#Therapeutic Fostering. What are we talking about?

10 ways to help Children worried about Coronavirus

source: www.belongt.com

1. Manage Your Own Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to threats.  However, we cannot truly help others with their anxiety if we are overwhelmed by our own.  So, look at ways to manage your own stress. Our children will always pay more attention to what we do than the things we say.

2. Talk About It

Often the best way to support our emotional health is to discuss our worries with someone who is able and willing to hear them. Children need guidance appropriate for their developmental stage. How can you create a safe space for your child to talk with you?

3. Then Don't Talk About It

Covid-19 understandably seems to be the only thing anyone is talking about right now.  However, the more we talk about it without having any meaningful solutions, the more anxiety provoking it becomes. Have periods of talking about other things.  

4. Listen and Empathise

You don’t need to have all the answers, just listening and empathising with how they are feeling plays a role

5. Don't Let The Media Control Your Home

Keep connected to the outside world, but control how much of these messages are allowed into the home.

6. Involve Them In a Survival Plan

Our natural instinct is towards survival.  Involve them. What is the plan? Increase hygiene, decrease expenditure? Praise them for any good ideas they have shared. Praising them at this difficult time can-not be understated 

7. Keep Their Routines

Children need life to be predictable.  Mealtimes and bedtimes can remain the same as when they were at school. The rest of the day will need more creative planning – speak to your social worker or our therapeutic support team for ideas on this if this will be helpful.

8. Consider What Trauma This is Triggering

For many children their worries will be about losing loved ones, empty supermarket shelves, being stuck at home; all of which could trigger experiences of neglect before they came into care. 

9. Keep In Contact With People

We have the technology!

10. Remember Most People Will Be Okay

Most people will actually be okay.  Not everyone will contract the virus and the majority of those who do, will recover.  This needs to be a central message to our children.