HELP YOUR CHILD MANAGE A FEAR OF SOCIALISING

Cases of the Delta variant have spread in schools and, with summer holidays on the horizon, many young people may feel fearful of playdates and sleepovers. We need to support them

Children have been told that they can spread a disease that could kill the people they love most and, as a result, many are now very anxious. We need to help them build resilience and courage.

TAKE RISKS TOGETHER

Help your child live a life without fear. You may be anxious yourself, but taking them on fun trips doing “scary” things – such as high-rope trails or screaming together on a big roller coaster – will help them to rebuild their confidence. Try to avoid exposing them to the news as much as possible. Decide to make your home a “no-Covid zone”, as children are highly unlikely to become sick from it and it is time to for them to enjoy their childhoods. You may think they aren’t listening diligently to the newsreader’s words, but kids will absorb the negativity as our brains are programmed to pick up on anything threatening.

NORMALISE ILLNESS

If they are nervous about going to other people’s homes, remind them of a time you or they had a cold or tummy bug, and how they were able to play safely once they had fully recovered. Explaining that we have always had viruses, and always will, helps to make Covid-19 feel less threatening. If they feel that a jab is the only thing that will protect them, talk to them about the fact that experts feel children don’t need them for now, but say that a healthy immune system can be built up by having at least two hours outside a day, eating well, and taking a children’s vitamin D supplement. Remind them that being around other people helps to build their immune systems, too, so they start to see mixing as positive. Where anxiety is concerned, it’s important to expose yourself to the thing that scares you. Whatever your child is afraid of, help them confront it little by little. If a sleepover scares them, for example, agree that they could see a friend for the day instead.

GET SOME HELP

If their social phobia is overwhelming in spite of all your best efforts, see your GP to discuss options, which may include going on a waiting list for some counselling.

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