In difficult times it’s easy to overlook what children might be thinking. During the pandemic, when we were overwhelmed with staying safe, keeping our families safe, working from home or just trying to maintain our livelihoods, it may have seemed like the concerns of our children paled in comparison. However, while they may not always be able to articulate how they feel, kids can be just as worried as we are, anxious about what may come. They pick up snippets of news and conversations but not the whole picture, compounding the fear, without a balancing voice.
Things were so different for them during lockdown. A lot of their schoolwork was via the screen. Parents became teachers, often with no professional guidance and help with the work. At the same time they didn’t have the fun stuff – like art, music or PE. They couldn’t see their friends, or if they did it was via a screen. No after school activities. If they didn’t have adequate space they couldn’t really go outside. And every child’s experience was different, some handled things well, others played up, some suffered in silence. Covid hasn’t gone away and now we have the conflict in Europe, the cost of living crisis etc.
Regardless of how they’re coping, it’s still important for children to understand their feelings. That’s why we’ve produced a free journal for kids to own, encouraging reflection and evaluation. The schedule allows them to feel some agency over their life, whilst thinking back on the day’s achievements builds their sense of self-worth.
It’s worth noting children have now been thrust into our work/office ecosystems. With hybrid working families may share the same space and often teleconferences are happening throughout the day in close proximity to kids. The more observant child may take on the stress of ‘not disturbing mummy or daddy’s important work’ – speaking quietly, stifling play, walking on tiptoes. This raising of cortisol levels needs monitoring. They didn’t ask for it nor should they suffer for it.
While a lot of workplaces are being understanding and hearing a child’s voice in the background during a meeting is now the norm, we need to make sure our children understand this – that they exist, they have a voice, they make us who we are and they don’t have to hide.
Hope this helps. You can download the free kids’ journal here. It’s a 7 day booklet to print each week as needed.
Also, please feel free to reach out and let us know if this has worked for you or if you have your own tried and tested techniques. We’re keen to hear from you.
Stay safe.
