How to Help Your Kids Cope with the Lasting Pandemic
Yes, the pandemic is still going on. This likely means that your kids are starting to have a difficult time coping with the long time they've spend away from their friends, away from events and social gatherings that they miss, and just simply cooped up at home with nothing else to do. When you have kids, you have had to juggle many roles during this pandemic, such as teacher, chef, nanny, tutor, entertainer, maid, and more. And many of you are likely doing this while juggling a new work-from-home job. At our counseling in Winter Garden, we help many people cope with the difficulties that these changes have brought to our lives. We offer a few suggestions to help you and your kids cope with this lasting pandemic.
Listen to Your Kids
As parents, you have many responsibilities on your shoulders. This may cause you to nod in agreement rather than fully listen to your children, simply because you are preoccupied. However, you want to make sure to give yourself time to talk to and fully listen to your kids. By setting aside time for quality conversations, you will be able to frequently check in on their mental health, concerns, lifestyle, and other important aspects of their lives.
Stay Positive
If you kids are surrounded by negativity, they may start to exude those same emotions. To prevent this from happening, provide a positive environment for your kids at home. Give them space to have fun, stay involved, try new things, and enjoy life, despite all the complications that are going on outside. By giving them space to be kids, without worrying about the virus, their friends, school, and other stressors, you will make sure they have positive energy in their lives.
Keep an Eye on Your Kids' Emotions
Take notice of their emotional stability. Have them been acting strangely? Have they been more isolated lately? When you notice major changes in their emotions, attitudes, or behavior, talk to them about how they are feeling. Ask about any triggers in their lives or how the pandemic is truly affecting them. By showing them that you are there for them, they will feel safe coming to you with any problems in the future.
Take Care of Yourself
One of the best ways to parent is to also take care of yourself, too. Set aside time to do things that you love. By prioritizing your self-care, you make sure to remove any triggers from your life as well, which can only provide you with the clarity you need to handle the problems in your home. This clarity will also help you recognize any mood or behavioral changes in your children too.
By following these suggestions, you can help your kids cope with the lasting pandemic, and hope that it will soon reach the end. If you are looking for more help and advice on how to put yourself first and keep your mental health in check during the pandemic, contact our top counseling in Winter Garden today.
