How do you stay calm for your children?

[Bluewavescrashing]

My DCs know to wash their hands properly in order to protect the elderly. But they seem blissfully unaware that adults are very worried about CV.

How can I keep calm for them when I'm very anxious?

I don't know. I'm trying to be calm but I lost it twice yesterday. My 12 year old DD refused to wash her hands when she got in and before she ate (as per advice) for 20 seconds. She said "just because they are telling us to do it doesn't mean we have to". I have 3 underlying health conditions; my husband has 2.

My youngest DD (7) was arguing with me in the supermarket that we should buy a big bag of ice rathe than food for the freezer.

Don't know how to explain just how serious this is without terrifying them

If your DC are blissfully unaware, then they aren't picking up on you panicking OP, don't give yourself too hard a time.

Mine aren't worried, they are late primary age. I have told them about hand washing, they watch the news and I have been so blunt as to say CV is unlikely to kill them, but could kill their grandparents.

They know, but aren't worried - and are still nail bite.

We had an early discussion and I said it was just a new kind of flu, I was likely to get it at some point but that children seemed not to. He’d have to bring me lemsip & tissues in bed. He now knows “what to do” and is reassured by that. He gravely checked the lemsip & tissue stocks.

Mine are 7&8. They know there's a nasty illness going around, that washing hands stops us getting ill, and that some fun things may have to be cancelled to stop us all getting ill.

The 'fun things' includes DD2s birthday party. She has rough plans to rearrange for June.

It's tricky. I have two children who don't seem bothered and one who can't sleep and keeps on telling us it is the end of the world (he has form for this!) We are not watching any news with them and are just answering questions as honestly as we can. My kids haven't been at school for a month now so the younger ones have only really discussed it with us.

I don't know. I'm trying to be calm but I lost it twice yesterday. My 12 year old DD refused to wash her hands when she got in and before she ate (as per advice) for 20 seconds.

That's disgusting even if there wasn't a pandemic.

How did she get to 12 without understanding you wash hands when you get in etc

I won't be taking mine to the supermarket again. I had to yesterday and had to do a lot of cheerful "oh well never mind, it's okay, we'll just pick something else" when faced with all the empty aisles.

I basically finding all the funny memes and jokes I possibly can and sharing them with friends.

Then giving myself dedicated worry time away from them.

There are some pretty funny ones around; hadn't realised that it's my strategy till yesterday.

We're in Spain, 8yo is relatively calm about lockdown. I've told him it's like a flu and handwashing helps prevent it jumping from person to person. He has come out with some utter crap that he's heard at school: covids in the tap water, it's ok to pick your hands clean, you shouldn't shake hands but first bumps are ok but I've been gently questioning these theories to turn him into a critical thinker and he trusts us completely.

Other than that, lots of Skype with family and friends, he's playing chess via WhatsApp with one friend

I got very panicky last night after going to bed, I must admit. But we've been very very careful not to let DS pick up on any worries we're feeling. Mostly I stay of the internet or I'd jump off my balcony.

I'm trying but I am the most scared I've ever been. Dc and I have asthma and I have an elderly mum. I can't think of anything other than what if scenarios and I can barely eat or anything. Kids seem ok: I'm in a constant state of panic.

www.educatingmatters.co.uk/blog/talking-to-kids-about-coronavirus/

This is helpful

I have teenagers and there's lots extremes online they are facing from kids laughing making jokes to scare mongering.
At their age it's about being honest with them. 1 I've bought extra food in so if I get sick or (as I suspect) the shops are places we don't want to go due to people panicking then we can go into lock down and have an eclectic mix of food.
2 I've spoken about 2 people who are worried, my Nana and a friend. For both they are fixated on a small thing (hand gel) so I posted some to my Nana and got my friend the items she's worried about. Not because they need it because it gives them peace of mind. I've asked mine what they are most concerned about selling out of and offered to get it if they have a worry.
3 we've bought stuff to do in an event of a lock down. I've a laptop with dodgy keyboard so replaced it so of they need to do school work can. I'm off to get paint and art supplies for my daughter. I set them a task last night and said if you're locked in for 1 month, loads of time on your hands what skill do you want to master. Pending what they say today (ideally it won't be learn to play piano!!!) Then we can get stuff to make that a reality.
4 were creating a leaflet to put through the doors of neighbors (small rural village) to offer and support any in the case of lockdown with food
Open communication, talking about fears and putting positive actions in place and being kind to others all shows them this is something we'll get through if we simply work together

Thanks for this. Interestingly I phoned my parents in a panic yesterday and they played it right down to me, saying we will all be fine, which was sweet. I guess it's what parents do! My dad even asked my brother who is a hospital doctor to phone me and reassure me. He is very good with panicky patients. I know full well they are all pretending to help me feel better. If they can do it for me, I can do it for the kids!

I am finding that my almost 5 year old is actually keeping me calm.

*@MaomiMak
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That's disgusting even if there wasn't a pandemic.

How did she get to 12 without understanding you wash hands when you get in etc*

She's 12 and pushing the boundaries... I was never taught to wash my hands when I got in (I grew up in the 70s) yes before you eat, but when you get in? This is a new concept to us.