For nearly two years we’ve all been navigating the uncertainties and constant change that has come with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Even the most seasoned and grounded adults have found themselves being impacted in unpredictable ways, balancing everyday life responsibilities along with all of the financial, physical and emotional implications of the pandemic. To some it’s been devastating and to others, life-altering. Regardless, not one of us has been left unaffected. With this, we know the most vulnerable of our society, our children, have been deeply impacted, with less experience and tools to cope to boot. Check out a few helpful tips in supporting your child through this continually uncertain time!
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Ask them about their experience regarding a specific change. As a parent, it’s easy to assume we know all that’s going on in our child’s life and the various ways they may be affected. However, that’s not always the case, and regardless, providing your child with a platform to vocalize their experience goes a long way. Ask your child what it was like having to stay at home during shutdown, or how they felt when it was time to return to school.
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Tell your child (in an age appropriate way, of course) about your experiences in successfully navigating some of the changes in your own life. Expressing some of the difficulties you’ve navigated, while reassuring your child your success in handling them, gives your child confidence that their primary caretaker has experienced and dealt with some serious changes and can be trusted to help lead and support them through their own.
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Give your child plenty of opportunities for REST. As we’ve moved more towards normalcy and our children are in the full swing of in-person classes, sports and other extracurricular activities, the impact of the past couple years is not lost on them and having a space to adequately rest, physically and emotionally, is important for their overall well-being.
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Play! We all know the past two years have been heavy, and what better way to combat that heaviness than with play. Get outside and play catch, jump in piles of leaves, join in on their favorite video game. Fighting weariness with light-hearted fun can make all the difference.