My 8 yr old is suddenly scared all the time

[Bellasunshine]

Hi,

My 8 yr old daughter is all of a sudden scared all the time and gets easily upset, she starts crying but doesn't know why she crying.

She has been home from school with me for the last 6 weeks as i lost my job due to the covid 19 and a week ago I started back at work 3 days a week so she goes to school for 2 days. School is obviously very different from before covid 19 I have to drop her off and pick her up from front of school, I'm not allowed to walk her to class she is in a different classroom with different teachers and different kids.

Over the last couple of days she has been more tired, very emotional, she won't go to bed by herself and then she just cries. When I ask why she is upset she says she doesn't know why and that's she scared but she doesn't know what she's scared about. She has started hoping into bed with my husband and me in the middle of the night which she has never done.

I'm not really sure what to do.

From worried mum

[Sophie_M]

Hi Bellasunshine,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums, we're so glad you decided to join our online community. We're so sorry to hear how your daughter is feeling at the moment. We empathise with how worried and unsure you might be feeling. Please know that our community is here to support you and we will get through this.  If you feel it might be useful, we'd encourage you to visit our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. 

You might also find the following Beyond Blue resource useful: "From toddlers to teens: How to talk about the coronavirus" - https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/i-am-supporting-others/children-and-young-people/from-toddlers... This page also has tips of alleviating fear in children and dealing with anxiety as a parent.

We hope this is helpful, feel free to keep us updated here whenever you feel up to it.

[geoff]

Hello Belasunshine, thanks for posting your comment.

Thi must be troubling you, especially when she hops into bed with you and your husband as it's a concern when this happens.

She is able to talk to Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 as these people are trained but they dress in casual clothes, which is helpful for a young child.

If you can google this 'good books for young children to read about COVID-19', some of these maybe able to help her to settle any fears she may have, as it's a period of time that involves all of us.

Unfortunately, this affects all ages and feel very sorry, especially the young ones.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.