Mindful parenting is not always an easy task, however in the face of a crisis it can be even more challenging. Recent world events with the COVID-19 health crisis have impacted our nation in unimaginable ways. Of particular concern is the mental health of our children. Ensuring the mental health of our children will require parents to be mindful of how their kids perceive this crisis.
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Parents manner of coping with and responding to this crisis has an impact on how children will remember this life event when they grow up. This current COVID-19 crisis can become a source of trauma for children in life, but it also holds the opportunity to memories of joy…of time spent with family creating wonderful, fun filled memories. It all is dependent on how parents choose to frame this event in the home.
The loss of routine a significant stressor to children. Once the novelty of not being in school wears off, the loss of interactions with peers and extracurricular activities will begin to weigh heavily. Humans thrive on routines, which promote a sense of certainty and safety. Without this, children become stressed which may manifest with increased behavioral outbursts. Parenting mindfully can help promote healthy routines in your home.
Mindful Parenting in a Crisis
How parents respond to a crisis will have a significant impact on how children respond. This can become particularly challenging as you face the impact this crisis has had on your job, finances, and you yourself are isolated from friends and social outlets. And as much as we love our kids, having no outlet from our home can test our patience. Try these helpful tips to promote your ability to be mindful in the face of this crisis
Limit Exposure
The first step in mindful parenting is limiting children’s exposure to the news outlets and information about the crisis is essential. Ensure you watch news and have adult conversations about the crisis when little ears are not around. Be mindful about sharing your own worries and fears about the state of finances, jobs, and health is also required. Children do listen and begin to adopt the emotions and thoughts they are overhearing.
Have Good Coping Skills
Mindful parents model behavior they want their children to display. How you cope with the impact the crisis has on your day to day functioning will impact how your children cope. Avoid heavy alcohol use. Take the time to envision how you want your children to see you take on an unanticipated interruption in life. Then model that behavior. Talk out loud about the positives of added time at home. I am so excited to catch up on reading and cleaning out closets that I never have the time to get to. Reflect these positives to your children.
Walk your kids through the development of healthy coping skills. Establish a family bucket list of fun things to do during the time together. Have a family game night, do a movie night and stream a new release, have a theme night like a night in France! Make Chicken Francese and have crepes for dessert! Talk with your kids about being thankful for the uninterrupted time together. Promote their gratitude for being home and safe together.
Grab a new family game or puzzle that will invoke happy memories of time spent together. I love this game, it is hilarious!
Establish New Routines
Kids thrive with routine and the loss of school and extracurricular activities will begin to wear on children as this crisis persists. Help re-establish routine by establishing new daily structure for your kids. Include them in the decision making about this. Discuss goals they have for themselves and build this into their daily structure. Ensure time for reading, remote learning, and chores…but also fun!
Don’t go crazy with schedules! But write down the new routines and post them where kids can reference it. Encourage independence in structuring their day to help them build this wonderful skill that will benefit them throughout their life.
Have FUN!
Make a family bucket list! Camp out in the backyard. Have a movie marathon. Bake cookies. Sit down with your family and plan fun activities to do with the time you have together.
Promote mindfulness in your children through how you model the opportunities offered by this crisis. That while there is fear and disappointment, there is also opportunity. Mindful parenting requires focus on setting intentions for yourself and your children, but comes with great rewards.
Look back without regret on how you chose to spend this time with your children. Mindful parenting requires presence in the moment. Set intentions each day for yourself and your family.
Nothing is more important than family. Mindful parenting will help to ensure your children (and you!) respond well in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Help them learn the skills to cope with adversity with grace.