COVID Mental Health & Our Children

I’m curious to know how parents feel about their children going back to school before a vaccine is made and tested for COVID-19? As this virus continues to ravage our country, I am sure our children have concerns and I know as an adult I have concerns! It appears absolutely no one is on the same page about the proper steps to take for slowing down, or better yet eradicating this virus. What I do know is people seem defiant when it comes to the suggestion of doing something as simple as wearing a mask. “It infringes on their rights”. Well, you know what? You won’t have any rights to worry about if you are dead.

Okay, back on topic… My daughter attends Temple University and her classes are currently scheduled for online. She is a Biology major and will have labs possibly requiring in person attendance on campus. My family is blessed and therefore my daughter has an off campus apartment. She does not have to share her space with anyone who may not take COVID precautions seriously. So this gives her one level of protection and comfort. Her home is her safe haven and I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe and has what she needs.

My daughter is very educated about COVID and takes this illness very seriously. She wears a mask, washes her hands, sanitizes etc. This is her second level of protection. Although my daughter is educated and doing everything she can to protect herself, she still came to me with concerns. I as her mother cannot change what is going on in the world, but I did recognize my daughter needed me. We had a conversation, additional steps were taken, and she is now back on track and has officially moved back to Philadelphia.

With that being said, what precautions are you taking as a parent to protect your children, no matter the age or the school? How is the mental health of your child? This is very important because children will not always talk about what they are feeling and those feelings could turn into something dangerous, behavioral, or something worse. I know my adult children inside and out. They talk to me about everything. Sometimes it’s TMI (too much information) but I’d rather have TMI than not know something is going on with one of them. My children express their fears and anxieties, they share their life experiences, and they are comfortable with doing so. This is one safety net all children should have and depend on, but life throws us curve balls and I know this is not always the case.

Take the time to talk to your children of all ages. Lay the foundation in the early years if possible. Be open with your children. Unfortunately we can not hide our children from the world or the world from our children. The world is crazy and the children need the support of their parents. Hell, as old as I am, I am still blessed to have my parents to talk too. Mental health is serious. Listen to your children. No one should know your children better than you. If you, as the parent, are not able to or do not know how to comfort your children, call a friend, call a professional. It’s okay not to have the answer, but it is not okay to not recognize and understand the messages your child/children are sending you. Please answer their cry for help. It could be the difference between life & death. It is just that serious.