Coronavirus: Parents struggling to keep children indoors

Like the rest of the world, Kenya ordered all schools closed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The shutdown of schools came with another burden to parents as they now have to struggle to keep their children safe from the virus, while ensuring learning goes on at home.

Most parents have taken to social media to air their frustrations following the abrupt closure of school which in effect suspended learning for their children.

As you take a stroll around various residential areas, scenes of children running up and down the streets will be replicated in most estates. Many parents are finding it hard to confine their children to the house with some even admitting that they are overwhelmed by their presence.

Take for example an area like Pipeline in Embakasi. During a visit, I was shocked to find children as young as two playing by the roadside. Other older children think it is school holidays.

Eglah Miruka, a mother of two and a hairdresser, says it has been hard for her to contain her kids in the house as they are still young and oblivious of the danger of the disease.

“I give them assignments to work on in the morning and afternoon, but since I am not around to supervise their work, they sneak out to play.’’

She admits to failure on her part in educating her children about coronavirus and the need for strict hygiene as she had hoped it was going to be easier to contain them.

For Dan Maitha a resident of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, he decided to take his children upcountry as it is easy to contain them from there.

“Our house in Nairobi is small, and I have many children. It’s impossible to ask all of them to stay indoors, considering how hot these iron sheet houses get.”

Child psychologist Ken Aringo has asked parents to engage their children during this period.

“Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events.

“If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. Parents should reassure children that health officials are working hard to ensure people throughout the country stay healthy,” he said, adding that parents can use this time with kids to keep the mental and physical aspect of their kids engaged.