We know seven kids.
The biggest challenge their parents face during this COVID lockdown is the screen. It’s tough enough to have kids home all day and keep them totally occupied. Inevitably, the kids turn to screens. After all, what’s a kid to do?
Still, their parents are trying hard to combat screens despite the COVID shutdown blues.
The biggest challenge their parents face during this COVID lockdown is the screen. It’s tough enough to have kids home all day and keep them totally occupied. Inevitably, the kids turn to screens. After all, what’s a kid to do?
Still, their parents are trying hard to combat screens despite the COVID shutdown blues.
Paper folding and bike riding
One young lady is into origami big-time. She has folded many sizes of paper boxes and has become an expert. She became fascinated with the story of the girl who folded 1000 Cranes. To date she has folded 70 cranes, a turtle, a dragon, and a parrot. She says she is determined to reach her goal of 1000 cranes.
Her brother---he who loves his screen games and is a computer whiz---is painfully pulled away to go bike riding with his father.
Still, both use screens to connect with friends.
One young lady is into origami big-time. She has folded many sizes of paper boxes and has become an expert. She became fascinated with the story of the girl who folded 1000 Cranes. To date she has folded 70 cranes, a turtle, a dragon, and a parrot. She says she is determined to reach her goal of 1000 cranes.
Her brother---he who loves his screen games and is a computer whiz---is painfully pulled away to go bike riding with his father.
Still, both use screens to connect with friends.
A sports enthusiast
Another sociable kid, a teen who loves to participate in team sports, is also a screen addict. Much to the frustration of his parents. He’s into guitar playing, too, but who can play the guitar all day---or all night---long?
Seems with the lifting of some restrictions he can now practice soccer (although no playing league games). There’s even a summer ski training ‘camp’ using roller skis to hone his cross-country winter skiing skills. All with social distancing, of course.
But he uses that screen to connect with friends.
Another sociable kid, a teen who loves to participate in team sports, is also a screen addict. Much to the frustration of his parents. He’s into guitar playing, too, but who can play the guitar all day---or all night---long?
Seems with the lifting of some restrictions he can now practice soccer (although no playing league games). There’s even a summer ski training ‘camp’ using roller skis to hone his cross-country winter skiing skills. All with social distancing, of course.
But he uses that screen to connect with friends.
Country Living
His preteen bro, artistically talented, draws creative cartoons with zest. He writes accompanying stories ripe with imagination. He also plays the fiddle. But not all day, every day of course. He loves to share riddles.
Their younger sister keeps up to her bros by drawing and making murals using stickers. She also plays the fiddle. But not all day, every day of course.
These three also have the luxury of tending a large garden. If they feel like it. They also watched adorable, fluffy chicks grow up and move into a first-class handcrafted chicken coop. Alas, the growing hens and roosters are less cuddly now.
Of course, each uses a screen to connect with friends.
His preteen bro, artistically talented, draws creative cartoons with zest. He writes accompanying stories ripe with imagination. He also plays the fiddle. But not all day, every day of course. He loves to share riddles.
Their younger sister keeps up to her bros by drawing and making murals using stickers. She also plays the fiddle. But not all day, every day of course.
These three also have the luxury of tending a large garden. If they feel like it. They also watched adorable, fluffy chicks grow up and move into a first-class handcrafted chicken coop. Alas, the growing hens and roosters are less cuddly now.
Of course, each uses a screen to connect with friends.
Puppy Tales and more
Yet another young lady we know is also an artist. She loves to draw and with the COVID shutdown her bedroom has mushroomed into an art gallery showcasing her vibrant work.
Her older sister became hooked on an online (screen!) environmental course originating from the Maldives. The subject was marine biology that just happens to be her first love.
Both girls also practice dance moves to share videos with their friends via TikTok .
And then they welcomed a puppy into their home. Puppy love at first sight.
Naturally, when they’re not with puppy, they use a screen to connect with friends.
Yet another young lady we know is also an artist. She loves to draw and with the COVID shutdown her bedroom has mushroomed into an art gallery showcasing her vibrant work.
Her older sister became hooked on an online (screen!) environmental course originating from the Maldives. The subject was marine biology that just happens to be her first love.
Both girls also practice dance moves to share videos with their friends via TikTok .
And then they welcomed a puppy into their home. Puppy love at first sight.
Naturally, when they’re not with puppy, they use a screen to connect with friends.
Not all as it seems…
Despite their chosen---and seemingly absorbing---activities, these kids are not immune to the hazards of living in today’s climate of fear.
Nor are most kids. It’s traumatic being cut off from your friends, school social life, and having your young life turned upside down. Even their final school year days were virtual...via a screen. Every day now there is disturbing news of deaths and an easy spreading of the virus. In a young, fertile mind, does that mean you, your parents, your family?
Anxiety and worry are rearing their ugly heads among these vulnerable youth.
Despite their chosen---and seemingly absorbing---activities, these kids are not immune to the hazards of living in today’s climate of fear.
Nor are most kids. It’s traumatic being cut off from your friends, school social life, and having your young life turned upside down. Even their final school year days were virtual...via a screen. Every day now there is disturbing news of deaths and an easy spreading of the virus. In a young, fertile mind, does that mean you, your parents, your family?
Anxiety and worry are rearing their ugly heads among these vulnerable youth.
Solutions
By now you’ve guessed these seven kids are our beloved grandchildren. They represent a very small sample of what their generation is suffering right now.
The worst part is this continuous vicious cycle. The only solution is to continue to isolate as they are. So sometimes they lose their cool. I know I do.
As of this writing, there appears to be a glimmer of hope here in Canada as portions of the forbidden become cautiously open again.
For the sake of young people everywhere, many already suffering adverse emotional reactions, let’s hope this pandemic disappears sooner than later.
Then maybe the screens, with us forever now, will seem less important than actually playing outside with friends.
And the silence of the street will end.
By now you’ve guessed these seven kids are our beloved grandchildren. They represent a very small sample of what their generation is suffering right now.
The worst part is this continuous vicious cycle. The only solution is to continue to isolate as they are. So sometimes they lose their cool. I know I do.
As of this writing, there appears to be a glimmer of hope here in Canada as portions of the forbidden become cautiously open again.
For the sake of young people everywhere, many already suffering adverse emotional reactions, let’s hope this pandemic disappears sooner than later.
Then maybe the screens, with us forever now, will seem less important than actually playing outside with friends.
And the silence of the street will end.
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