Kids talk COVID-19

6 May 2020|News|Volume 24 Issue 10

COVID-19 has permeated the collective psyche. And although kids may not be watching The National or spending their coveted screen time on the Health Canada webpage, COVID-19 is on their minds. I asked several parents to ask their kids—aged 5 to 13—about the new reality. Below are some of their responses, verbatim.

What is hardest about the way we live since COVID-19?

Not seeing friends as much. (Most kids listed some version of this.)
Getting antsy.
Libraries are closed.
Not being able to hug Grandpa.
So many people have died. (A few kids mentioned this.)
Not being able to celebrate stuff, like my birthday.
Being stuck with my brother and sister.
It’s hard to do school when there is the distraction of having a younger sibling at home.
Using screens all the time for school.
Not being able to see our grandpa and grandma in Oregon.
Having to be with my siblings all the time.

What is best?

More time to connect with family.
Chance to slow down.
Weekends are not as busy.
Opportunity to do things in a different new way, even though I liked the way things were before.
There’s no good parts.
Not rushing.
More time to draw.
Fun stuff like having a treasure hunt and playing computer games.
I get to be home schooled again.
More free time.
That there isn’t seven hours of school, and I get to do more screen time.
Not having to answer questions in front of the classroom.
Playing games online with other families.
Less tears shed at school.
More home time.
My dad is working upstairs, so we get to see him more.
We don’t have to wake up so early.
No school.
It’s good for climate change.
I can read lots.
Feels like a cold summer holiday.
More kitty time.

What advice do you have for other kids?

Even if things get really bad, you can try to find at least one thing that’s good.
Be lazy ’cause you can.
Play outside more.
Just deal with it.
Self isolate; don’t touch your face.
Do a video chat to see your friends.
You can have a birthday party by having friends drive by your house and they can leave gifts on the driveway, [and] you can leave gift bags for those that drive by.
Don’t be mean to your parents.
Learn something new; we have lots of time for that. I’ve learned to hula hoop while walking and how to do a cartwheel.
Go outside and play once you’re done your chores.
Get your parents to come to the park and run around with you.
If you are not used to homeschooling, take lots of breaks, especially outdoors, and ask for chocolate.
It’s going to be over.
Play a game with a family member.
Eat candy.

What advice do you have for parents?

Don’t freak out. . . . Don’t let the worries get to you; it’s not as bad as it seems.
Do something interesting with your kids.
Connect with your family in a way you wouldn’t have before.
Calm down; adults are too scared about coronavirus.
Make more crepes.
Unlimited screen time.
Don’t go waste your money on toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Let your kids be free and let them play Legends of Zelda.
Respect the rules and stay home, because people are getting hurt.
Make sure your children do their school work; they can be easily distracted when there are younger siblings at home.
Go to the park with your kids and play soccer.
Keep yourself safe, keep your kids safe and keep the earth safe.
Read the Narnia series to your family.
Let your kids go wherever the heck they want.
Let your kids sleep in or else they’ll be grumpy.
Help your kids do math.
Bake for your kids.
Don’t let the kids stay up too late.
Watch movies every weekend.