In the midst of a coronavirus epidemic, the Easter holidays, which begin this Saturday, April 4 in zone C, will be holidays in confinement. Aline Nativel Id Hammou, clinical psychologist in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine), specialist in childhood, adolescence and parenthood, offers some tips for enjoying it anyway. By stating at the outset that it can be good to complain, but not more than "a day or two"!
How to approach these vacations which are not really?
ALINE NATIVEL ID HAMMOU. A great vacuum will settle. More school at home, more telework for some parents. We can quite afford, and it can even do a lot of good, to complain about it, showing our disappointment for a day or two. No longer, however! It is not a question of locking oneself in a depressed state, but rather of trying to make the most of your vacation while staying at home.
What advice would you give to get there?
You have to get into the "vacation" rhythm as if you were really there, with real moments of relaxation, carefree, reading, games and a little less with your eyes focused on the news to get a little distance of the virus. In the case where it was necessary to give up a trip, it can be saving to recreate, with the means of the edge, the atmosphere of the destination towards which one will not be able to go. If you had planned a few days of rest in Marseille, for example, play the game with the children as if you were there. We prepare a bouillabaisse in the kitchen, we dress as if we were going to the beach through role-playing games, we throw ourselves challenges and challenges around typically Marseille themes…
How to explain this particular period to children?
We must make them understand that this confinement is not a punishment and that everyone is subject to it in France and in many countries around the world. Explain that it is a decision of the President of the Republic and his government. That it is painful to live, but that it is for the good of all. This can be a good opportunity to approach the functioning of our institutions, a bit like a homework… vacation.
Is this the right time to talk about future, but distant, vacations?
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It's a great idea, because it's the best way to project yourself into post-containment. This makes it possible to dream of the next big holidays, those of All Saints' Day or those of the end of the year.