For many of us, it feels like the warm days of summer are also ushering in a chance to return to a long-awaited sense of normalcy as vaccination rates increase and the world is re-opening.

However, as with all major life changes, it is also completely normal to feel mixed emotions about the process of re-entry after more than a year following COVID-19 safety restrictions, and it is important to honor these emotions in ourselves and each other. Feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and sadness may continue to exist alongside a newfound sense of hopefulness. Many children as well as adults may struggle to reconcile the idea that it is now safe to resume activities that they were advised to avoid for safety reasons over the past year. Kids who are too young to be vaccinated may feel especially heightened anxiety around health and safety during the re-opening process. This all makes sense: our brains are so good at protecting us from danger, and did so well adjusting to the guidelines that we needed to follow to help us stay safe, that it will take some time for hypervigilance to subside and make way for a feeling of safety. 

On the other end of the spectrum, for many of us, COVID-19 restrictions also meant slowing down from our usually hectic schedules and taking things a bit easier than usual. For the more introverted among us, the reentry back into “normal” life may be particularly overwhelming, as calendars fill up and social expectations increase. Kids who struggle with transitions might experience extra challenges as they are expected almost overnight to resume extracurricular activities while also navigating the end of a very unusual school year. Kids who are overwhelmed by social interactions will also need support as they resume situations that they have been largely able to avoid for the past year.

As with everything COVID-19 related, there is no clear roadmap for navigating these challenges, and every family will have different levels of comfort and anxiety around re-entry depending on their own unique circumstances. But there are some things that parents can do to ease the burden:

• Practice patience – It is important to remember that we have all experienced a collective trauma, and trauma symptoms such as fear and anxiety are likely to linger for some time, no matter how much we may hope for a quick transition back to “normal.” For families who have experienced loss due to COVID-19, this is even more true. Being gentle with ourselves and our kids during this process is imperative. It is OK if your child or family is moving at a different pace than other families during re-entry.
• Remember what you have learned – If there are new routines and traditions that seemed to “work” for your family during COVID-19, it is a great idea to try to continue to incorporate them even after life resumes a more “normal” pace. Keep in mind the values that matter to you and your family, and try to prioritize accordingly as life begins to open back up and possibly become more hectic.
• Take it slowly – It may be helpful to incrementally resume previous activities. For example, kids may benefit from shorter playdates at first, or playdates with one friend at a time, as they get used to socializing again. Follow your child’s lead to assess their comfort level, and recognize their courage during this process. 
• Recognize caution versus anxiety – It can be very difficult to separate caution due to legitimate fears from unnecessary fear, but it can be helpful to remind kids (and ourselves) of the ways in which we have stayed safe and are continuing to stay safe, even as health regulations are shifting. Parents can help set the tone for how anxious or reassured kids feel during this process. 

We were all challenged to build resilience and practice flexibility when we adjusted to the “new normal” of COVID-19, and the re-entry process is part of that story too. By practicing patience, honoring uncomfortable feelings, and being gentle with ourselves and one another, we can continue to build on what we have learned as we move into the next chapter. 

Kati Ann Stein, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist