Your children need to hear that ‘one day this will be over and we will continue with our lives’. It will give them a sense of safety. Their losses are significant. If the key stages in life (like school transitions) don’t take place as expected, it’s hard. Don’t pretend they don’t matter – they do.

𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀. Avoid saying ‘at least you can message your friends’ or ‘at least you can go next year’ – the ‘at least’ doesn’t show empathy. Let your children feel sorry for themselves, or feel angry.

Agree that this is all extremely unfair on them, don’t get them to look on the bright side.

Hope this helps! Ian.