Children often worry when they hear of frightening events that are beyond their control. Troubled times are an opportunity for homeschooling Ontario parents to help their children understand how to handle and manage their feelings, acquire resilience, and confront challenges. By giving them a safe environment, and being attentive and calm—and seeking professional assistance when it’s required—parents can lessen the dismay, fear, or confusion they often feel during chaotic times, and helping them cultivate coping skills that can serve them going forward.
Parents should not dismiss the child’s aspiration to learn about what is happening, no matter how difficult the situation is. As an alternative, they must listen carefully, recognize the worries as valid, and give complete support in learning more about the possible causes of the situation, and things that can be done to prevent recurrences.
Wearing your air mask before helping others:
Have you ever heard the airline instructions about fixing your own oxygen mask during an emergency before adjusting the child’s? Similarly, parents should wrestle with their own emotional baggage and anxieties before they can handle their child’s emotions. This includes developing successful coping strategies.
Effective coping skills:
- It is a great idea to communicate regularly with grandparents and other relatives in the child’s life. In case the child feels that the people in his or her life are distracted, upset, harried or condescending they may be more worried.
- You must honor your feelings. Understand your own emotions before trying to address the concerns of your child.
- Social support. Speak to family, friends, and others about problems that may be unsettling.
- Stick to normal routines. Predictability and security are particularly important in times of trouble.
- Create a peaceful atmosphere. Try offering enough time for quiet discussion when feeling relaxed.
- Listen. Pay close attention to what the little one is saying, and also what they are not saying. Ask them what they wish to learn more about, and concerns they may have.
- Pay close attention to undue stress. Your attention is especially important if your little one has experienced disturbing events, has had emotional problems in the past, lacks friends, or shows symptoms of undue stress. Some signs include changes in activity level, sleep, eating habits, academic decline, mood swings, and substance abuse.
- Be honest, discreet. Recognize that there are issues, and make yourself available to discuss them, but do not be too honest with the child as they are not mature enough to handle the truth as it is.
- Get help. If the child is deeply troubled and you are having a hard time trying to calm them, consider getting in touch with a professional with expertise in the child’s emotional well-being.
It is impossible for homeschooling Ontario parents to shelter their children from all hardships, but they can help them learn about inequalities in the world, and find ways to make their life as fulfilling and balanced as they like.