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Loren Thacker's avatar

Kids are definitely picking up on adult anxiety. Adult anxiety regarding the pandemic is legitimate in the sense that (1) we are conditioning ourselves to expect zero-risk (or near-zero-risk) lives (which is not realistic) and (2) the if-it-bleeds-it-leads media trope is at a whole new level with social media and fragmented media generally (media constantly flog the worst news in order to attract eyeballs) — thus exacerbating (1).

When kids see, or even sense, adults freaking out, kids’ anxiety will probably be even worse.

My recommendation? Unplug from the Internet for extended periods of time (like — gasp! — for a whole day at least once a week). Get out of the house and engage the mind and body in meaningful activities (spending time with grandparents, working in a garden, walking in the woods).

The pandemic is bad. But it’s not as bad as many people treat it. Get vaccinated. Avoid packed crowds if possible. And reassure kids that they are likely safe.

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JenniferS's avatar

This essay totally nailed it. I have one kid home from a COVID exposure and one kid at school so I am having a spectrum of feelings.

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