While some children are excited at the idea of meeting their friends like they used to, your child could also be one of those who have grown anxious about social situations as a result of the prolonged curbs on social gatherings.

The lack of engagement with other people can lead to children’s reduced confidence in socialisation. One way to alleviate their anxieties is to acknowledge how out-of-practice we may all feel in social situations, and help them to realise how this probably applies to most of their peers as well, while encouraging them to recall how they used to cope with similar anxieties around people.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we may have observed numerous instances where information is disseminated, fabricated and/or shared online. There is the risk of your child being exposed to confusing and stressful news and media, which can negatively impact his or her mental health.

What we can do is to maintain our awareness on the latest news and media that our children are likely to be exposed to. Be open to having conversations with them to find out their thoughts about what they have seen in the media.

That way, you can identify and correct your child should he or she encounter troubling information online.

Take the time to find out how your child is coping with the changes brought about by the pandemic. Are they comfortable returning to the same level of interaction with people as they had pre-COVID? How do they feel about the current situation?

To get the conversation started, always try to ask them at least three questions before making any statement; this is important so that you may validate their feelings before deciding on the best course of action and the most appropriate advice you can offer them in preparing them to adapt to the new normals.

Faced with prolonged periods of staying at home, there is an increased chance of children developing mental distress as they try to cope with the many changes to their lifestyle.

As your child slowly resumes his or her pre-COVID activities, watch out for telling signs of anxiety and stress. Such signs include poor concentration, an increase in irritability, clinginess, aggressiveness, and withdrawal from activities and friends. Try to observe the ways your child engages with peers when the opportunity arises.

Parents play an important role in helping each child transition to normalcy. Should the need arise, consult and highlight any significant changes in your child’s behaviour to a professional.

After all the disruptions we have faced, especially in school, this is a period where your child may feel tired, worn down and unmotivated.

Set the tone in your family by encouraging your child to embark on mini-projects, like writing positive messages to their friends or to someone important in their life, or by sharing something special with their peers. That way, you can help promote an uplifting, positive atmosphere within your child’s social group, while also having your child and his or her friends cheer and look out for one another through this season!

The best way you can care for your child is to take care of your own mental well-being. Your mental health significantly affects the way you interact with your child, and he or she can definitely pick up on moments when we exhibit stress.

By performing self-care on ourselves, not only do we become more mindful of our behaviour around our children, but we also set an example for them to learn how to manage stress and anxiety.

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