Back to School Tips
School is back in session; this year looking very different than years past.
Both parents and students are learning to navigate the new educational changes, as well as the mental and emotional changes brought on by the start of school during a pandemic. The anxiety we are now feeling and exhibiting as parents is on full display for our kids. It gets internalized by our kids. We're anxious; our kids are anxious.
Here are some tips to help us get through it:
Talk openly about concerns; use reliable sources for factual sharing of information at an age appropriate level. The CDC and WHO have a wealth of covid-19 tips available to the general public.
Maintain regular family routines, whenever possible: meals together, set bedtimes, chores, study time, play time, fun family connecting time. Kids thrive on routines. Now is not the time for an 11:00 pm bedtime for a toddler so they can watch more videos.
Reassure kids that there are lots of smart grownups trying to fix this problem and sometimes, grownups make mistakes or don't have all the answers. Sesame Street has an excellent educational clip about covid-19 for young children.
Stay positive and take care of your own mental health. It's the old "put your own oxygen mask on first" thinking; we can't help our kids unless we're helping ourselves first. Kids are astute observers of our behavior. If we're in bed until noon, eating junk food until 2:00 am, and the house hasn't been picked up in 6 months, it's going to be difficult for our kids to feel motivated to ease into a new normal with school. Ask for help if you need it.
Provide stability, security and safety, so your kids can venture out into the school world they need on so many levels.
Talk to your kids about their day with clear, open ended questions, i.e. ‘What did you like best about learning today? What was the hardest for you today? What might help you pay more attention when you’re in the online classroom?
Validate their emotions, without trying to fix everything. “You really miss seeing your friends in person. That sure makes sense.”
Take a walk with your kids and see how many senses you’re aware of: what you see, hear, smell, maybe taste, touch. Remain curious about the world around you.
Most importantly, keep a sense of humor and perspective, knowing that this is an unprecedented time in our current history that we will get through.
We are always available on our phone number 828.669.9798 or by visiting our website www.blackmountaincounseling.org.
