Coping with and managing stress is an important part of being mentally healthy, but it isn't a skill we are born with. Children rely on parents, teachers, and other trusted adults to provide support and guidance when things get tough; it's how they work through the "good" stress of trying new things, and it's also how they find peace when tough situations occur.

COVID-19 has been a tremendous source of stress, damaging the livelihood of businesses, charitable organizations, and individuals alike. This includes our children, who have seen their school routines change drastically and been deprived of developmentally important face-to-face playtime with their peers, all while privy to the same sense of uncertainty as adults with regard to how things will move forward.

These quick tips can help you connect with your kids and reduce stress, COVID-related and otherwise:

Be honest, but model good behavior: Create a safe space for open communication and venting. It's okay to talk about missing our friends, not liking our masks, and wanting things to go back to normal -- these are all legitimate feelings. Try to wrap up the talk with a reminder of why it's important to follow regulations and how it will help us to achieve these goals sooner.
Spot the signs: You know your child best, and will be the first to spot stress signs like changes to behavior, eating and sleeping habits, grades, and emotions. If your child seems tense or troubled, make a point to sit down and have a loving, open discussion with them.
Turn off the news: Though it's tempting to fixate on the 24-hour news cycle in order to keep up with what's going on, overexposure to the media can cause stress for children and adults alike. Turn off the television and play, chat, or take a nature walk instead.

Checking in with your kids on a regular basis and keeping tabs on their habits and feelings can go a long way in reducing their stress. A warm, welcoming environment that encourages self-expression can help them to realize and process difficult emotions in a healthy way.

Managing Child Stress During COVID and Beyond