This article is the continuation of article 4. In article 4 I had mentioned the problems, causes and solution for growing anxiety in children. In this article I will write about how the different age group of children are being affected differently. It's mainly because of their adhering to the norms or not adhering to the norms being set by parents at home.

Firstly I will talk about children within the age group of 1 to 13, most of these children are responding well to their parents genuine concern and are doing exactly what they are being guided to do. It's only a small percentage of children who are obstinate and stubborn. 

Second: main problem is with the teenagers who are neither taking any initiate to know about the lifestyle being expected to live in times of pandemic nor are they listening to their parents. These children have lost touch with their friends from school and have become addicted to social media. These children are not following a healthy lifestyle be it taking nutritious diet, exercising, sleeping on time or waking etc. Most of them have become internet addicts and have lost touch with parents too. This unhealthy lifestyle in pandemic times is going to be mentally, emotionally and physically damaging to them. Unless they change they will not be able to cope with the looming dread of viruses and its effect on a child's mind and body. Parents can't force these children to obey as the children have their so called logical explanations. It's become really impossible to make these children follow a time table that can benefit them in the long run. Most of the parents feel that once the pandemic is over, these children would get back to their normal self easily. But the situation could get worse in future if not taken care of it right away. 

Now the question arises what can the parents do inorder help their children. I am saying help because one cannot force teenagers through strict discipline. There's always a way out to each problem and most parents know how to deal with their children. Without being rude, critical and abusive the parent need to talk to their children. Don't shut off if the child doesn't respond immediately. It may take time but they will respond positively. Parents themselves have to be extremely patient with their children realising the grave situation that has arisen all of a sudden. Many parents themselves feel helpless and don't know how to deal with the present problems. Many are seeking advise from relatives and friends and many are also taking professional help inorder to solve the issues. A combination of the two could benefit or may be destructive. There's no set formulae to work on all the children in the same way. Keeping the individual differences and personality traits in mind the solution may differ from child to child even if they are born of same parents. It's going to be a long procedure but it will work. One has to be consistent in solving the child's problem and keeping each day's progress in mind the ways have to be changed regularly. Always start small and finally the last step will be easy to climb. 
Here's a step wise efforts that parents can make inorder to help their teenage children. But as I said before that their isn't any set formulae to solve the problem so this step wise guidance can be altered and changed, added to or subtracted as per the need and requirement of the situation.
Step 1: Break the barrier: talk to your children every day in a polite but responsible way. Show concern and care. Initially you can talk about movies, friends, songs, hobbies, games or anything of the child's interest. Go slow and increase your timing of conversation. It should be two way conversation not a dictatorial speech. 
Step 2: Build the bridge: the emotional gap between the parent and child has to be filled up. Over the years our life style has created more barriers than bridges between relationships. Now is the time to bridge those gaps. Create a bridge of love, happiness, joy, care, concern, compassion etc. Once the bridge is made then you can easily reach the heart of your child and then the magic begins.
Step 3: keep repeating the first two steps. It's not over once achieved. It has to be worked upon regularly without neglecting it at any step. Keep making the bridge stronger and stronger and your work will become extremely easy.
Step 4: don't manipulate but guide your child with facts. Talk to them intellectually giving them data from various researches if necessary. Involve them and encourage them to speak on the topics you think is important for your child's mental, physical, emotional health. They will learn more by doing it themselves. Be a part of their activity in whatever way you can.
Step 4: be disciplined yourself first. Don't just preach but practise. If you want your child to deaddict them from internet, do it yourself first. In the same way for all your guidance and help you impart make sure you live by them yourself first. It becomes easy for a child to copy their role model. So try to be a good role model for your child.
Step 5: positivity at home: positive talks, attitudes, news, games, emotions, feelings and music will fill your home with positive energies. Once the positive energies are constructed then the work to build the child's mental health becomes easy. The mind does what it receives. And s person gives back what it attains. 
There can be innumerable steps as per the need and requirement of the child. The above mentioned steps are only a guideline to build upon your own steps to help yourself, your family and your child. Do the needful and you can make your home your own Paris, Scotland, hill station, beach or a beautiful resort.