How parents in the UAE can help kids deal with COVID-19 loneliness

NOT ALL BY THEMSELVES: It’s been a terribly tough year; friends have fallen by the wayside as have hobbies and interactions. Kids may feel more isolated now than ever before. In such a case, how can a parent help ease the child’s emotional stress? How can we reassure them that it’s going to be ok? We asked the experts.

A PAT ON THE BACK GOES A LONG WAY: Sneha John, Clinical Psychologist, Camali Clinic, Child & Adult Mental Health, says parents can help by building their child’s self-confidence. “Telling them exactly why you are impressed with them and letting them know how much you value them can go a long way.”

SHOW DON’T TELL: Maša Karleuša Valkanou, psychologist and family psychotherapist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, says: As always, the rule is – “put the oxygen mask on yourself first, than help your children”, that means keep close attention to dedicate your time to keep social connections and emotional bonding. Make sure you have video time with people that you can’t visit and make an effort to organise meetings with your friends, one or two at the time, outside in nature and open spaces. Dubai, being too hot for being outside is not helping, but there are still open areas where you can safely spend a day with your friend.

ASK QUESTIONS: “Amidst all the changes stemming from the pandemic, parents can regularly check in with the children for at least an hour daily. For parents struggling to find the words, try saying, “This is a tough time. I want to know how you’re experiencing this. What are you finding that’s helping you get through it? How can I support you?” says John.

LOWER TECH TIME: “Reduce technology time to maximum two hours per day. In that way you will see the real need that a child has, it will not be masked with a screen addiction,” suggests Valkanou.

FRIENDS ARE PRECIOUS: “Make sure that your child spends time with a friend at least few hours per week in an activity that follows COVID precautious,” she adds.

EXTRA CIRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Enroll your child in an activity (sports, arts…) where there are other children and where COVID measures are respected, says Valkanou..

SCHOOL SHOULD BE PHYSICAL: Do not give in to online schooling, however easier that might be. Social interactions in school are extremely important for your child’s emotional development. Most of schools are having programmes allowing children to be present in the class at least few times per week, explains Valkanou.

FAMILY TIME: Make a new family ritual where you will do something together once per week without technology involved – play board games, sports, just talk, karaoke night, etc.

CAUTIOUS MEETS: If you are vaccinated and did a PCR test, you can spend some time visiting family or close friends, says Valkanou.

ROUTINE IS KEY: John says: "Routines are also an important part of ensuring order and rhythm to daily life. Children should be encouraged to have bed and wake up times. They should be encouraged to get dressed in the morning, eat regular meals and engage in activities that do not involve the use of screens."

TALK ABOUT IT: Parents can adopt an honest, hopeful, future-oriented approach while dealing with their children. This does not mean that a denial that problems exist. It is an opportunity for parents to model resilience in the face of uncertainty and bouncing back from setbacks, says John.

BOOK CLUB: Valkanou adds: “You can organise a book or a movie club where children will read a book or watch a movie and then discuss together their impressions either via Video call or in person if it is safe to do so.”