5 Tips for Helping Your Anxious Child Master Another Covid School Year

 

Unprecedented. It’s a word we’ve been hearing for months now.

When schools shut down in the spring and our kids were forced to homeschool, it felt surreal. Many of us assumed that by fall, Covid-19 would have all but disappeared, and life would return to normal.

With Labor Day in the rear-view mirror and a new school year underway, unprecedented is still a word that applies.

Whether your child went back to school in person this week, in a hybrid fashion or remotely, challenges continue to persist. And kids are feeling more anxious than ever.

Symptoms of Child Anxiety  

Recently, I’ve seen more kids in my online therapy practice in Illinois than ever for specific fears and phobias. In the midst of a pandemic, it stands to reason that a lot of kids are going to be afraid of germs, vomiting and getting Covid.

But it’s the obsessive thoughts and the compulsive acts they perform to keep themselves safe that are especially distressing. Your child is on edge and anxious, needing constant reassurance from you that they’re going to be okay. You’re exhausted from watching your child wash their hands for the hundredth time and the tears that go with it.

Other days, your anxious child may complain of stomach aches or cry over having to participate in Zoom sessions for school. They have a hard time focusing and understanding the lesson. They wonder if they’re falling behind and melt down due to the stress.

5 Tips for Helping Your Anxious Child with Covid

As a parent, you’re exhausted. And to be honest, your patience is wearing thin. At this point, you’re willing to give anything a try to get some relief. Here are some things you can try with your child.

Talk to your child about what to expect.

Kids thrive on structure and routine. If your child is feeling anxious about the school year, be sure to talk it out ahead of time. Share what you know in a clear and concise way so your child feels like they have a handle on what might or might not happen. Having some idea of what to expect gives kids a sense of control over the situation.

Encourage social interactions and contact in whatever way is safe and advisable.

At this point, our kids are really starving for social connection after being limited for many months. Pay close attention to how your child is feeling emotionally. Try to incorporate emotional check-ins into your daily schedule to gauge how they’re feeling in general. Check-ins can be formal and structured or informal and on the run. The important thing is to help your child identify, reflect on and share their emotions.

Plan a family activity in the future so your child has something to look forward to.

As the days get shorter and the weather changes, it can be tempting to stay home more. Don’t! For kids who are homeschooling, the days can often feel endless. Plan something fun that gets your whole family involved. A future event gives your child the understanding that we will come out of this pandemic…it’s not permanent.

Get your anxious child moving!

Physical exercise is so important. Endorphins are good for the brain so go for a family run, throw a ball around, walk the dog, rollerblade, jump on the trampoline and get some of that nervous energy out. You can also turn a slow walk into a practice in relaxation by asking your child to connect to their five senses. Have them simply count five things they can see, four things they can hear, three things they can touch, and two things they can smell. It’s an exercise in moving and noticing.

Continually remind your child of their strengths, resilience and resources.

When you see your child doing things successfully, acknowledge it, no matter how small. Praise them and be specific. “Great job practicing with your multiplication flashcards without me having to ask you. Way to go!” You want to help grow your child’s confidence so they understand they can tackle whatever challenges come their way. Helping your child see that they can do hard things is critical in instilling resilience and confidence. They’re reminded that they have what it takes and that they can get through this difficult time.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Can Help with Child Anxiety

Sometimes even after you do all the “right” things, your child still needs more help. Professional intervention is often needed, especially with irrational fears and/or obsessive compulsions. There is no shame in seeking online anxiety treatment for kids.

I’ve helped many kids with anxiety feel and function better in their lives. In just a handful of sessions using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), I help kids develop the skills and confidence they need to reduce the anxiety in their lives. It’s not only a highly effective counseling process but it also enables kids to create change in the shortest possible time.

What’s Holding You Back from Beginning Online Anxiety Counseling for Kids?

Perhaps you view online counseling as different from in person counseling? I understand.

Online counseling, however, delivers equal benefits to in-office counseling and also provides advantages for kids:

• Video chatting imitates the way kids are most comfortable communicating with friends.
• They may feel “safer” than visiting an office and talking to an adult in person.
• Kids can relax in a familiar environment and surround themselves with pets and favorite toys.
• Online counseling makes therapy more accessible to kids with severe anxiety.
• Online sessions are easier for parents to manage because no commute is required.

Researchers have also studied how kids respond to computer-based therapy and found that it can be helpful for both depression and anxiety.

Begin Online Therapy for Kids and Teens with Anxiety in Illinois and now Florida!

If your child or teen is struggling with anxiety, there is hope! Anxiety is highly treatable and online anxiety treatment at Briefly Counseling can help.

Using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, I help kids and teens reduce their anxiety and build resilience so they can become a happier, more confident version of themselves.

And kids love being able to receive counseling from the comfort and privacy of their own home. Studies have consistently proven that online therapy delivers equal results to in-office counseling.

As an experienced and caring therapist, I love providing counseling for anxiety. To start your child’s counseling journey, call me at 224-236-2296 or email Helena@BrieflyCounseling.com to schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation.

Helena Madsen, MA, LCPC is the founder of Briefly Counseling. I specialize in providing online short-term anxiety treatment for kids and teens ages 7 – 18 as well as Christian counseling.

Whether you’re on the North Shore, in Naperville, Chicago, Champaign, Barrington, Libertyville, Glenview, or downstate Illinois, I can help.

And effective 2024, I am now licensed in Florida! For parents in Jacksonville, Pensacola, Destin, Crestview, Coral Gables, Weston, Parkland, Naples, Marco Island, and Pinecrest, I have immediate openings.

Schedule your appointment or consultation today. I look forward to working with your child to quickly and effectively help them in activating their strengths, resources, and resilience, in order to live with confidence and hope.