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Coronavirus Disease 2019
How to Help Your Kids Cope With COVID-19 and the Holidays
Tips from two Harvard-trained psychiatrists.
Posted December 3, 2020
Arguably, 2020 has been the most challenging year that many of us have faced. This is especially true for our kids. Many youths have dealt with canceled graduations and proms, adapting to virtual learning, and missing friends and loved ones due to the impact of social distancing. Now that the holiday season is upon us, many parents are looking for guidance on how to help their kids deal with a holiday season that will be uniquely different this year due to the coronavirus global pandemic.
Unlike most years, when many would eagerly look forward to the special times large family gatherings and people-packed traditions the holiday season typically brings, this holiday season will be vastly different due to COVID-19. Family traditions and events may be canceled. Holiday travel and family vacations may be put on hold. Spending treasured time with loved ones will be limited and restricted due to physical distancing and safety precautions. Some families may be financially impacted due to the economic fallout of the pandemic. Some youth may have lost family members due to COVID-19 and this may be the first holiday season without loved ones. Undoubtedly, this may be a difficult time for many of our kids.
We offer these tips on how to help your kids best navigate the holidays during COVID-19.
- Assess the current COVID-19 numbers in your community
Knowing the up-to-date information regarding coronavirus infection rate in your community can help you make plans for your family. Share this information with your kids. It will help when explaining things like why the family is not traveling for the holidays or why the family may decline social gatherings this holiday season.
- Review the CDC Guidelines
In September 2020, the CDC began issuing guidance on holiday celebrating during the current global pandemic. The information provided is very helpful and timely regarding many holiday topics (e.g., celebration of particular holidays, avoiding social gatherings, etc.). Share this information with your kids.
- Start planning now
The holiday “season” traditionally begins with Halloween and ends with the new year. With Halloween and Thanksgiving behind us, the remaining holidays are quickly approaching. Develop a plan for how your remaining holidays will look this year. Discuss this plan with your kids, sooner than later. Having a plan and a roadmap can help to alleviate anxiety for everyone. Will there be virtual family events with family members across the country? Will there be drive-by celebrations?
- Check in with your kids on how they are feeling
Your child may be struggling with the challenges of dealing with the current public health crisis. Listen to and validate your child’s feelings and closely monitor their behaviors and academic functioning. A decline in behaviors and grades are early warning signs that your child may have difficulty coping. Seek professional help if you are concerned about how your child is managing pandemic-related stress.
- Communicate with your kids
Have open and honest communication with your kids about their feelings and emotions about how the pandemic has impacted their holidays. Keep communications and information at age-appropriate levels. Share with them how you are feeling to model resilience and coping.
- Be flexible and creative
Instead of canceling your holiday season plans, developing creative workarounds may help to create holiday spark and special memories. Ideas such as potluck drop-offs, virtual family gatherings, and smaller family events with appropriate precautions may be helpful. Enlist your kids in creative projects (e.g., holiday decorating, trying new recipes, establishing new family traditions, watching favorite holiday programming such as movies and sports as a family).
- Help your child practice self-care
Even though the holiday season may bring special challenges, it is important that all children practice healthy self-care regimens. Help them maintain their routine, even during holiday breaks. Ensure your child gets at least eight hours of sleep nightly. Engage your child in vigorous physical exercise at least five days per week. Encourage fun, positive activities. Consider allowing your child time to spend time with a few supportive friends and loved ones (i.e., create a “social bubble”) to maintain social connections. Validate their feelings and emotions.
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