Anxiety causes regression among certain children and makes them behave in a manner that is more suited to younger ages. A young boy may exhibit appetite loss or shut himself in. An older girl may be tense or vulnerable. Anxiety may also present itself through confrontational behavior or incidents of bedwetting.

Our children's sense of safety relies significantly on us. Our role is to mediate the harsh circumstances for the children. To do so, we must take care of ourselves. A parent who is more composed will also be more inclusive.

What can we do?

• It is recommended to adhere to a daily routine as closely as possible, including activities such as dressing, brushing teeth, eating, playing, and resting.
• It is preferable to minimize young children’s exposure to screens. It is hard for them to understand the situation, and it may lead to heightened anxiety.
• If routine and soothing measures are not helping, do not hesitate to contact helplines. Good people are waiting for you there. You can contact the HMOs’ hotlines, as well as organizations such as Eran or Natal, with helplines in several languages.
• If one of the parents manages to be calmer, it is advisable to let them conduct the dialogue with the children.

This link provides examples of how children may react to stressful situations and offers recommendations for short-term parental responses.