What can parents and children do to survive self-isolation and quarantine as bearably as possible... and each other?
Self-isolation and quarantine are the only real measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Prevent physical contact with the outside world, cut off contact with friends, acquaintances, stop public life.
So we were left alone. In a narrow family circle 24 hours a day for at least 14 days.
All routines, all habits, the way of life we are used to are turned upside down. Schools are closed, as are offices and other workplaces. Parents who have to work from home face many problems. The way they work will now depend on the age of the children, the living environment and, of course, the very nature of their work.
Those who spend time in self-isolation alone or in pairs are likely to be much more productive. Those who are in self-isolation with their whole family have to deal with many problems and disruptions at work.
When routines are over and families are forced to live together, in a hermetic circle, this change can bring a series of negative consequences, he says dr. Carly Johnco, a clinical psychologist from Macquarie University: from low mood, anxiety, extreme levels of frustration, all the way to depression.
Even the professor Leah Waters from the University of Melbourne says that self-isolation can critically affect three important components of our mental health: to our sense of autonomy, to our sense of connection with others, and to our sense of competence (sense of efficacy).
To make the adjustment to life in self-isolation or quarantine in the family circle easier, consider the following...
Divide the tasks
It is important that you sit down as a family and talk and make agreements, make a kind of family contract that you will all stick to. Discuss what your biggest challenges will be. Find out what are the advantages of each member of the family that can help to spend quality time in quarantine. Be honest about the concerns and expectations you have. Discuss what role each individual can play.
Be honest
It is very important that parents listen to their children and their fears and have an honest conversation about the current situation in a way that is appropriate for the children's age. Talk about the facts and the feelings, says Waters. By voicing their fears out loud, children will regain a sense of control over the situation. Parents should try to avoid excessive reading of the news. They should be careful when choosing sources. They should choose credible sources. This will relieve their anxiety and gain control.
Establish a new routine
For normal functioning, it is necessary to establish a new routine, which is not necessarily so strict. Routines give people a sense of security, and this security is even more important at this time. If you are in self-isolation with your children, keep a similar routine to what you were used to before. In the morning, eat breakfast, check the news, and then have the children do the homework that was sent to them from school for the day. If you have the opportunity, spend as much time as possible in the garden, if not, go for a walk in the nearby forest every day. When walking, avoid parks and popular excursion spots (Šmarna gora, Rožnik...), where many people stay! Also establish a late afternoon and evening routine: cook together, read books, watch a good movie. The time you are forced to spend together should be as high-quality as possible and, above all, spent responsibly.
Move a lot
Physical activity is key to maintaining well-being. Frustration and boredom occur in children when they do not have enough opportunities to be active. Creative games in the garden will keep both children and parents busy. If you don't have a garden, choose guided workouts on YouTube and exercise in your living room.
Do what you've been putting off for a long time
The feeling that you have done something, moved something during the time of isolation will be great for both parents and children. Think about the household chores that you have been avoiding for (too) a long time: tidying up the cupboards, minor and major repairs, general cleaning of the apartment or house, perhaps repainting a wall or redecorating one of the rooms... In short, do all the things you would otherwise never do you find time.
Give each other enough space
Many families are not used to spending a lot of time together. Even when they go on family vacations, they distract themselves with a wide variety of activities, preventing them from spending intensive time together. We will not be able to avoid this in self-isolation. We will be forced to spend time together without being able to run away or distract ourselves with various activities. That is why it is very important to learn to respect that everyone also needs time for themselves.
Keep in touch
Keeping in touch with your friends is key to maintaining your well-being. Children can keep in touch with their classmates and peers through social networks, via Snapchat, Instagram, Skype and of course the phone. These contacts are crucial to the social support we can offer each other.
