Helping Your Kids with Loss: Covid-19

It’s no exaggeration that 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride! Although many of us started out the year with high hopes, it wasn’t long before we were hit with the uncertainty, chaos, anxiety and fear of Covid-19. These issues are troubling enough for adults to handle let alone our kids. Children handle emotions differently, and its very important to talk to them about what is happening and how they are feeling. 

This year kids have missed out on some or all of the following: sports, clubs, extra-curricular activities, family gatherings, regular in-person school, and not seeing friends. According to board-certified pediatrician Hansa D. Bhargava, “these types of losses can cause kids to go through feelings similar to the stages of grief. First, there is denial of the reality of the situation and hope that this will go away. Then there is anger and frustration, which many kids may be feeling right now. And then there can be sadness, and even depression”. As parents it’s hard to watch our kids go through these losses and often we want to “fix” it. What if instead of “fixing it”, we let our kids experience loss in a healthy manner?

Dr. Bhargava explains, “In fact, kids who are exposed to some form of adversity do become more flexible in their thinking. They understand that everything will not always go as planned and become more accepting of change. Life events such as these are hard; but on the bright side, can build up their life “toolbox” and help them learn how to be agile and accepting of the inevitable curves that life will throw at them”. Teaching our kids about resilience prepares them for life and gives them the confidence to overcome any of life's challenges.