Posted on 03/27/2022 7:43:30 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Changing mask protocols could be hard for some kids to understand.
"It's natural for children to feel some anxiety," said Jennifer Louie, clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit specializing in kids' mental health.
Louie recommends parents transition kids slowly by asking them lots of questions about how they feel, and says it's important to validate whatever the child says.
"Like, 'Oh, yeah, that makes sense, that you're nervous. I'm a little nervous, too. We've been doing it this way for so long,'" said Louie. "'Oh, the grown-ups have thought about this. It makes sense.'"
She says kids need a thorough explanation of why the situation is safer now. Parents can talk about how case rates have dropped substantially and vaccines are widely available. These are details that help kids understand the bigger picture.
The playground could become contentious as some kids ditch masks and others keep them on. Louie suggests getting ahead of impending peer pressure by explaining that risk is different for each family.
"For example, 'We can only control what we do. And so this is what we're doing,'" said Louie. "And, you know, we can talk about it. Our plan is a flexible plan. We can always change it based on, you know, how we're feeling."
If younger children experience teasing Louie recommends parents tell their kids to enlist a grown-up to help. For older kids the best tactic is to ignore or distract a bully because teasing only works if an oppressor gets a rise. You can help your kid come up with a few things they can say to prevent a bully from getting what they want.
She says it's also probably wise to warn kids they might have to put their masks back on if another variant emerges and cases surge.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
Yes, brought to you by those who want to take over control of your children — “for their welfare”.
Of course, kiddies are anxious — first day, 15 minutes. If beyond that, M&D screwed up really bad.
as to those who can’t handle dumping masks, these are the future politicos and bureaucrats of the world.
IMO, a lot of these kids have been psychologically damaged by this. An entire generation of damaged kids, thanks to some very evil people
The only people struggling are the ones that want control over everyone. No child wants to wear these stupid things.
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