These recommendations are general guidelines that must be adapted to each child, age, personality and circumstance.
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The current situation that we are experiencing with the coronavirus is having, and will continue to have, very significant repercussions at all levels (family, social, work, personal, economic, political, technological, etc.). I think no one denies that the coronavirus will be a turning point at all levels, but what about our boys and girls? Who takes care of them, who thinks about them and who covers their basic emotional and social needs? Why can't children go outside? Of course, politicians and senior officials do not waste a second of their time thinking about one of the most vulnerable groups: minors. Fortunately, they are asymptomatic in the face of this pandemic that we are experiencing and suffering, but COVID-19 has and will have great repercussions for them.
Sigmund Freud said that the three great fears of the human being are the fear of chaos, attack and loss or abandonment. Wow, what a coincidence! In these moments of so much suffering and uncertainty, we are afraid of the chaotic situation we are experiencing, the attack of a virus that is killing many people worldwide is lurking, and, ultimately, we are afraid of losing our loved ones. And of course that among the most vulnerable groups to experience these three types of fears are our sons and daughters. I never tire of repeating the great importance of protecting children and promoting good treatment.
As long as politicians, rulers and people of power continue without protecting our children, continue to silence them and disregard them as citizens not of the future, but of the present, it will be up to mothers and fathers to take charge, not without much fear and suffering, to cover, to the extent of our possibilities, the needs they have so that they can emerge strengthened or, at least not damaged, from this terrible situation we are experiencing. That is why, with the intention of putting mothers and fathers to work, I list a series of guidelines or orientations so that the true superheroes of children, their mothers and fathers, take into account in these days of confinement. Of course, there are general guidelines that must be adapted to each child, age, personality and circumstance:
Establish routines : it is clear that we do not follow the school routine but it is important to follow a new routine now. Avoiding getting up in the morning too late and also not going to bed too late at night is important to get the body and mind used to a new way of life. Physical activity and balanced diet : it is advisable to try to exercise daily, even if we do not have the country or the city to go running. In addition, it is easy to fall into bad eating habits due to the stress and anxiety situation we live in. Do not get carried away by the ultraprocessed and the sugars that soothe so much in a situation of stress. Mental activity : it is important to keep our children mentally active with games and activities such as board games, finding the seven differences, puzzles, puzzles, mazes, etc. Encourage the autonomy of the smallest: it is a good time to help our children develop their autonomy with tasks such as learning to make bed, brush their teeth alone, tie their laces, cook a delicious snack, etc. Of course, all activities to promote autonomy must take into account the age and circumstance of the minor. Learning to tolerate frustration: surely there will be situations and activities that our children will want to carry out but it will not be possible, such as going outside. This is a good time to build your tolerance for frustration and learn to wait. Talk about emotions: having times for our children to express what emotions they experience is essential. Surely anger, sadness and fear will appear on several occasions. Let them express them and take charge of them. Don't forget to also express your fears and your moments of sadness and worry. Connect with your children: so many days and so many hours can help us bond more and better with our children. We have before us a great opportunity that we must take advantage of to team up and bond with our puppies in a healthy way. Boredom: it is the emotion of non-emotion. There will be times when our children get bored. It will be a great learning for them. Allow it and allow it. Fun tasks: like dancing, painting, coloring, doing puzzles, reading stories, crafts, playing the world backwards, promoting symbolic games, playing hide and seek, etc. New: you can surely have the feeling that all the days we are spending at home are the same. It's like groundhog day, right? Although a routine is necessary, it is also okay for us to do some routines differently. For example, candlelight dining, dressing up, or a pillow fight may be some ideas that can be useful and entertaining. Uncertainty principle: curiosity encourages concentration and learning. A task as simple as announcing to our children that we have a small surprise ready for them at six in the afternoon, can be very motivating. And the task can be as simple as doing a snack with pancakes with cream. Many times, in simplicity lies the key. Caring for the use of electronic devices: of course you can “survive” confinement without watching television, but if you are not willing, it is important that there are a series of very clear rules for its use and enjoyment. These are some of the guidelines that can make day-to-day with our children at home more bearable. All of them are common sense but it is not wrong to refresh them so that these days are more pleasant and profitable. From here, my appreciation to the mothers and fathers who are educating from the base of good treatment so that our minors are happier and more resilient. Congratulations moms and dads!
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