August 2021 www.womanthismonth.com 12 LIFESTYLE | opinion I DON’T WANT TO GO OUT “ ” Since March 2020, parents have taken all recommended precautions to shield their children and themselves from the dangers of COVID-19. They followed instructions; they stayed home, avoided gatherings, and stayed away from family, friends, and group activities. Most kids remained in virtual schooling throughout the pandemic, which marks two academic years. Almost a year and a half later, as things begin to open up a little bit, most parents seem to increasingly hear the signature phrase: “I don’t want to go out.” Not to gymnastics class, not to the grocery store, not to their favorite restaurant, and even not to see grandma! Most parents find themselves perplexed and have no clue how to manage this new trend. Researchers who work directly with children and families suffering from anxiety, have declared this state of apprehension the kids have of leaving the safety of their home as understandable and, unfortunately, it will be the path to normal post-pandemic life. The pandemic led to abrupt and extended changes to families’ routines, including more isolation and removal from in-person schooling, that are associated with worsening mental health in young people, leading to a significant increase in reported youth anxiety, particularly concerning fears of the coronavirus, along with greater frustration, boredom, insomnia, and inattention. Unfortunately, kids aren’t the only ones affected emotionally by the pandemic; parents are experiencing burnout from trying to juggle work from home, school from home; add to that the fear from the virus itself and the anxiety that had crept into our lives and homes, leaving parents in a state of physical and mental exhaustion which makes parenting even harder, and makes parents unaware or even in denial of their children’s own emotional issues, which will undoubtedly make matters worse. Ouiam El Hassani tells us how to help kids readjust to going outside again.
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