Our children’s welfare post pandemic

My husband and I relocated from New York to Illinois in September of 2018 with our three children. Our oldest was eight and our twins were two and a half years old. Most Chicago suburbs are known for their charming neighborhoods. The Burr Ridge town was particularly inviting; beautiful homes, thriving businesses, array of restaurants, shopping, good school systems and friendly neighbors. We could not wait to start our new chapter in this pleasing suburb of Chicago.

Six months later, we settled into our new jobs and our new home. Suddenly our lives shifted from our routine to a complete isolation mode called “lockdown,” – a pandemic! “This cannot be true! even if it was, we will be fine, ” was our hope!

Denial, reassurance, doubt-“a virus” vs “a hoax”, was rattling through our minds. Our oldest son’s ninth birthday party was cancelled. Complete confusion set in our children’s lives. Children from preschool to High School faced a challenge that was not experienced in hundred years.

What we hoped would pass turned into a two-year old calamity of uncertainties as we witnessed humanity being wiped out by a microbe. Some of us physician parent household, had no way to help meet our children’s social needs despite our expertise. We all had a job to do and our families to care for, we attempted as a community to support each other.

Despite the challenges and political chaos globally, as adults we had some control of our lives. Despite opinions and disagreements some of our social needs were met in some shaper form or the other. However, our children – the most vulnerable population did not have much control. Children thrive on social interactions; play dates, sports etc. Proms, graduations and date nights were replaced with chrome books, video games, drive through birthday wishes and face time. These were considerable alternatives to survive, rather than risking more deaths across our nation. Saturated emergency rooms, deficit in medical supplies and health care workers was nothing short of a nightmare.

My children adapted. However, not many were fortunate to sustain such isolation. Many such children suffered profound adjustment issues that had a significant impact on their psychological, social and academic growth. Despite this, we had to remind ourselves that we were still amid a pandemic. My vibrant town turned into a ghost town. Empty stores and restaurants replaced with online shopping and take outs.

Three years, several vaccinations and boosters later, we were attempting to resume our routine. It felt strange again. Are we safe? Anxiety, anticipation and awkward social situations were something to surpass. My little preschoolers began kindergarten and my oldest began middle school. The schools that we rely on for social growth had to re-adapt to a whole new system.

My kindergarteners did not have snack time, a plan that was implemented during covid, but continued after the pandemic. It was shocking to know that there were no birthday celebrations in classes. Children thrive on social interactions during snack time. A relaxed free play enables children to return to class with more attention span, feeling content and eager to learn. Many children display anger and anxiety when hungry. From my personal interaction with the school, I learned that the focus was to optimize transition time for teachers vs teaching children time management.

Children love celebrating birthdays. A fifteen-minute child focused birthday celebration is less likely to compromise a lifetime of academics. A childhood with enriching memories is more favorable to a child’s growth as they transition to adulthood.

However, I’m fully aware that the school districts had their own struggles with adjustment. Besides the pressure to keep our children safe, schools across the nation faced staffing issues with a massive shortage of social workers and psychologists, which in turn caused immense pressure on teachers.

An article published in Illinois Times, “The impact of Covid-19 in Illinois,” by Cinda Ackerman Klickna, referencing “the state we are in 2022,” indicated the following.

"Counselors, social workers and psychologists are in short supply." That was true even before the pandemic, but with an increase in students' social-emotional issues, the lack of staff has become more obvious. Recommended ratios compared to current averages show the picture. Recommended ratio of students to counselors should be 450:1 in grades K-5, and 250:1 in grades 6-12. But the statewide average is 569:1. Social worker ratios – recommended at 250:1, currently sits at 552:1. And psychologists should be at 1000:1 but is holding at 1191:1,” which in turn affected the teachers, who were “stretched too thin.”

Per this report, Dr. Becca Lamon, superintendent of Ball-Chatham School District notes that the younger children were most impacted. Per her report.

"Some children came to kindergarten for the first time this fall, and the parents said they hadn't been out of the home for three years. These children don't know how to interact. This is going to create a 13-year impact, not just in their first year of schooling."

In summary, as a citizen I understand the impact of covid-19 on our economic growth. As a parent, I understand the struggles and social need for my children and as a Psychiatrist I have learned and observed that this pandemic had a significant impact on our social, emotional, and financial stability. This pandemic left us with difficulty in readapting to our social norm.

Children specifically struggled to express their emotions. In many ways a normal adjustment behavior in children can mimic a mood or a behavioral disorder. However, not every behavioral change is a disorder. With the appropriate support and understanding from parents, schools and the entire village, children can re-adapt and return to baseline.

It is my hope that we can come together as a community and help each other, and our system re-adapt to our new life following covid-19.