What If The Children Were Afraid To Go Out On The Streets? – Being Parents

It seems that we have done well; indeed, we have made progress in this fight we are waging to defeat the coronavirus (COVID-19). A proof of this is that, little by little, and with certain restrictions, both adults and children are starting to be able to leave their homes. But what if your children are afraid to go out in the street?

From the habit of quarantine to going out on the streets again

Enough time has passed since the containment measures were put in place that many of us have gotten used to it. But, now that little by little we can go out into the streets, we have to get used to a new daily routine.

In this sense, at the psychological level, this crisis situation caused by the coronavirus affects us all … And in many ways. As some psychologists note, as well as many adults, most children have become accustomed to the confinement situation. They accepted it as something normal.

Little by little, families will then have to leave the chaos behind. Organized chaos, of course, but chaos all the same. We must now move from a life of confinement at home and a certain flexibility in the schedule to an almost total reorganization of our days. And this while taking into account the time restrictions and the necessary precautions to be able to go out.

However, in the case of the little ones, adapting to this new situation may not be easy. Likewise, it was not easy for them, when the state of health emergency was declared, to get used to being at home. And without being able to go out to school or to the park.

This is why adults must be able to help the little ones get used to this new situation. So, they have to be patient. But also try to find out and understand the reasons why some children may be more reluctant. Or even show a certain fear when going out into the street.

Why are children afraid to go out on the streets?

The fact that children, now that we can leave our house again, are afraid and express it, can be explained in various ways. Indeed, they can:

• Believe that they can infect themselves or pass the virus on to family members
• Knowing that, although they can go outside, they will not be able to keep physically close to their friends or neighbors, nor to play in the parks

• Be aware of the omnipresence of the police or military forces in the streets. This situation can cause, in some young children, feelings of respect or incomprehension.
• Having to get out of their comfort zone by being in the street with the family

What can be done to prevent children from being afraid of going out on the streets?

As parents, we must take into account certain precautions and resort to a few strategies so that the little ones can gradually resume things as they usually happen. As they were before the coronavirus was present in our lives.

First of all, it is important not to put any pressure on them in order to avoid causing them any anxiety. Secondly, we have to listen to them and try to understand the reasons why they do not want or cannot go out on the streets.

To help children come to terms with this new situation and get out on the streets, we can:

• Explain and show them the positive side of it by telling them about the extent to which their body and mind need to be in the sun. As well as the benefits of the latter for their development

• Use their imaginations: we need to remind our children that they have been at home for a while. That their things and that outside they can discover wonderful surprises
• Awaken their illusion and their curiosity: encourage them to find their friends and neighbors, to whom they will surely have a lot to tell. All the anecdotes of the quarantine and the activities done at home with the family during confinement … But still maintaining the social distancing measures

• Going out gradually: Of course, we are now allowed to go out with our children every day. But it is better to start by doing it gradually. And if a child expresses certain fears, they should be listened to and only go out on the days when they feel better able to do so.
• Pay attention to the information we give our children about the coronavirus: obviously children must know and respect the rules to follow to limit the spread of the virus when they go out. However, they should not feel overwhelmed by too many and too constant recommendations and other instructions.

Finally, it is also important to …

We are going through a complicated period. And we do not even know yet the consequences that this pandemic will have on the social, economic, personal, emotional, psychological, etc.

It is inevitable that we all have fears. And that the feeling of uncertainty invades us constantly. But, as adults, we have to make an effort. We must therefore pay attention to the little ones to help them manage their emotions… and more particularly their fears.

So, to avoid fueling the feeling of fear that our children may have when going out on the streets, it is essential to avoid talking about the virus all the time. We must limit the constant exposure of children to information and conversations on the subject.

We have to try to be enthusiastic. But also to talk to our children about the wonderful aspect of being able to go out on the streets to play and have fun.