I heard that parents were exchanging words of frustration at the limitations and loss this pandemic has presented to their families. I can imagine the frustration they feel as they face so many changes and extra expectations during this time. Yet, I want to encourage parents to stay the course--it's worth it.
Safety
First and foremost, you want to safeguard your family's health and safety in any way that you can. If needed, find out where you can access supports for food and materials--those supports exist.
Schedules
Healthy schedules support all of us during these days. We all need to revisit our routines of house cleaning, self care, sleep, nutritious eating, and investment in current and long term goals. This is a good time to build children's responsibility by giving them responsibility for some household chores--that's good training for their ability to be disciplined and take care of themselves. Good schedules for reading, completing school assignments, playing games, and outdoor exercise and adventure if possible are important too. A good schedule will support health and happiness at home.
Sacrifice
Acknowledge the sacrifices that so many are enduring at this time. Children are missing school, recess, friends, typical treats, and playful vacations and adventures. Acknowledge this. Look for stories of the past that demonstrate that short term sacrifice often leads to long term strength, empathy, and happiness. Find stories of others who have endured sacrifice as points of inspiration and strength. My sister has been reading World War II stories and gaining strength from the sacrifices so many made, the ways they gained strength, and the positive mindsets displayed during such difficult times.
Goals
Look ahead. To make extra time for reading every day with your children will definitely make your children stronger students later on. Similarly playing math games, creating and building, imagination play, listening to music, getting outside in nature, and gardening are some of the many ways that you and your children may learn in ways that will lay a strong foundation for future endeavor and goals. This is a time when short term sacrifice and focus can spell strength for long term goals and dreams.
Contribution
Find ways to give to others. If you and your family members are feeling low, make cards for seniors stuck in nursing homes. Write letters to relatives that live far away. Cook a meal for a neighbor. Find the coins in the house and use that money to buy a gift card for a child in a hospital. There are zillions of ways we can contribute to one another and as my mom always told me, when you're feeling down, get out and help someone else as that will make you feel a lot better.
Conversation
Make time and place for family conversation. This could be the evening meal, a walk outside or during a family game. Be intentional about that conversation. Hone your conversation skills by taking turns, asking good questions, talking about different topics, and encouraging one another to be the best they can be.
Advocate
This pandemic is demonstrating so many areas in which our communities and country can improve. Work with your family members to write letters, research, and suggest and work for ideas to improve and strengthen communities. Where there is a lack of support and service, work together to make positive change.
All in all, if nothing else, this is a time to strengthen your family life with those you love. This is also a time to work for stronger communities. No one would choose this event, but it's here, and the best we can do is to make the best of it. Onward.
Safety
First and foremost, you want to safeguard your family's health and safety in any way that you can. If needed, find out where you can access supports for food and materials--those supports exist.
Schedules
Healthy schedules support all of us during these days. We all need to revisit our routines of house cleaning, self care, sleep, nutritious eating, and investment in current and long term goals. This is a good time to build children's responsibility by giving them responsibility for some household chores--that's good training for their ability to be disciplined and take care of themselves. Good schedules for reading, completing school assignments, playing games, and outdoor exercise and adventure if possible are important too. A good schedule will support health and happiness at home.
Sacrifice
Acknowledge the sacrifices that so many are enduring at this time. Children are missing school, recess, friends, typical treats, and playful vacations and adventures. Acknowledge this. Look for stories of the past that demonstrate that short term sacrifice often leads to long term strength, empathy, and happiness. Find stories of others who have endured sacrifice as points of inspiration and strength. My sister has been reading World War II stories and gaining strength from the sacrifices so many made, the ways they gained strength, and the positive mindsets displayed during such difficult times.
Goals
Look ahead. To make extra time for reading every day with your children will definitely make your children stronger students later on. Similarly playing math games, creating and building, imagination play, listening to music, getting outside in nature, and gardening are some of the many ways that you and your children may learn in ways that will lay a strong foundation for future endeavor and goals. This is a time when short term sacrifice and focus can spell strength for long term goals and dreams.
Contribution
Find ways to give to others. If you and your family members are feeling low, make cards for seniors stuck in nursing homes. Write letters to relatives that live far away. Cook a meal for a neighbor. Find the coins in the house and use that money to buy a gift card for a child in a hospital. There are zillions of ways we can contribute to one another and as my mom always told me, when you're feeling down, get out and help someone else as that will make you feel a lot better.
Conversation
Make time and place for family conversation. This could be the evening meal, a walk outside or during a family game. Be intentional about that conversation. Hone your conversation skills by taking turns, asking good questions, talking about different topics, and encouraging one another to be the best they can be.
Advocate
This pandemic is demonstrating so many areas in which our communities and country can improve. Work with your family members to write letters, research, and suggest and work for ideas to improve and strengthen communities. Where there is a lack of support and service, work together to make positive change.
All in all, if nothing else, this is a time to strengthen your family life with those you love. This is also a time to work for stronger communities. No one would choose this event, but it's here, and the best we can do is to make the best of it. Onward.