Family Time: Explaining COVID-19 to your kids
In an episode of Drew Arellano previous show, Family Time, parents were provided with information on how to deal with COVID-19 and its effects to their day-to-day lives.
The show also discussed how the pandemic disrupted the family dynamics at home.
Managing Director and Consultant of Better Steps Psychology Dr. Raffy Inocencio enumerated some of the problems encountered by family members amid this ongoing public health crisis.
He told Family Time, “The issues during the pandemic are very common, either 'di nakakatulog, maraming nag-aaway sa bahay, hindi nagkakaintindihan, mga bata na may behavioral problems.”
Dr. Inocencio added, “It doesn't matter kung bata, matanda, may asawa, single or whatever. We are all trying to deal with something na bago, walang may alam.
“Even all the experts don't have all the answers for us. Masyado marami 'yung tinatawag nating uncertainty na walang katiyakan lahat ng bagay.”
Drew also got the chance to talk to actress-vlogger LJ Reyes, wherein she shared how she and partner Paolo Contis explained to Aki what COVID-19 is and the changes brought about by this highly-contagious disease.
LJ recalled that instead of shielding Aki from all the news reports (good or bad) about COVID-19, they exposed him by letting him read several news articles.
She added they even asked him to write a reaction paper about it.
The Kapuso mom also said that she wanted to be the one to answer Aki's questions about anything and everything.
LJ said, “Marami siya nalaman, mayroon siyang mga tanong and I'm very happy na kami ang sumasagot nun at this moment.
“Alam mo 'yun as much as possible, if there is something that Aki should learn, especially sa season na ito ng ating buhay, I want it to come from us.”
For parents who are having a hard time explaining to their children the current situation we are in, Dr. Raffy Inocencio gave some tips on how to discuss such a sensitive topic like COVID-19.
He shared, “For all children naman medyo mas matatanda, siguro mga grade school noh, mas mayroon na silang isip.
“Mayroon na silang kakayahang makaintindi at the point you introduce it na, you know maraming may sakit sa labas and may virus na umiikot. Then you start to ask them: alam mo ba 'yung virus?'
“Tapos after you explain in the most basic way kung ano lang 'yung virus, nakakadulot siya ng sakit. Maraming may sakit, ayaw natin magkasakit. Then you start to ask them, mayroon ka bang tanong, ano 'yung mga inaalala mo?”
“And then you try to answer the question the best you can.”
Making it work under the new normal
Paolo Contis brings LJ Reyes to tears while watching 'Through Night and Day'