Mental Health Tips For Children Stuck At Home ⋆ Finding Inspiration

Recently, people and children all over the world were encouraged to stay home. Slowly, some states, countries, and cities are starting to open back up again. However, some families are still stuck at home. I know that over the last several weeks, I have watched my children react differently to our “new normal.” Here are some mental health tips for children stuck at home.

Disclaimer– I am not a doctor or mental health professional. These are ideas that have helped me, these tips may or may not work for you. If you are having a hard time dealing with depression, you should talk to your doctor or mental health provider. If you are having thoughts about death or suicide, call 911, a hotline, or mental health provider.

Mental Health Tips For Children Stuck At Home

Watch for Behavioral Changes

As parents, we need to be aware of our children and their mental health. Keep in mind that not all children react in the same way because all children are different, and ages come into play. However, here are a few frequent behavioral changes to look for:

Avoidance of favorite activities
Excessive worry or sadness
Irritability and “acting out”
Backsliding on behaviors they have outgrown (bedwetting, accidents, etc…)
Excessive crying
Difficulty concentrating
Unexplained headaches, body pain, stomach upset, or diarrhea

You can learn about more warning signs here.

Give Age-Appropriate Answers

When you are stuck at home (for any reason), please remember that your children are going to want a reason. However, you must give age-appropriate answers. Too much information can scare younger children, even older children, though they tend to not want to admit to it. It is essential to reassure your children that they are safe and validate their feelings. Let them know it is ok to feel uneasy, scared, or nervous.

Limit News Exposure

If you are stuck at home because of something that is going on in the world, not because of a health or family crisis, then you need to limit news exposure. Children can easily misinterpret what they hear or see and can be easily frightened by the media. Remember to be age-appropriate when it comes to what you tell your children or let them read about on their own.

Children Thrive with Routines

As a teacher, I have seen first hand how important it is for children to have a routine. This belief has become even more evident since I became a mom. Routines and schedules are a form of self-care for children. Considering their activities and school routines might be interrupted, it is crucial to give them a new structure, so they feel more in control of an uncontrollable situation.

Encourage your children to stick to a regular sleep schedule and work together to form a general timeline for activities (possibly school work) for each day. If you are new to homeschooling, use your resources, and keep in constant contact with your children’s teachers and school. For older children, you could even sit down each evening and discuss the routine for the next day. Help your child put together a to-do list of what assignments are due and when.

Maybe you could try to replicate normalcy for your children. For example, you could encourage your children to get out of their pajamas each day like they would for school or daycare.

Set Goals

When we aren’t stuck at home, our days are usually overbooked, which can lead to our to-do lists or projects getting pushed to the back burner. You could use this time to work together as a family and revisit some of those projects. Set down together, as a family, and make a list of goals. Maybe you have a list of books you want to read to your children? Or maybe your children want to reorganize or move around their room or playroom?

You could even turn your list into a fun, visual aid and let your children put stickers up for each completed task. For older children and teenagers, you could use this time to teach them essential life skills. For example, changing a tire or how to manage a budget.

Exercise

It’s essential to include some physical activity in your day to day routine. Exercise is an integral part of your physical and emotional health. Get the entire family outside to play some ball or go for a walk around the neighborhood. YouTube has some great yoga sessions for kids. I know that my kids and I love a good dance-off in the kitchen! Anything activity and fun to get the body moving and to make memories as a family.

Eat Well, Stay Hydrated, and Get Enough Sleep

It’s imperative to eat well and stay hydrated while being stuck at home. If you are taking care of your body, your mind will usually follow. You could include your children in dinner planning and cooking. Getting enough sleep is also essential to your children’s mental health.

Stay Active and Go Outside

This goes hand and hand with the exercise tip above. It is so important to get your children outside. Being stuck inside can do a lot of damage to your mental health. Vitamin D is good for the mind, body, and soul. Not to mention, I know my boys always sleep better after a day spent outdoors. Now, depending on your situation, this doesn’t mean to go to parks, etc…however, utilize your yard. If you live in an apartment complex and your “yard” is limited, you could always go for a walk or take your children’s bikes to a local parking lot to let them burn off energy that way.

Be Creative

Use this time to be creative or to learn something new. Drawing, knitting, using your imagination with cardboard boxes…whatever it might be. Just have fun, be creative, and make memories.

Have Patience

Patience is always a good trait to have. However, when dealing with times of uncertainty or change, patience is even more critical. It is normal to have some levels of stress or panic, especially for young children. Just be observant and make sure that their levels of anxiety and fear do not go above the “norm.”

Stay Connected

Humans are wired for connection. Thankfully, we live in an age where staying connected while physically apart is both comfortable and the norm. It is crucial to stay connected to friends and family. Here is a list of FREE video conferencing or video chat options for you and your family.

Zoom
Skype
Facebook Messenger
FaceTime
Google Hangouts Meet

My oldest loves getting to talk and see his Nana and friends from school.

Encourage Helping

Now is the time to start encouraging helping and maybe start some age-appropriate chores. Chores can help children feel empowered, and like they are part of the solution. This can be extremely beneficial for parents that have more than one child. Try to encourage your older children to help you with the younger children, especially when it comes to homeschooling.

Take Breaks

Whether it is homeschooling or chores, it is essential to take breaks during the day. Take this time to call friends or family, listen to music, go outside, or take up a new hobby. If you are calm, your children will usually follow suit.

Use Screens As Needed

I’ll be the first to admit that my kids have had more screen time than usual over the last few weeks. However, I try to make it educational and use this time to get my own work or chores accomplished. You could also use screen time as a family activity. My family and I love to play Super Mario in the evenings. We have a blast and enjoy a lot of laughs!

Reach Out for Help

If you have a child with special needs or a child that seems to be struggling mentally with being stuck at home, don’t be embarrassed to reach out for help. It is never a sign of weakness to ask for help.

Open communication and being aware of your children and their behavioral changes are crucial when it comes to monitoring their mental health. Remember that you are not alone, and there are so many resources out there if you find yourself stuck and worried about your children. I hope these mental health tips for children stuck at home gives you a good starting point. However, you must find what works best for you and your children. All kids are different. And, remember, when in doubt…hugs, kisses, and extra attention are always a good way to go.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31