The pandemic has drastically altered relationships between people, especially between parents and their children. Parents are facing an increasing issue of communication between them and preteens as they struggle to find a middle ground.  Still dependent on parents, controlled gadget behaviour and isolation from school and friends have majorly exposed preteens to stress and struggle with their unexplained emotions. Parents also struggle to understand their preteen’s issues. Here are simple steps to comfort your child.

Understand calmly

The key to understanding your preteen is to listen, comfort and reassure them that everything will be alright. During such anxious moments, it is the responsibility of the parents to reassure that difficult times are often greeted with a ray of sunshine next. So the distress they are feeling now, will soon go away as they learn to adapt rapidly.

Massive breaks in routine

Children have been following a schedule ever since they started schooling. Experiencing a sudden, long break in their usual routine can thoroughly confuse the child. As a result, they will end up gaining weight by late midnight snacking or have sleep deprivation by binge-watching cartoons and shows. Build a proper schedule once again and make them follow it.

Praise them

Instead of constantly scolding or correcting their mistakes, try praising them once a while. Constant criticism weighs heavily on children, especially during this gloomy time. Make sure to be flexible while you are with your child. Instead of being in a strict environment always, allow an extra scoop of ice cream or an extra half an hour of TV if the child wants it.

Be with them

This is the ideal time to have some quality family togetherness. Spend time with your child, play board games, watch TV with them or even bake one or two cakes. Share a joke, laugh together and hug them; all this will help preteens stay happy.