Kids are sponges, which is great and also frightening, right? Little ears are ALWAYS listening. With all the talk about COVID-19 and the many changes to family routines due to school closings, changes in parents’ work schedules, and cancellations of many events, this can raise concerns and questions. So how do we talk to our kids during this health crisis?
A few days ago, my five-year-old grandson came in the front door. As he did, I held up my hand to give him a high five. He left me hanging and said, “No high-fives, Gigi. You know—flu and corona-na-virus (yes, he added an extra syllable). So my teachers say, no high-fives.”
As someone who’s worked with kids and families for decades (and coached people through all kinds of fear and trauma), I can tell you the most important thing to keep in mind is that our emotions and reactions convey to our kids how they should feel.
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