The countries across the world went into lockdown after the Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdown — that has brought the economy to a halt — has taken a toll on children’s health, who are restricted to their houses due to closure of schools and other recreational spots.
Mostly, children can’t express their feelings like adults, so they are adopting unhealthy activities to cope with the current situation. A worldwide open group discussion of the general public has revealed that such patterns have been in children all over the world.
There are two types of parents: ones who are worried about the adverse impact of lockdown; others, who think lockdown is beneficial for children.
The lockdown anxiety has impacted children in an adverse way, which is detrimental to their psychological health. While due to overeating children are getting fat, and overuse of electronic devices is making addicted to gadgets.
In addition to physiological health, parents are worried about the physical health as well. They are concerned that the situation may lead to vitamin deficiency especially, Vitamin D due to lack of sunlight.
Many parents are happy about the lockdown. They say children are becoming more responsible and have set their goals. Children are getting in touch with their families and becoming familiar with their values. They love not going to school but they are not missing their friends as they are playing online with them.
The lockdown is affecting children, yes. But is it the pandemic’s fault or the parents’? What I concluded from all of my observations that responsibility goes toward parents.
Here I would like to go back to our ancestors' lives who enjoyed their lives and relationship without any facilities that are available to us now. Their relations with children were tremendous, everyone was ready to spend time with children.
We are living in 21st century, we are overwhelmed with electronic media. Parents have less time to spend with their children so devices are the best solution invented to make them engaged. It's obvious that parents' way of nurturing leaves a long-term impact on children's future. It all depends on the parents, how they are communicating with them while they are also suffering in constant stress. In fact, due to the pandemic stress caretakers/parents don't want to laugh with children while they are worried about multiple threats like salaries cut or job loss.
The situational requirement for parents is to maintain a balance between survival and children's stress. Pay some extra attention to your offspring, build some positive thoughts, come up with new ideas of handling the current situation. Keep in mind this is the perfect time to teach children how to fight with problems in a productive manner. Help children to boost their strength, introduce them to indoor exercises, cut down on junk food and focus on more nutritious food.
Fixed timings must be assigned for their physical or electronic activities. During remote learning, reserve an exclusive study place in the home. If mobility within the premises is possible then better to switch places which could bring a positive effect.
Be your own therapist, learn how to fight with this battle, and help your family to cope with the situation. Encourage children to use devices wisely and produce some brilliant ideas. The situation will change one day but we will leave our footprints behind that will be a witness of our fight against the pandemic.