COVID-19: How to handle lockdown

It is no longer news that everybody has been asked to stay at home in the effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease, otherwise called COVID-19 pandemic, that is ravaging the entire world. Before the two-week lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on two states – Lagos and Ogun – and the FCT […]

It is no longer news that everybody has been asked to stay at home in the effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease, otherwise called COVID-19 pandemic, that is ravaging the entire world.

Before the two-week lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on two states – Lagos and Ogun – and the FCT as a result of high cases they have recorded, schools had already been shut down and pupils and students across the nation sent home as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Interestingly, only a couple of days into the lockdown, many parents are already lamenting and praising teachers for what they have been enduring. The consumption of food and other consumables at home has increased as children eat as much as they play.

The presence of parents and children at home at the same time where some parents are working from home has increased the amount of yelling to stop one act or the other by children and piling stress on the parents while many children feel bored and are becoming hyperactive for their parents to bear.

A mother of two, Mrs Grace Danjuma, said the stress of having the children with her at home while she still needs to work is becoming unbearable. She said before the compulsory sit-at-home, when they took the children to school in the morning on their way to work, they only met again at home around 7pm, depending on how early she closed from work.

“When we drop them at school and go to work, after closing they stayed back for after-school lesson and close at 4.30pm then my sister who stays with me picked them. My closing time is 5.30 and I get home between 6pm and 7pm. During the holidays, they also attend lesson, thereby reducing the stress,” she said.

For Mr and Mrs Adesanya, it has been one question after another as their children keep asking when the coronavirus disease will end so that they can return to school. Although they have been engaging the children in different indoor activities, they are often bored and just want to return to the classroom, she said.

On how to help both children and parents to cope with the prevailing situation, a parenting coach and author, Smart Parenting, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogunkanmi, stated that having children at home without being emotionally, mentally and physically prepared can be stressful, even disastrous.

She said, however, that when you are equipped with the right tools and information, it can be fun, fulfilling and rewarding, adding that due to the expediency and urgency to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people were not emotionally and mentally prepared for the lockdown even if they have the house fully stocked with food and other essentials.

“The children are not used to staying indoors 24/7 for a long period. This might cause a bit of irritation and frustration for them and even you the parents, your daily routine and schedules have been disrupted, anxiety, mild depression or extreme frustration might also set in if emotions are not properly checked.”

Mrs Ogunkanmi gave the following tips on surviving the lockdown

Family meeting:  First thing first, you need to have a family meeting with your children where you will need to have a detailed discussion with them about what is happening and what is expected of each family member. Encourage each child to discuss his fears, worries and expectations.

As an individual you also need to assess your own emotions, how exactly do you feel about the lockdown.

Connection and bonding: While at home with your children during this lockdown, ensure you engage and connect with each one of them. Use this period to spend quality time with them and to build on your relationship. Look for activities you all can do as a family to make this period fun.

Creating a new structure: Like I stated in the introduction, your daily routine and structure will be disrupted so, you now need to create a new daily routine and schedule to make life easier. The best thing to do is to come up with a routine and a daily schedule, this will give everyone a sense of purpose and also let them know what to expect per time.

Food and nutrition: The children will be eating a lot during this period and you need to have a meal plan to guide what they eat. Due to the reason of this lockdown, you need to boost everyone’s immunity, therefore ensure you give nutritious meals and snacks that can boost their immunity; meals rich in vitamin C like fruits and vegetables

Physical exercise: Exercise is very important during this period because you need to keep moving and not be sedentary. Plan a time for either individual or group exercise. Make the exercise session fun for each member.

Study/homeschooling: Some schools have not concluded their curriculum for this term and might resort to online teaching for your children for the next few weeks. So, you have to start homeschooling your children during this period which might be something new and strange to both you and your child.

Discipline: Being locked in the house together for 24 hours daily over the next few weeks will bring up some emotions; children misbehaving, tempers flying, sibling squabbles etc. Child misbehaviour in this period might have nothing to do with you, he/she just might be irritated and frustrated for being in the house and not able to go to school, the park or visit friends.

Prayers:  This is the most important of all the tips given. Having hope in God takes away all forms of anxiety and worry during such periods. Ensure you pray, have devotions with your children. Do not panic but put your trust in God.