I'm writing this post at 1am probably because I drank too much coffee today trying to stay awake and do a zillion things at once. Long story short - I was teaching online during a thunderstorm outside and had to ensure all my own kids were actively engaged too. We did it -just about!
I wanted to write this post as a reminder we are only human and not to expect too much of ourselves during this time. In particular I want to focus on our teenaged children, and how all this change and upheaval has affected their mental health. Two months ago they'd only heard of one kind of Corona and now here it is affecting their daily life and I don't know what your teenagers are like but I did manage to get some quotes from a few I know and it surprised me a little bit how deeply they think about these things. I honestly thought they'd be happy to have no school for a few weeks in fact I asked my friend’s nephew for his opinion for my blog today and his mum told us he was asleep and glad there was no college for a few weeks! Although some of the other teenagers are very worried and stressed about this whole new situation that’s come about affecting our ‘normal’ daily lives.
I don't mind if I get the virus myself but I am worried about infecting my baby sister as she has a heart condition so she's really vulnerable.
M, 14, Bolton, UK
I am probably one of the few people actively avoiding corona updates because of the stress and fear and anxiety it induces in me instead I am trying to focus on the positives. One of my friends pointed out our WhatsApp group was filled with articles and corona news ever since we first heard that the schools were closing so we've purposely tried to talk about other things as much as possible.
Anyway the motivation for this post was to support those who may be feeling blue after hearing all this news. For a normal healthy person the anxiety levels are rising due to the uncertainty of the last few weeks so spare a thought for this who suffer from anxiety and worry on a daily basis.
My advice is to deal with such issues spiritually, whatever your religious inclination normally is, call on your Lord to guide you, protect you and keep you safe. Keep the information limited and focus on things you can do and enjoy the free time you have to pursue your hobbies or catch up on your chores and spring clean like one of my sisters’ has decided to do.
I'm sad that I'll miss my prom and I might have to wait another year to go to college.
R, 16, Devon, UK
Parents/carers need to get involved in supporting their teenage children
I want to point out that our teenagers may be feeling extra worried and they have every right to be because they're living though something their parents (and grandparents) are facing for the first time in their lives so they are bound to feel some sort of anxiety. I think we need to just focus on them and reassure them that this will pass and it's a temporary phase. Although that's easier said than done.
I feel like Corona has made everyone step back and think that this World is temporary.
M, 15, Dubai, UAE
Resources and references for this blog and links that can help:
Article Relaxation tips Building resilience Validate their feelings
[First published March 23rd 2020]