By Sheri West, Mother of Three, LiveGirl Founder & CEO, New Canaan Public Schools Board of Education Member
I know a lot of you are feeling scared, anxious and confused right now. I know because that's what I'm feeling too. But I also know that now more than ever, quality family time is essential.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to homeschool your child. It doesn’t matter if you allow more screen time than usual. What matters now is what your kids remember about how their family home felt during the coronavirus panic. Our kids are watching us and learning about how to respond to stress and uncertainty. Now is the time to wire our kids with resilience and empathy. Here’s some ideas on how to do that:
Be honest. Acknowledge to your kids that while no one can predict when or how this pandemic will end. Acknowledge the anxiety and stress this causes for everyone. Now is the time to model that no one is perfect. Apologize when necessary. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. I’m feeling a lot of stress right now.”
Create a ‘new normal’ schedule. With parents working from home and students e-learning, the days will feel different, but most humans benefit from some structure. So, establish a new routine. Set an alarm. (Even if it’s later!) For younger children, don’t feel guilty about adding in more screen time. (Adults, don’t feel guilty about watching more Netflix!)
Do something every day to spark joy. Find reasons to laugh together. This is oh so important. Make a tik tok (dance party!), shoot some baskets, read a Rebel Girls story together. Now is a great time to make a list of some new and fun things you want to do together. (We love virtual museum tours and podcasts.) Have a ‘stupid jokes’ dinner and see who can tell the funniest joke!
Give yourself permission to check out. Now more than ever, it’s an important time to unplug. Parents must model this for children. If you get news alerts on your phone, turn them off when you’re feeling distressed. If your anxiety is rising, step away from social media and your computer screen. Literally. Take a short walk. Stay active. Create a family PE class together. (Saxe MS PE e-learning provides a nice rotation of exercises!
Have gratitude. Now is a great time to start a new ritual of sharing three gratitudes before bedtime. As difficult and uncertain as your day was, you can certainly find something to be grateful for. When the order is given to ‘shelter in place’, give gratitude that you have shelter. When you hear of a friend contracting the virus, give thanks for your health. When you pick up curbside groceries, give thanks for the frontline workers who made it possible.
So, what’s on the West Family 30 Days of Family schedule? We’re planning to simulate the NCAA Final Four (spoiler: Michigan State wins), a euchre tournament, lots of Catan, hikes at the many Land Trust spaces, and writing letters to friends and grandparents. Join us and spend more quality family time together this April.
Sheri West
Mother of Three, LiveGirl Founder & CEO, New Canaan Public Schools Board of Education Member
LiveGirl welcomes you to join Dealing with Anxiety During COVID-19 Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, March 25 @ 12:30-1:30pm ft. Tracy Masella, LCSW
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R5ijbb-KQcKGxTM84seFLw
View our other free online resources and virtual events HERE.
