Pandemic-EBT Benefits for Families
Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may be eligible for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to purchase food for days they are not in the school building. To be considered, households must submit an application for free or reduced-price meals for the 2020-21 school year or be approved for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Families who received P-EBT benefits last summer are not automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year. Benefits may be retroactive to September 2020, depending on when eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined. To ensure you qualify for the most benefits, please submit your application as soon as possible.
SoWashCo CARES Saturday Supper Club!: Meals are free. No signup is required. Curbside pick up. First come, first served!
Time: Saturdays 5-6:30pm
Locations:
1st Saturdays of every month..Basic Needs Services at 445 Broadway Ave in St Paul Park (beginning May 1)
2nd Saturdays of every month..Newport Lutheran Church at 900 15th St in Newport (beginning April 10)
3rd Saturdays of every month..SoWashCo CARES at the District Program Center at 8400 E Point Douglas Rd in Cottage Grove (beginning Sept 18)
4th Saturdays of every month..The Grove Churches at 7465 Steepleview Rd in Woodbury and at 8600 90th St in Cottage Grove (beginning April 24)
5th Saturdays..bonus partners TBD
#StayConnected MN: Week 3:
The environment around us can have a major impact on our mental and physical well-being. Improve your personal environment Your home and work environment can influence your mood and motivation and create or reduce stress. Creating a comfortable and healing environment that works for you can help you feel energized and calm. Consider reducing clutter and visual noise, improving lighting conditions, adding plants or other glimpses of nature, and reducing background noise. Take a moment to connect with your home environment, and create a space that works for you. Check out the websites below for information and tips: How does your personal environment impact your wellbeing?, the University of Minnesota. The Connection between Your Home and Your Sense of Well-being, the University of Wisconsin. Nature heals Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress, and increases pleasant feelings. Take some time this week to get outside. Concentrate on the scene around you. Even a quick step outside can feel rejuvenating and help balance our moods. Consider taking a short walk around your neighborhood, driving along a scenic route, or even grabbing a quick moment in an outdoor space near you. If going outside is not an option, try to bring nature indoors. Houseplants, aquariums, or even posters of nature scenes can all help bring an element of nature into your home. #STAYCONNECTEDMN 7 of 9 Check out these websites for ideas on how to get out and enjoy Minnesota outdoors:
10 Nature Activities to Help Get your Family Through COVID, Children and Nature.
Recreation activities in every season, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Winter Shelter Resource: St. Andrews Church
CHADD: Support Groups for Parents for ADHD: New-a support groups for dad's.
ADHD: Stop the Stigma, Start the Support. Please join us on Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30-7:45pm to hear pediatric neuropsychologist, Dr. Tou Khang and District 833 School Psychologist, Dan Osher for ADHD and the Evaluation Process: What you need to know and where to start.
Please see the attached flier for additional information or to print and post. Registration information can be found here. Please share with others.
#StayConnectedMN : See Parent SEL tab for more information
Mental health and well-being have always been important to overall health. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that Minnesotans take time to focus on our mental well-being, as we experience changing stress and challenges in our daily lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges and uncertainties for Minnesotans. Many are adjusting to changes that impact their work environments, home routines, children’s school schedules, and access to mental health supports.
Food Resources:
The Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf hosts free produce fairs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday morning of every month.
Fare For All is also an option, but I believe there is a small cost and they have a very limited schedule right now.
https://fareforall.thefoodgroupmn.org/
NAMI Washington County virtual Support Groups for Washington and St Croix County residents 1/3rd Monday 6:30-8; 2nd Tuesday 6-7:30; and 3rdTuesday 7-8:30. Search for support groups including support groups for family members, resource groups for parents and children, support groups for adults living with mental illness and youth resources and support.
The Military Child Education Coalition has created a page called Navigating change. It has some great resources. See description and link below.
“We know this is an especially difficult time for our military families and children. Although resiliency and inner strength are qualities we admire in military families, during these uncertain times, MCEC is here with additional support. Taking what we’ve learned from over 20 years of helping military kids and their families successfully manage transition and mobility issues, we have culled supportive content and resources for parents, educators, and students. We hope you will use the content and resources here to inspire and renew a sense of hope and wellbeing in your life and the lives of those in your care.”
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/navigating-change
Mel Johnson
Child and Youth Program Coordinator
Dynamic Systems Technology Inc. - Contractor
Minnesota Army National Guard
O: 651.268.8378 <tel:651.268.8378>
M: 651.242.6910 <tel:651.242.6910>
Melissa.L.Johnson125.ctr@mail.mil
Talking to Kids About the Events at the Capital and Around the Country: Resources for Staff and Families:
Supporting Marginalized Students in the Context of the 2020 Election: Tips for Parents
Supporting Children’s Mental Health: Tips for Parents and Educators
https://www.facinghistory.org/educator-resources/current-events/responding-insurrection-us-capitol
+ 10 Ways to Talk to Students about Sensitive Issues in the New
+ The Trauma of Racist Violence is Nothing New for Black Children
Crisis Support During Winter Break
If you need crisis, mental health or suicide prevenation support during winter break, please visit the Washington County Crisis Response page or call 651-275-7400. The Washington County Crisis Response Unit provides 24/7 mental health services for adults and children experiencing a crisis.
One of Those Kids: Jonathan Mooney: January 27, 2021
ADHD Presentation/Panel: Dr. Carly Kody: January 23, 2021
4 Quick Ways to Improve D.L. :
The MN National Guard is offering two activity packets, one for 6-10 year olds focusing on resiliency and one for 13-18 year olds focusing on life skill. The links to the packets are below. Feel free to sign up and use as you see fit.
https://mnarngfamilyprograms.wufoo.com/forms/resilience-packet-for-youth-610yrs/
https://mnarngfamilyprograms.wufoo.com/forms/life-skills-101-packet/
WellShare CoVid 19 Hotline: English
WellShare CoVid 19 Hotline: Spanish
WellShare CoVid 19 Hotline: Somali
WellShare CoVid 19 Hotline: Oromo
Check out this inspirational song. "Together, we are all doing a GOOD JOB" as we help our children get through this COVID life-storm.
Parenting in a Pandemic slides here.
District 833 Resources - Made possible by PrairieCare Child & Family Fund
Let’s Talk about Mental Health here - a video from students in SoWashCo
Living Online: a SoWashCo podcast series here on Teens, Technology & Mental Health
Mark your calendars for Screenagers the Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience coming on February 2 - view trailer here.
Spark & Stitch Institute – recommended resources and information from Erin Walsh
Posts:
Do Screen Time Rules Matter in a Pandemic? Try This Approach.
What Teens Need Us To Know About Social Media and Mental Health
Five Ways to Stay Connected To Kids During Stressful Times
10 Tips for Building Trust With Parental Controls
Mid-Year Motivation Guide: Help Your Child Persist with Hybrid or Online Learning:FREE WEBINAR THIS WEEK
with Sharon Saline, Psy.D.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020 @ 1pm Eastern Time (find it in your time zone »)
Can't attend the live webinar?
This webinar will be recorded. Register now and we'll email you the replay link as soon as it's available »
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Parenting in a Pandemic: Screen Time and Mental Health
COVID-19 has made parenting even more challenging, especially when it comes to screen time. Join us for this timely Parenting in a Pandemic webinar by Erin Walsh, media and child development expert. Erin uses brain science, stories and humor to cut through the complexities of this challenging topic and empower you with a fresh perspective and practical strategies. The presentation is geared toward 5th grade through secondary students.
December 2, 2020, 6:30-7:30 pm - Virtual Presentation
Additional information and registration link may be found here.
Weathering Life's Losses (WLL) Grief Group Flyer
Thursdays at 6:30 @Laveview Hospital (Stillwater)
Short Tips on Schooling at Home: Tina Fiegal
Curbside meal delivery will continue while we are in distance learning. We will be having 6 sites open on various days and times in hopes we can reach as many families as possible. Please encourage your families to pick up meals. They are free for everyone, not just those in need or who qualified for free or reduced meals. We have already had to furlough a portion of our staff, so please support this program to keep the rest of us in Nutrition Services employed and families fed.
Beginning December 7th, the following sites will be open:
Lake – Tuesday morning from 9am-noon
Woodbury Middle – Wednesday morning from 9am-noon
Oltman Middle – Wednesday afternoon from noon-3:00pm
Woodbury High School – Thursday evening from 4:00-7:00pm
East Ridge High School – Friday morning from 9am-noon
Park High School – Friday morning from 9am –noon
Each site will be providing 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches along with milk for each student.
For meals prior to December 7th, please direct families to the district website for delivery calendars and locations. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me via email or the DSC staff at x6280.
FREE Food Distribution TODAY!!!!!!
11:00-1:00 Woodbury Environmental Center
The Sheridan Story weekend food packs
District 833 is partnering with the Sheridan Story program to offer free weekend food packs to those families in need of food to sustain them over the weekends and long holidays. If your family is in need of this resource, please reach out to Tara Dahlager: tdahlage@sowashco.org. We are happy to provide support during this Covid19 life-storm!
Confident Parents/Confident Kids
Tina Fiegal: Parenting Mojo: Videos
Prepared Meal Delivery Order Form:
https://washcophe.formstack.com/forms/prepared_meal_request
First deliveries will occur the week of November 2-6
Sign up one time to receive a weekly meal delivery
Northern/Central deliveries will take place on Tuesday afternoons
Southern deliveries will take place on Thursday afternoons
Weekly deliveries will include two different meals, with servings appropriate for your household size.
We are unable to accommodate specific dietary requests.
Meals will be delivered cooled. Recipients will be responsible for re-heating for consumption.
Emergency Food Pack Delivery Order Form:
https://washcophe.formstack.com/forms/emergency_food_request
Participants should submit a request each time they need a delivery
Participants may request deliveries as often as needed
Food packs are provided by local food shelves.
Packs include fresh produce, frozen meat, dairy, dry goods, and personal care products (all items are provided as they are available to the food shelves)
Deliveries will be scheduled as soon as possible, (at the latest, within 7 days of their form submission)- participants will be notified when their delivery is scheduled via email/phone
It’s helpful if someone from the household is available during the delivery, since perishable foods are included in the pack
Winter Clothing Drive: Vietnamese:
Winter Clothing Drive: English
Winter Clothing Drive: Mandarin Chinese
Winter Clothing Drive: Spanish
Please remind your children to wear Orange on Wednesday, October 21st and Thursday, October 22nd this week to UNITE AGAINST BULLYING.
Thanks for supporting Respect and Bullying Awareness Month!
Building Positive Conditions for Learning at Home: Resources for Families and Caregivers
ATTitude: How Stress and Trauma Affect ADHD in Children of All Colors
District 833 Winter Clothing Drive: If your family is in need of winter wear, please check out this free resource from SoWashCo CARES. Also, if you would like to donate items to the drive, you can also access a form to do that as well. We are all in need of help in some aspect of our lives and it is smart to reach out to others and our resources to get that help. Our Middleton School Family is in this together!
MACMH: Helping Children Cope with Existential Anxiety: November 3rd
Parenting Mojo: Now that School is in Session, How are You Doing?
PARENTS EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH GRIEVING STUDENTS
What is ADHD? How Does it Affect Kids?
Being a parent/guardian of a child with ADHD or a potential diagnosis can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn and do to support your child, but you are not alone. We invite you to participate in a FREE parenting series. Over the course of six sessions, local experts will share reliable information on ADHD, identification and testing, school and home supports and treatment options. Please join us for the first virtual session with Psychologist, Gary Johnson, on November 18 from 6:30-7:45. See the attached flier for registration information. Additional session dates to be shared on November 18.
PACER Webinar for Families: October 10th: Free Virtual Event for Families and Professionals on Supporting the Mental Health of Children During Unsure Times
October is Mental Health Awareness Month
October also ADHD Awareness Month: https://adhdawarenessmonth.org/ . I especially like the Myths and Facts about ADHD.
Tips for Parents and Teachers in Supporting your Children through Covid Times:
Helping Children Cope with the Changes from COVID19
CASEL Care Free Webinars for Educators and Parents
National Guard: Children and Family Resource Packet
Learning Keeps Going.org: Tips for Parents to help with Distance Learning
Tips and Resources for Children and Parents During COVID-19
Lives in the Balance: Ross Green
COVID Cares Support Service
COVID Cares Support Service is a statewide phone line offering free, anonymous support for people experiencing stress and anxiety; it’s staffed by a volunteer team of licensed mental health professionals. It is not therapy but rather a support line in the moment and offers resources if needed. It is staffed by licensed mental health professionals.
Mask Wearing and Social Distancing Resource Docs
Social Distancing at School Icons
Physical Distancing During COVID
Center for The Challenging Child: Tina Fiegal: Tapping Resilience in Ourselves and Our Children During the Pandemic
Resources for Families Impacted by Cancer
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Families in Need (Any families that might qualify for Free or Reduced Lunches should still fill out the paperwork for that however)
Conscious Discipline Resources: (CD is a positive discipline framework for schools, but the information is also very relevant to parenting at home)
Welcome back to the new school year. We know there are many mixed feelings within us all as we transition back to a new way of teaching and learning. Please know we are here to support your child's social/emotional well-being and want to partner with you in helping your family adjust to all of the changes that will be taking place. We also look forward to learning about all of the resilient qualities and positive skill sets your child and your family bring to our Middleton School Family.
School Supplies/Backpacks: Please contact Tara Dahlager if you are in need of any school supplies for your student(s). tdahlage@sowashco.org
Social-Emotional Support during Transition Week: If you believe your child will need extra assistance during transition week, please call one of us and we are happy to set up a support plan with you. There will also be multiple staff there to support your child throughout the day.
Other Information:
Kinder Care Learning Center: Family Resources:
Proud Papa: Leveraging Fathers' Skills to Support Their Children
Anti-Racism Resources
Food Resources for Summer
Loaves and Fishes at Eastern Twin Cities Islamic Center (ETCIC)
Birdi Golf Restaurant is offering free meals for families in need
PACER Family Engagement Center:
Resources:
MACMHA...Puppet Shows: Fidgety Fairytales
Ross Green: Lives in the Balance: Parenting your Challenging Child
ECFE Parent Education Zoom classes
classes are grouped for parents of children birth through Pre-K, and parents of children Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Week of May 18-Using Media Wisely: Maximizing the benefits and minimizing negative effects
Week of May 25: Intentional Parenting: Focusing on solutions and making happy memories
Sessions are FREE. Registration is required. Register at: https://bit.ly/35h28eb.
Today is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day...See information from MCMHA (Minnesota Children's Mental Health Association
ECFE is offering FREE Virtual Parent Weekly Discussion Sessions using Zoom and Virtual Individual Parent Consultations for families with children birth through 3rd grade. You may have families who are struggling to adapt to the new world of social distancing and provide a sense of routine and structure for their children. We have a number of virtual discussions available as outlined on the attached flyer. Registration for Virtual Parent Weekly Discussion Sessions is required. https://bit.ly/2YsqznB.
For Virtual Individual Parent Consultations (conducted by Zoom, Phone, Text or Email)
Individual Parent Consultations can be directly requested by families using the Virtual Parent Consultation Request Form: https://forms.gle/kkeqH9URzkCKr3mG8
Referrals of families who could benefit from Virtual Individual Parent Consultations can be submitted by professionals using the Virtual Parent Consultation Referral Form: https://forms.gle/Mba1xPD1uAURQvZA7
Dr. Mark Brackett and Brene Brown; Permission to Feel Podcast: Unlocking Us
Responding to Disruptive Younger Children at Home: Conscious Discipline
Resource Reminders:
No matter where learning takes place – in the classroom, at home, virtually or on-the-go – it’s important to check-in physically and emotionally to ensure children are feeling supported. Please reach out to us if you need additional support in this way
Staying Healthy and Active with Virtual and At-Home Learning
Free Meal Distribution: Food service operations are ongoing despite the extended school closure and will remain in place throughout the remainder of the school year. Staff will continue to comply with the most current health guidelines when distributing meals. Visit the district’s website for more information on our district’s meal distribution program.
Emergency Child Care Information: Emergency Child Care will continue through the extended distance learning period, at no cost to families who qualify. Emergency Child Care is open to currently enrolled students in kindergarten-grade 5 for parents or guardians who are defined as essential employees. Visit the district’s website for more information on our district’s emergency child care.
Literacy through Rap Options:
Social Stories for Kids:
My Hero Is You: How Kids Can Fight COVID 19
Meant to be read by a parent, teacher, etc to a child
The Awake Network: SEL and Mindfulness resources for educators, students and parents
Daily Quarantine Questions:
6 Daily Questions: With beautiful backgound. :)
What am I GRATEFUL for today?
Who am I CHECKING IN WITH or CONNECTING WITH today?
What expectations of "normal" am I LETTING GO OF today?
How am I GETTING OUTSIDE today?
How ams I MOVING MY BODY today?
What BEAUTY am I either creating, cultivating or inviting in today?
Eastern Twin Cities Islamic Center: Free Curbside Meals on Wednesdays
Community Outreach COVID-19: Woodbury Public Safety has established a staffed Mon-Fri, 9AM-3PM helpline that went live today to help connect people to needed resources. Types of resources include: Information on prescription delivery for those that can’t leave their homes, information on Woodbury grocery stores that deliver, information on 3rd party grocery delivery options active in Woodbury, information on setting up curbside pick-up for our Woodbury businesses, connecting people with financial difficulties to local emergency help providers, and providing information on county and state agencies for other questions. We’re distributing the attached flyer to our senior living centers and group homes along with putting it out on all of our city social media platforms.
Helping Your Children Manage COVID-19 Realities: Beyond the Facts and Into the Effects on our Lives Free Webinar | Friday, April 17 | 12:30 to 2 p.m. CST Anne Gearity, PhD: Birth-6 years
COVID- 19 has challenged every dimension of our lives. We are all trying to make sense of what is happening — and how to engage in daily life without feeling worried or bored or even angry. Children are doing the same and are counting on their parents and caregivers to guide them. Yet we are not experts on how to navigate through this unprecedented time; we only have guesses about what could help. This webinar will explore children’s experiences and offer ideas that could mitigate the inevitable challenges of living through this crisis.
Learning Objectives:
Appreciate the profound meaning of we are all in this together: accept the common dangers and uncertainties of life in the time of COVID-19.
Apply and rely on normal developmental processes to offer support and guidance to struggling families.
Build on clinical creativity to help children use their minds to solve worry, boredom, anger and other feelings.
Parents, as we all know now, this period of distance learning and pretty much "distance" everything is going to be extended until mid-May. I don't know about you, but that brings out a lot of different thoughts and emotions in my brain and body and some times I don't even feel close to being my same old self (personally or professionally). I know that is normal, but it doesn't feel good or right.
Our COVID-19 life-stories are playing out differently for all of us. The changes, the stressors, the losses and even the "silver linings" are different depending on our individual/family circumstances. What we do know is that we are all having to adjust to this change and are faced with things we may never have experienced up until now, nor predicted we ever would. In some situations we might show our best selves, in some...eh...so so, and in some..OMgosh...what did I just do (or say).
This all is true for our children as well. If it is tough for us...imagine what it is like for them. They have been through so much change and loss right now, and they are living in the emotional storm that is playing out in our homes and in our communities. Even those kids who normally have really good coping skills don't necessarily have the emotional toolset to handle these times on an every day basis. Here are some "normal" behaviors you might be seeing in your kiddos right now:
They may:
Have a lot of worries and a ton of "what if questions"
Be showing somatic signs of anxiety: stomach aches, headaches, extreme agitation, eating issues, sleeping issues to name a few
Be extremely moody due to a multitude of factors:
They are grieving and experiencing losses
They may not be eating or exercising like normal
They might be bored
They miss their friends
Have a short attention span or have difficulty initiating or completing work easily
Experience different academic challenges that they have not struggled with in the past
Be more needy of your attention (whether it be positive attention or negative)
Insert other behaviors that are of concern.....
For some of you, these behaviors are new. Know that these behaviors are normal. Still concerning, but normal. We have a bunch of humans with true "adjustment disorders" living amongst us right now. Some of these behaviors might have been existing behaviors that are now more frequent, intense or lasting for longer durations. This can be normal too. What ever the case, here are a few things you can do:
Notice when you are emotionally triggered and stay calm or calm down.
Always acknowledge and validate their feelings first.
Never try to reason with a child who is in a "heated emotional state." They are not thinking logically!
Try not to add fuel to the fire...this fuel can come in the form of lectures, power struggles, yelling, name-calling, etc. I know that it is hard to practice self-control and at times our frustration/anger gets the best of us.
Try to help calm them down the best that you can. If you already have a pre-established "calm plans" this can help be all of your guides when situations escalate. I SUGGEST YOU POST THIS CALM PLAN in every room of the house. 😀
Know when you are at your limits...tag team with others in the house.
Call on your resources: family, friends, neighbors, teachers and of course, one of us on the building mental health team.
Keep individual or "family" feeling journals or "feeling communication boxes."
Go to the Parent SEL for more ideas.
If you believe any of these behaviors are not getting better in time, if they become out of control and/or you are concerned for your child's safety due to risk of self-harm or harm to others, I strongly encourage you to seek help from one of the crisis resources on the family resource page found on this google site. There is also a resource page on the Sowashco District Homepage: https://www.sowashco.org/.
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There are so many emotions that come about daily from all of the ways COVID 19 impacts our life functioning. Russ Harris developed an effective way to remember how best to process and work through the stress that comes along with it:
FACE COVID, by Dr. Russ Harris (Author of the Happiness Trap)
F: Focus on what’s in your control
Drop the anchor and prepare for the “emotional storm”
Focus on the present
Decide what you will do here and now
Deal with your inner world (your thoughts and feelings)
A: Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings
Observe and be curious
Don’t judge...just accept
Name it to Tame it!
C: Come back to your body
Connect with your physical body
Ground yourself...put feet on the floor or sit on the floor
Stretch, breathe
E: Engage in what you are doing
Try a sensory activity: see 5 things, hear, smell, taste
Refocus attention back on what you were doing
C: Committed Action:
Self-Care
Show Kindness to self and others
Offer Help/Support/Advice
Be Active/Exercise
O: Opening up:
Make room for difficult feelings, don't push them away or try to cover them up
Practice self-kindness
V: Values:
Decide what sort of person you want to be through this
Live out your values
I: Identify Resources:
Seek out others for support
Utilize Social Networks to connect with others
Search for “reliable sources of information” and share that info
D: Disinfect and Distance
FACE COVID: Russ Harris: Author of the Happiness Trap
FACE COVID: Youtube video There are so many emotions that come about daily from all of the ways COVID 19 impacts our life functioning. Russ Harris developed an effective way to remember how best to process and work through the stress that comes along with it:
Good morning parents/caretakers!
I hope you all were able to find even a little bit of rest, relaxation and/or enjoyment over the weekend.
As we enter into Week 3 of Distance Learning, I am sure many of you laid in bed this morning with a variety of feelings. Some of you might have jumped right out of bed, raring to go. Some of you might have wanted to just burrow yourself under the covers. And, of course, there are many a feeling states in the middle. I think I hit my snooze button a few times more than normal.
After talking to my own family members who are living life as "home school teaching assistants", they are finding it beyond stressful and many times do not feel smarter than an 'elementary grader.' I know my own daughter in high school reminds me of what I don't know on a daily basis. She does not have much patience with me either. She just does not understand that my brain has TMI (Too much Information) in it. There is a lot I do know...I am smart...just not "her kind of smart." :) I have to keep reminding myself of that.
Let's talk about emotions. As you have probably experienced, there are ALOT of emotions to be felt within households on a daily basis. If any of you are having a hard time helping your child with his/her emotional states, check out ideas for families offered by Second Steps.
District 833 Emergency Childcare: call 651-425-6639.
Yep...this is a lot easier said than done, but it is so true. As contagious as the Covid19 is, so are our emotions and our reactions to those emotions and problems that go along with it. Our kids sometimes see the best in us. They sometimes see the so so and unfortunately they see the worst in us too. None the less, they learn from us; what to do and sometimes what not to do. Here is a video on how stress and trauma and the way we react to it affects our brains and our kid's brains:
Conscious Discipline/Dr. Becky Bailey: COVID-19 Stress: How Uncertainty Affects Our Brains
No time to watch the video...here are my "cliff notes"...
Parents...Caregivers...it is not easy to "adult" right now. Here are some suggestions to help you to help your family:
Be good to yourself...take care of yourself (eat, sleep, breathe, hydrate).
Do the best you can each day. Forgive yourself for your short-comings and sing praises to your successes. This way of living right now is not normal!
Focus on what you can control.
Breathe ALOT!
Find your own "calming place"...AKA "place of survival and sanity."
Find ways to enjoy life and laugh...even for a minute.
Reach out to others...YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Try to set a predictable schedule for your family each day (similar to the school day).
Be honest with your children...tell them the truth in a calm way.
It is okay to make mistakes. Admit when you handle things in ways you wish you would have done differently.
Help other people and encourage your children to help others...it feels good.
Our brains are programmed to adapt to change...sometimes in healthy ways and sometimes unhealthy.
How we respond to stress/change impacts how our children will respond.
If we work on having a positive mindset, we can increase resilience in ourselves and our children.
Our brains are programmed to predict certain outcomes based on the experiences we have had all throughout our lives (especially our childhood). Sometimes those predictions are right and sometimes they are wrong.
We constantly update our predictions as we get new information (be careful what information you are paying attention to and don't believe everything you hear).
We can create new, more realistic predictions if we are open to "fresh ideas", but we have to be open to new ways of looking at things, rather than being stuck in our old ways of thinking.
Many of us don't like to feel the "Corona Jitters"...they feel uncomfortable and scary. Many of us want to hide from them, distract ourselves, or push them away. However, having these feelings doesn't have to be a bad thing even though they feel bad. They help us to:
Be alert and flexible with our thoughts and reactions (able to change rather than get "stuck")
Get mobilized and motivated to change/adapt in healthy ways
Take positive action...turning those feelings into things we can do to help ourselves, our families and/or our community
It is okay to recognize all of the difficult, sometimes horrible feelings that Covid19 is bringing to our lives...Strategy..."Name it to Tame it.(Dan Siegel)" It is also okay to see the opportunities that are coming from it:
We can take this time to focus in on ourselves..acknowledging our strengths, our weakness and ways we can make more healthy life decisions and deal with our own emotions and relationships better.
We can take this time to focus on our families...spending time with them, setting up new rules and structures, and finding ways to create better ways of dealing with our problems and feelings that go along with them.
We can try and understand that the behavior of our children is always telling us something. Most of the time they are not trying to tick us off or be disrespectful, they are telling us that they can't handle something...they don't know what to do...they are hungry...they don't know what to do with their "bored feelings"...the school work is too hard...they love you, but they miss their teacher and they want them to be teaching, not you, etc...etc...
Realize that emotions are contagious...our emotional energy affects the emotional energy of our kids.
Prioritize what matters...eating healthy, being active, getting out in nature, having fun, and sometimes just being still...BE STILL AND BREATHE!