Post-pandemic
Post-pandemic
An interview with David Côté-Dion, President of the Canadian Association of psychoeducators
As we know, the last two and a half years of the COVID pandemic—and in particular the lockdown that accompanied it—have left deep marks on our young people. Parents too. And now we find ourselves at a crossroads, as a semblance of normality settles back in. How can parents help their children get back to a normal life?
First of all, we shouldn’t assume that the pandemic only had negative effects on young people, says David Côté-Dion, President of the Canadian Association of Psychoeducators. During this break, young people have discovered new passions or rediscovered old ones.
David Côté-Dion goes on to recount several examples, among them the story of an 11-year-old boy who had always dreamt of rummaging through the fascinating pile of tools kept in the garage. During the pandemic, he finally succeeded in creating some beautiful birdhouses.
Why give this example in particular when many might consider it commonplace?
Because it is far from commonplace, explains David Côté-Dion. Hands-on activities have helped children work on patience and develop skills. Other young people have surprised themselves by developing, for example, skills related to repairing computer equipment, such as tablets or controllers that had broken during the lockdown.
This period of time will therefore allow teens to demonstrate their imagination and resilience and lead them to develop new skills.
The flip side
However, not all teens have experienced such a positive adjustment. For many young people, the pandemic will have been a more challenging period, with heavier consequences.
First, we saw young people who became extremely dependent on technology, explains the expert.
And those long hours lounging in front of a computer may have gotten in the way of human contact. Before, if two young people had an argument, they often settled it among themselves. Today, we see that several young people seem to have simply lost interest in each other in favour of technology.
“It’s a new phenomenon of completely neglecting friends in favour of going on a computer. We didn’t see this before the pandemic.” ⸺ David Côté-Dion
Setting limits and rules on screen time can be difficult for parents, but establishing a stable environment for your child is essential for maintaining balance.
Teen body image put to the test
By spending so much time on screens and social media, young people are considerably more exposed to stereotypical models of beauty. The pandemic has greatly increased anxiety related to dissatisfaction with one’s body. The sedentary lifestyle imposed by months of lockdown also may have led to weight gain, with the result being that for 28% of young people, losing weight is now a major concern.
As a parent, you can help your child improve their body image by talking about a healthy relationship with their body, food and fun physical activities, without talking about weight specifically.
HELPING YOUR CHILD DEVELOP A HEALTHY BODY IMAGE
INCREASE IN SCHOOL DROPOUTS
The impact of the pandemic on academic motivation has become a concern for some families. School dropout rates are up 30%. It must be said that the current labour shortage and high salaries have also made employment a more attractive alternative to education. Parents know very well though that this won’t last forever. But for a young person who has just gotten their first job at $25 an hour, it’s paradise!
FOR ME, SCHOOL IS OVER. ⸺ Pablo, age 16.
How can you encourage scholastic perseverance so your child stays in the classroom?
One thing you can try is helping your child foster a sense of belonging to a sport or activity. Or even finding THE person who can take your child under their wing. For instance, a teacher that your child really likes and whom you can ask to spend a few seconds each day just asking how your child’s doing. Or a coach who he can bounce the tennis ball you put in his bag with a few times.
ANXIETY ON THE RISE IN YOUNG PEOPLE
Since the pandemic, one out of every two young people exhibits symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to a study by the University of Sherbrooke. As a parent, you have the ability to positively impact your teen’s mental health and to help them through this hard time more serenely.
First of all, don’t minimize what they’re going through, because they have truly lost their usual points of reference during this period of isolation.
Secondly, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of stress and to know how to recognize symptoms of anxiety.
I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL… ⸺ Pablo, age 13
Here are some symptoms that may be a manifestation of anxiety:
- ⚠ Fear, worry, irritability
- 😴 Changes in sleep behaviour: insomnia, nightmares
- 🍽 Changes in diet (eating more or less)
- 🤒 Physical ailments
- 🤔 Changes in behaviour: demanding attention, hyperactivity, isolation, avoiding, etc.
- 💥 Irrational thoughts, catastrophic scenarios
Anxiety can take many forms, but the pandemic has notably increased performance anxiety in young people. Our youth are less ready to move forward with projects or opportunities.
Parents have tried to protect their children during the pandemic. That’s normal! But they also passed down certain fears. This negative feeling could be changed by promoting optimistic opportunities for exploration. Nowadays, many children don’t go to the park by themselves or go to the corner store for sweets alone. Yet, these are opportunities for exploration.
However, exploration should not be like video games, which give nothing but an illusion of attaining goals.
Ways to practise exploration can be very simple; a young child simply trying to help make a cake, despite the risk of spilling the milk. You should tailor the challenge to a child’s age; a teen, for instance, might prefer to explore the depths of a cave with a spelunking club. Or they might even dare to go audition for a band.
The idea is to encourage young people to explore and take the initiative to overcome certain fears, all while maintaining realistic expectations based on their personality, needs, strengths and weaknesses.
When we make our children experience discomfort, we are not bad parents, but rather parents who help their children grow. ⸺ David Côté-Dion
In short, try to concoct a clever mix of coaching and challenges to motivate your child and help them learn to develop a passion and joy for life.
But don’t forget, no true passion can be fully realized…without some slight thrills!
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