Kids talk COVID-19

COVID-19 has permeated the collective psyche. And although kids may not be watching The National or spending their coveted screen time on the Health Canada webpage, COVID-19 is on their minds. I asked several parents to ask their kids—aged 5 to 13—about the new reality. Below are some of their responses, verbatim. 

What is hardest about the way we live since COVID-19?

• Not seeing friends as much. (Most kids listed some version of this.)
• Getting antsy.
• Libraries are closed.
• Not being able to hug Grandpa. 
• So many people have died. (A few kids mentioned this.) 
• Not being able to celebrate stuff, like my birthday.
• Being stuck with my brother and sister.
• It’s hard to do school when there is the distraction of having a younger sibling at home.
• Using screens all the time for school. 
• Not being able to see our grandpa and grandma in Oregon.
• Having to be with my siblings all the time. 

What is best?

• More time to connect with family.
• Chance to slow down.
• Weekends are not as busy.
• Opportunity to do things in a different new way, even though I liked the way things were before. 
• There’s no good parts. 
• Not rushing.
• More time to draw.
• Fun stuff like having a treasure hunt and playing computer games.
• I get to be home schooled again.
• More free time. 
• That there isn’t seven hours of school, and I get to do more screen time.
• Not having to answer questions in front of the classroom.
• Playing games online with other families.
• Less tears shed at school.
• More home time.
• My dad is working upstairs, so we get to see him more.
• We don’t have to wake up so early.
• No school.
• It’s good for climate change.
• I can read lots.
• Feels like a cold summer holiday.
• More kitty time.

What advice do you have for other kids?

• Even if things get really bad, you can try to find at least one thing that’s good.
• Be lazy ’cause you can.
• Play outside more.
• Just deal with it.
• Self isolate; don’t touch your face.
• Do a video chat to see your friends. 
• You can have a birthday party by having friends drive by your house and they can leave gifts on the driveway, [and] you can leave gift bags for those that drive by.
• Don’t be mean to your parents.
• Learn something new; we have lots of time for that. I’ve learned to hula hoop while walking and how to do a cartwheel.
• Go outside and play once you’re done your chores. 
• Get your parents to come to the park and run around with you.
• If you are not used to homeschooling, take lots of breaks, especially outdoors, and ask for chocolate.
• It’s going to be over.
• Play a game with a family member.
• Eat candy.

What advice do you have for parents?

• Don’t freak out. . . . Don’t let the worries get to you; it’s not as bad as it seems. 
• Do something interesting with your kids. 
• Connect with your family in a way you wouldn’t have before.
• Calm down; adults are too scared about coronavirus.
• Make more crepes. 
• Unlimited screen time.
• Don’t go waste your money on toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
• Let your kids be free and let them play Legends of Zelda.
• Respect the rules and stay home, because people are getting hurt.
• Make sure your children do their school work; they can be easily distracted when there are younger siblings at home.
• Go to the park with your kids and play soccer.
• Keep yourself safe, keep your kids safe and keep the earth safe.
• Read the Narnia series to your family.
• Let your kids go wherever the heck they want.
• Let your kids sleep in or else they’ll be grumpy. 
• Help your kids do math. 
• Bake for your kids. 
• Don’t let the kids stay up too late. 
• Watch movies every weekend. 

Related stories:
A new kind of ‘whiteout party’
Chaplain-turned-pianist brightens personal-care home
COVID-19 impact on world hunger cause for high concern