by trying to unmask this ghost, demystify it, explain what's happening in the world outside. Depending on your age, choose your words and methods accordingly. If you think it's age-appropriate, you can use the online video "The Story of a Naughty Virus," presented by Hospital da Luz, which will certainly be a great help. This video will teach you a little about this ghost and the hygiene habits so important for defeating it. The virus has superpowers, but so do we!

It's also important that, despite the chaos, these routines continue to exist so that not only parents but also children can organize themselves and know what to expect. They need to have set times for waking up, studying, eating, bathing, and helping with household chores. This routine will give them a more peaceful and controlled feeling. In their free time, take advantage of it to do activities that involve all the elements they live with; let the children experiment, get dirty, and jump. Don't forget to maintain physical exercise at home; stimulating the body is as important as stimulating the mind.

Therefore, we have no doubt, everything will be alright.

Suggested video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Se8JQ23VPQ