This National Emergency is an unprecedented Pandemic.\u00a0 All children and adolescents need to recognize that this is happening to everyone around the World.\u00a0Helping kids recover from disappointment has to be one of the harder jobs in\u00a0parenting.\u00a0 The good news is that overcoming disappointment can\u2014with your help\u2014be a significant learning opportunity for your child. Resilience is the rule with stress and disappointment.<\/p>\n
Empathize With Your Child<\/strong><\/p>\n Begin by acknowledging your child’s perception of what happened.\u00a0 Kids have been looking forward to returning to camp since the day they left last August.\u00a0 This is a big disappointment.<\/p>\n Many times, kids need some time to think before they can discuss their upset.\u00a0 Give them space.\u00a0 Let them know that you’ll be available when they are ready to talk.<\/p>\n When the time to talk arrives, your child will be able to see this situation more accurately and not be led by their feelings. Discuss what is most upsetting.<\/p>\n Dealing With Disappointed Kids When They Won’t Talk<\/strong><\/p>\n Depending on their personality, your child may show disappointment in different ways. They may be upset and angry, in which case you need to help them to find a way to channel that upset in a constructive way.<\/p>\n If your child retreats when upset or sad, look for ways to draw them out. You might say, “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but when you are ready, we can discuss this.\u201d<\/p>\n Resilience is the rule.\u00a0 Kids will learn that this represents an unprecedented period in history and that \u201cwe will all get through this together.\u201d<\/p>\n Tips for Parents<\/strong><\/p>\n Remain calm; be hopeful; remain connected; model optimism and follow the guidance for safety.\u00a0 We must all be guided by the science offered to us from the Center for Disease Control to minimize risk and protect everyone from the Coronavirus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Victor M. Fornari, MD, MS<\/strong><\/p>\n Vice Chair, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry<\/p>\n Director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry<\/p>\n Department of Psychiatry<\/p>\n The Zucker Hillside Hospital &<\/p>\n Cohen\u2019s Children\u2019s Medical Center<\/p>\n 75-59 263rd<\/sup>Street<\/p>\n Glen Oaks, New York 11004<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Professor Psychiatry & Pediatrics<\/p>\n Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine<\/p>\n At Hofstra\/Northwell<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Investigator, Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience<\/p>\n Feinstein Institute for Medical Research<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This National Emergency is an unprecedented Pandemic.\u00a0 All children and adolescents need to recognize that this is happening to everyone around the World.\u00a0Helping kids recover from disappointment has to be one of the harder jobs in\u00a0parenting.\u00a0 The good news is … Continue reading