If we learnt anything from the prolonged pandemic, it’s that many of us adults realise we need varying degrees of support and guidance in relation to mental wellbeing. Similarly, our children too may be struggling to cope with the stresses of the new normal, such as managing anxieties around transitioning back to physical classes.

Battling a tug-of-war situation between navigating a new learning experience remotely, limitations in socialising with peers, disruption to physical activities and hobbies, and being confined within the household; it really makes you wonder, “How are my kids really doing?”

Responding through Gardenia’s ‘Wellness Begins at Home’ Survey conducted in collaboration with Cilisos Media, Malaysian parents reflected on how the first MCO affected their children:

• 20.5% of parents said that their kids spent too much time on their phones, computer or TV;
• 11.1% said that their kids experienced more difficulties studying;
• 5.2% revealed that their children had difficulty interacting with people due to the prolonged isolation;
• 5% said their kids threw more tantrums.

Trust your instincts

It may be easy to brush off small behavioural changes in your children, chalking it down to an adjustment period due to the pandemic. Trust your parental instincts. Unusual loss of interest in hobbies or challenges in socialising with friends, for instance, could be red flags worth exploring. If you feel that your child is struggling in silence, here are some suggestions to delicately consider these suggestions:

1. Talk to them

As much as we hate to admit it, Malaysians generally tend to shy away from having heart-to-heart talks with our family members. But, as the saying goes, the first step is always the hardest. Approach your child with an open mind and be honest with any questions they have about the future or any current worries they have. Sometimes, they just want someone they can express their feelings to and feel reassured. At the end of the day, you want to remind your child that they can talk to you about anything. It’s just a matter of opening that door for them.

2. Set a routine for them

Mental health experts have been encouraging parents to set a routine for their kids. In ensuring children are occupying their time meaningfully, it also creates opportunities for parents to bond with children over these routine tasks. For instance, some experts recommend introducing cooking or gardening to children. Seeing the fruits of their labour would definitely excite children and give them something to look forward to. And you can throw in a little bit of science too. Some examples include weekly watering schedule, composting, preparing their own creative sandwiches, stirring the pot, washing vegetables, or setting the table for meals.

3. Don’t forget about yourself

The pandemic kept parents on their toes with hardly any time to relax. Many parents are worried about the mental state of their children. But it’s important to recognise that some things are beyond our control. This is the first time in 100 years that the world experienced a pandemic. Experts suggest practicing kindness to ourselves and others at times like this; give yourself a little treat every once in a while. Something as simple as a little ‘me time’ goes a long way. Parents, remember in order to ensure the best care for our children and loved ones, we need to care for ourselves first.

Gardenia KL continues to stand in support of the nation as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting greater awareness for mental wellbeing within households, findings from the Gardenia  Wellness Begins at Home’ Survey were discussed over a live forum hosted on @GardeniaKL’s Facebook with celebrity mental health activist and Patron of MIASA, Che Puan Sarimah Ibrahim; mental health activist and MIASA President, Anita Abu Bakar; and Gardenia KL, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations General Manager, Hazlinah Harun.

If you missed it, don’t worry! You can still watch the discussion on Gardenia KL’s Facebook page: https://fb.watch/8Lrd_rysnb/