Let's make our kids happy!

When the Government announced reopening of schools in January end, I was a little shocked and surprised! Shocked - because my locality had so many cases of Omicron….then why would we want to open schools and expose our young children was my thought! Surprised – because when?I read through some statistics I found the correlation and the justification of why this actually is a very good decision!

Lockdown…..masks….social distancing……words that never were a part of our daily dictionary have become an inseparable part of today’s life of young school and college going children. The world is not the same and being locked inside their rooms, the world has changed drastically for the students. They havn’t met their friends for ages now. They are bored to swtich on the laptop for the next online class. They want to go out and play football and badminton. They want to socialize, make new friends and enjoy new experiences – things that got stopped in this ‘new normal’.

BCG report of Jan 2022 says that the children have faced umpteen challenges in online learning, both academic and behavioural. ~37% parents responded their child didn't study at all at home, 71% responded child didn't have test/exam in last 3 months ~49% parents responded their child is facing an improper schedule (e.g., for studying, sleeping, eating etc.), not to forget the stress and anxiety created due to the learning loss during the pandemic.

Reports say there is high prevalence of anxiety and depression among students. The American Psychological Association (APA) study suggests that nearly 81% of Gen Z teens Gen Z teens (ages 13–17) experience more intense stress due to COVID-19. China was the first country to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and it has high cases of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among the students. This is ‘corona depression’….wherein the child feels lonely and deep sadness, has complete lack of motivation, paralyzed by boredom, depressed due to online teaching and cannot concentrate any longer -?they have hit their rock bottom!

Being a mother to a teenager as well as working for 530+staff which caters to 9000+ students in our AKESI network, I feel it is high time we stop neglecting the emotions of the kids as well as the way corona has altered their life. The after effects of Corona is going to stay for a long time with our kids and it is our responsibility to make small changes and value add to their life so that they can again be normal and happy.

What can we do about it?

·??????Let us control our own anxiety and reassure kids when they feel helpless and scared.

·??????Anxiety and fear can be lessened by pursuing healthier lifestyle. Let us encourage our children to work out at home, go out during the day on the terrace or balcony and let their body soak some sunlight.

·??????On a long term basis, let’s make our kids pursue a hobby. They have been out of touch perhaps in these last two years….but a piano or kathak or any other hobby of their choice will do wonders for them.

·??????Gardening, cleaning their wardrobe or helping parents with cooking – these are tasks that can keep them busy and is therapeutic.

·??????Play dates with friends who stay near by and in one’s or two’s and not a crowd might be a good idea…..the more they socialize, better they will feel.

·??????If possible, make them volunteer. When we see others who have a more difficult life, we start cherishing what we already have.

·??????There is a need to increase their feeling of accomplishment – let them make small victories and celebrate that. This feeling of accomplishment will create positivity in their life.

My daughter has been asking for a pet dog for a long long time. I have been very sceptical about getting one as I am very scared of dogs. But I am contemplating to get one – as I understand that a pet brings lot of joy and love in our homes so I wouldn’t want my daughter to miss on that and also get comforted during these stressful times! That is my way of dealing with the present situation and making her feel ‘happy’. Let us all find our own ways of doing that because before their academic accomplishments or any other successes, the fact that is supremely important is that they should be HAPPY!