“I just don’t understand, Mommy. One minute we were talking about coronavirus at lunch, and the next day, I found out I couldn’t go back to school anymore. I want to see my friends! I miss going out and doing things!” These heartfelt words came from my dear eight-year-old, who was visibly distressed as I tucked her into bed. I held her close as she sobbed, her small frame limp with despair. Eventually, she calmed down, and we sat in silence, embracing until she drifted off to sleep.
This wasn’t the first instance of such deep sorrow, and I fear it won’t be the last. While I often hear that children are incredibly resilient, I’ve clung to this idea during the early weeks of the pandemic. However, as the reality of our situation sinks in, it becomes increasingly difficult to believe they will emerge from this unscathed. Witnessing my once joyful daughter diminished to a state of hopelessness is a painful reminder of the academic, social, and emotional toll this crisis is taking on our kids.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that while my children are struggling, they are still better off than many. We have a home, food to eat, and the technology needed for online learning. Numerous children are in far more desperate situations—some only receive a single meal each day, lack access to necessary learning tools, or live with abusive guardians without help. Tragically, some are mourning the loss of loved ones due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, even for those of us who are relatively better off, the challenges remain daunting.
My children are quite different from one another, which allows me to see the varied impacts the pandemic has had on them. My nine-year-old son has severe ADHD, along with the academic, social, and emotional challenges that come with it. My daughter, on the other hand, is typically developing both academically and socially.
The educational ramifications for children with special needs are stark. My son requires specific conditions to thrive, outlined in a 504 plan. Unfortunately, the support he needs is not being provided through distance learning. Typical learning environments and trained educators are essential for children like him, and attempting to replicate this at home is a daunting task for parents. Despite our best efforts, his goals in academics, social skills, and therapies are not being met. Children with unique needs flourish in stable and consistent settings, and remote learning lacks this essential structure.
However, it’s not just kids with special needs who are feeling the strain. My daughter, while intelligent and passionate about reading and math, struggles with self-motivation. The excitement of classroom dynamics, group activities, and teacher interactions is what fuels her love for learning. Learning through a screen has proven to be a challenge. She often goes through the motions, and while she may grasp the basic curriculum to advance to the next grade, her enthusiasm for the learning process is waning week by week.
Both children are experiencing social deficits as well. The elementary school years are crucial for cultivating interpersonal skills. While they mastered the basics of sharing and turn-taking in preschool, developing and maintaining friendships in the later years requires practice. With social interactions limited to online platforms, I’ve seen one of my children withdraw, showing little interest in digital communication, while the other often misreads social cues in text messages. FaceTime and other virtual interactions simply cannot replace in-person connections, leaving our children feeling profoundly lonely.
The emotional fallout is evident in our home. My vibrant daughter, once filled with joy, is now losing her spark. She wakes up without the same enthusiasm, going through her days in a somewhat mechanical manner. No longer surrounded by friends and activities, she frequently calls me during my workday, expressing how much she misses me and asking when I’ll be home. My son, too, has been impacted; he recently cried when my partner went out for groceries at night, convinced that the dark would increase the risk of contracting the virus. They both struggle to understand why they are still at home and when things will return to normal, creating a palpable anxiety within them.
So, no, my kids are not okay. All I can do is hold them close, offer hugs more often, and try to answer their questions and soothe their fears. I can only hope that when this is all over, the scars left behind will be minimal. For more insights on parenting during these times, check out our other piece here. Additionally, for authoritative information, visit intracervicalinsemination.com and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which are excellent resources for understanding the implications of these experiences.
Summary:
As the ongoing pandemic takes a toll on children’s emotional, social, and academic well-being, it’s evident that many are struggling. While some children are better off than others, the effects of isolation and distance learning are profound. Parents must provide support and reassurance during these challenging times, hoping for minimal long-term impact.