I Wish

The Hairbrush

I wish my family was different. I wish we didn’t fit right in with the global norms. But we do.

 

We have five school age grandchildren. I wish I could somehow magically protect them from the impact kids around the world are feeling as the pandemic continues to dramatically disrupt their lives. 

 

You know how it’s been. Kids have been more isolated from their peers. They’ve missed time-honored traditions for celebrating life’s milestones, graduations, proms, holidays, bar mitzvahs, quinceaneras, sweet sixteen, and all the other birthdays and reasons to celebrate their progress along their journey towards adulthood. They’ve had new worries about their family’s finances, their own health and the health of others they care about. Many have watched people close to them struggle with illness and even death.

 

A meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics combined the results of 29 studies across the globe involving almost 81,000 youths. 

 

What did they find? 

 

The prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in our youth has DOUBLED compared to pre-pandemic estimates. 

 

Not only that, but as the number of months continues to increase, so does the prevalence of symptoms. 

 

Our grandkids?

 

Yes, their lives have been disrupted.

Yes, they’ve been more isolated.

Yes, they’ve missed many traditional celebrations.

Yes, they’ve seen family finances change.

Yes, they’ve watched family and friends get sick, even die. 

Yes, they’re experiencing more symptoms of anxiety and depression than before.

Yes, they’re struggling, each in their own way, to navigate these challenging times. 

 

What can we do? 

 

First and foremost, be a safe harbor where kids know they will be heard and supported. Be the person the kids you love can talk to, can tell you how they feel, what they are thinking, knowing that they will not be judged.

 

Here’s to more resilient wins at home and school,

 

Anne


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