Life went on normally until late 2019 when coronavirus happened. Imagine your child in
10, 20, 30, or 40 years to come, what will he say about 2020?
This year’s (2020) events have been challenging, disrupting, disturbing, and shocking.
This has been a very decisive and frightening year. Families continue to struggle, with
some breadwinners having to face the embarrassment of failing to put something on the
table for their families.
Children have been forced to live a life they were never used to. They feel frightened
and wonder why they can no longer go to school, play with other children, or have the
family outings they used to enjoy at the beaches. Some have lost their parents, while
others have lost their siblings, yet others have lost parents, siblings, and even friends.
Some children can talk about their fears and worries, while others choose to keep quiet.
Whatever the case, what they observe and feel soon manifests itself in their lives as
emotional or behavioral changes. Some kids who used to be extroverts have now
become introverts. Some have collapsed under the intense pressure caused by COVID-
19.
The year has also witnessed changes, innovations, unprecedented decisions, resiliency,
and above all, hopes. New businesses have sprung up, while others have devised new
ways to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people who used to work in offices
are now working from home, while those who lost their jobs have established online
businesses.
What will the children remember?
We still go back to the question of how today’s children report about this year (2020).
Will they look back at it with fond memories or painful memories? What significant
things will come into their minds when they’ll look back at 2020?
Some will remember vividly the fears they faced and how their parents struggled. They
will never forget the friends and siblings who passed on. They’ll remember the months
they had to stay under lockdowns, and the school days they lost.
Jake, an 8-year-old kid, says what he’ll never forget is how his parents went through a
tumultuous divorce which forced them to fight over his custody. He’ll remember the lies
associated with the divorce. He’ll also remember how he took nine months without
seeing his sister, who was away in a different state.
Steven began a hormonal transition in January 2020, and because of the COVID-19
outbreak, everything took an ugly turn. He could only meet his doctor online (no face-to-
face meetings). He explains that his transition to being a female during this pandemic
had many challenges he’ll never forget.
Alison, a 9-year-old kid, actually contracted the virus. Fortunately, she survived but had
to undergo a 6-month therapy. This is something she’ll never forget.
We can go on and on, but as you can see, each child has a unique story. There’s
something that touched their lives during this pandemic that they can never forget.
What will your child say about 2020? Maybe it’s time you find out. Ask your child about
his fears and worries during this pandemic, specifically something they have experienced
that they feel they’ll never forget.
Raquel Soteldo RP(Q), MA, ABA, PMP, CCC
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