21 Apr Parenting Tips During Coronavirus
They don’t know that you don’t know all the answers. Keep your answers simple and based on actual facts where you can not on what if’s and maybes. Be honest.
Make time for yourself. If you don’t stay strong who will?
Work out a routine that you involve them in that will work for everyone, make an agreement to keep it. See who maintains it the longest and offer an incentive.Don’t put pressure on yourself to become a super teacher. You probably aren’t. Don’t fight to teach them. It doesn’t usually work. Watch for moments of interest and work with them. Discuss news, how to make dinner, why sun is shining, make a mess with craft, build a den, enjoy. Work on topics that you all enjoy if the schooling becomes too tough. Cooking is science and maths all rolled in to one. Walking can be geography and PE, story time is Literacy, so is just talking! Give them an opportunity to take the lead if they want to, after all they have been in this education thing far more recently than you!
Take a deep breath. Walk away if you feel the strain, its hard, we are all being asked to do something very hard. Parenting never came with a manual under usual circumstances. Its ok to feel frustration, worry, stress, it’s how we deal with those things that is important. Share with your partner/friend/ parent/dog/goldfish.
Teenagers aren’t adults. They may speak like they understand but do they? Coping with a teenager in lockdown may mean they need more ‘space’ keep an eye on them, let then come to you. Remind then you love them even if they pull a face and turn back to their screen. They may push back against all that is happening around them, keep your expectations realistic.
Remember the moment they were born, how much love poured into your heart. Show them that love and you will get through this.
Laugh.
Smile.
Hug them ( including the teens if they let you!).
Forget the washing up and play with your children, role play hairdressers…therapy for you, hospitals….best done when you’ve a cup of tea and given them lots of old bandages……you be the patient and sit down with your cuppa whilst they bandage up your ‘broken leg’.
Build a castle under the table, an island on the sofa, grab a box and turn it in to a rowing boat, go on an imaginary journey, dress up for dinner. Or don’t.
Be a super hero…..
Oh you already are! 😊
For more information on how we have aligned our services to the current situation click here
You may also find this article on home-schooling guilt interesting.
Here is an article on helping to explain the coronavirus pandemic to children, accessible here.
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