Talking to Our Kids About the Coronavirus

How do we talk to our kids about COVID-19, Coronavirus?

It's scary for us as adults. What are kids thinking?

I'll tell you and I'm sure if you have kids you get this. My 14 year old is truly worried about this. She's not getting the panic from me, but of course everything on social media, her friends, and rumors that just go around. I've always been honest with Abs and any questions she "usually" has I answer with the best of my Mom abilities and with honesty.

I think number one I want her to feel safe. Now, how do I relay the feeling of "safe" when I'm freaking out a little bit. I stay calm with any questions about the virus. We've listened to the experts together, we've watched the news together, I said to her, "Abs we will get through this, the whole family, the whole community coming together to get through this.  The best way I could say it to her was, we all get sick, and we will feel better.

Thank god she's a good hand washer, she always was. She carries hand sanitizer and all those cute, little hand sanitizers that I bought her and I thought I was wasting my money, she's using now. Think about all the cute, little hand sanitizers, the thousands that were bought for an extra Christmas present, they're being used now.

She asks me everyday is her school going to close. Reality is, probably, she's not sure what that means. Does that mean I can't see my friends, can I ride my bike? The answers are still all unknown, but I think if she knows she has to do her school work on the computer, she'll have some type of routine. Our kids have a routine and my kid loves hers. She, thank goodness, loves school. She loves being social.

I say our world is a little different now. We have to do things a little differently. We will eventually be back to "normal", and we will be better than ever, because that's what we do. We pick ourselves up and make it better. We all have to get through it together. It's not just about you or me, it's everybody. "Can I still share my Doritios at lunch", she says. "Are you handing them out or is the whole school putting their fingers in your bag and grabbing them?" They're reaching in", she says with a half smile...Ummmmmmm, nooo, remember I said some things need to change, that's one of them.

Bottom line, as long as she knows she's safe, has her phone, she'll be fine. The things she loves to do like go to the movies, the mall, and other places might be put on hold for a little bit. Most importantly in this time of not knowing much, we must remember to stay positive and calm.

Let's have family time, maybe we will all learn to calm down a little bit and just enjoy each other.

Love each other and take care each other.