Quiz: Keeping the Family Healthy Assignment 5: Relationships

Wellness Issues

Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Continue the Calm at Home

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​​​Fear, uncertainty, and existence holed up at home more to tiresome the spread of COVID-19​ can make information technology tough for families to keep a sense of calm. But information technology'southward important to assist children feel rubber, go on good for you routines, manage their emotions and behavior and build resilience.

Hither are some tips from the American University (AAP) to aid your family get through the stress of the pandemic. ​

Address children's fears

Children rely on their parents for safety, both concrete and emotional. Reassure your children that you are in that location for them and that your family will get through this together.

• Answer questions about the pandemic simply & honestly. Talk with children about any frightening news​ they hear. It is OK to say people are getting sick, but remind them that following safety steps like hand washing , wearing cloth face coverings, and staying home more than will assist your family stay healthy.

• Recognize your child'southward feelings. Calmly say, for case, "I tin see that y'all are upset considering you tin can't have a sleepover with your friends right at present." Guiding questions can help older children and teens work through bug. ("I know it is disappointing not to be able to do some of the things you did before the pandemic. What are some other means y'all can have fun with your friends?")

• Keep in touch with loved ones. Children may also worry about a grandparent who is living alone or a relative or friend with an increased risk of getting COVID-19. When safe, physically distanced visits aren't possible, video chats can help ease their anxiety.

• Model how to manage feelings. Talk through how you are managing your own feelings. ("I am worried nigh Grandma since I tin can't go visit her. I will put a reminder on my telephone to call her in the forenoon and the afternoon until it is safe to run into her.")

• Tell your child before y'all go out the house for piece of work or essential errands. In a at-home and reassuring vocalisation, tell them where you are going, how long you lot will be gone, when you will render, and that you are taking steps to stay safe.

• Look forward. Tell them that scientists are working hard to figure out how to help people who get sick, how to forestall it, and that things volition go better.

• Offer extra hugs and say "I love you" more often.

Go on healthy routines

During the pandemic, information technology is more than important than ever to maintain bedtime and other routines. They create a sense of order to the mean solar day that offers reassurance in a very uncertain time. All children, including teens, benefit from routines that are predictable however flexible enough to come across individual needs.

• Construction the twenty-four hours. With the usual routines thrown off, establish new daily schedules. Intermission up schoolwork when possible. Older children and teens can assistance with schedules, but they should follow a full general order, such as:

• wake-up routines, getting dressed, breakfast and some active play in the morning, followed by repose play and snack to transition into schoolwork.

• lunch, chores, practise, some online social fourth dimension with friends, and then homework in the afternoon.

• family unit fourth dimension & reading​ earlier bed.

​A give-and-take almost bedtimes​ Children frequently take more trouble with bedtime during whatever stressful menstruum. Try to proceed normal nighttime routines such as Book, Brush, Bed for younger children. Put a family picture by their bed for "ex​​tra love" until morning. Bedtimes can shift some for older children and teens, simply information technology is a good idea to go along it in a reasonable range and so the sleep-wake cycle isn't thrown off. Too little slumber makes it more challenging to learn and to deal with emotions. Remember to turn off prison cell phones and other mobile devices an hour before bedtime.​

Use positive discipline

Everyone is more broken-hearted and worried during the pandemic. Younger children may not take the words to describe their feelings. They're more than likely to act out their stress, feet or fear through their beliefs (which tin can, in turn, upset parents, particularly if they are already stressed). Older children and teens may be extra irritable as they miss out on normal events they looked forward to and activities they enjoy with their friends.

Some ways you tin can help your children manage their emotions and behavior:

• Redirect bad behavior. Sometimes children misbehave because they are bored or don't know any meliorate. Observe something else for them to practice.

• Artistic play. Suggest your children depict pictures of ways your family unit is staying safe. Make a collage and hang it upwardly to remind everyone. Or, build an indoor fort or castle to keep the germs at bay, bringing in favorite blimp animals or toys.

• Straight your attention. Attention--to reinforce good behaviors and discourage others--is a powerful tool. Notice good behavior and point it out, praising success and good tries. Explaining clear expectations, particularly with older children, can aid with this.

• Use rewards & privileges to reinforce good behaviors (completing school assignments, chores, getting forth with siblings, etc.) that wouldn't normally be given during less stressful times.

• Know when not to reply. As long as your child isn't doing something dangerous and gets attention for good beliefs, ignoring bad behavior can exist an constructive way of stopping it.

• Utilise time-outs. This discipline tool works all-time by warning children they will get a time-out if they don't stop. Remind them what they did wrong in as few words―and with as little emotion―as possible. So, remove them from the situation for a pre-fix length of fourth dimension (1 minute per twelvemonth of historic period is a adept guide).

​Special Fourth dimension In Even with everyone home together 24/7, set bated some special fourth dimension with each child. Ideas tin can include cooking or reading​ together, for example, or playing a favorite game. You choo​se the time, and let your kid choose the activity. Just 10 or 20 minutes of your undivided attention, even if just once every few days, will mean a lot to your child. Keep cell phones off or on silent so yous don't get distracted.​

• Avoid concrete penalization. Spanking, hit, and other forms of physical or "corporal" punishment risks injury and isn't effective. Physical punishment can increase aggression in children over time, fails to teach them to behave or do cocky-control, and can fifty-fifty interfere with normal brain development. Corporal penalty may take abroad a child's sense of safety and security at habitation, which are especially needed now.

The AAP reminds parents and caregivers never to shake or jerk a child, which could cause permanent injuries and disabilities and even result in death. Tips for calming a​ fussy baby and communication for caregivers who have reached a breaking point can be plant here . If y'all have a friend, relative, or neighbor with the new baby at home , think of ways y'all tin accomplish out to provide support during the isolation menstruation.​

• Accept care of yourself. Caregivers besides should be sure to take care of themselves physically: eat healthy, exercise and get plenty slumber. Find means to decompress and take breaks. If more than 1 parent is home, take turns watching the children if possible.

• Take a breath. In addition to reaching out to others for assistance, the AAP recommends parents feeling overwhelmed or specially stressed try to take only a few seconds to enquire themselves:

• Does the problem stand for an firsthand danger?

• How volition I feel near this problem tomorrow?

• Is this situation permanent?

In many cases, the answers will debunk the panic and the impulse to lash out physically or verbally at children.​

Remember

Reach out to your pediatrician with any concerns you take virtually your child's behavioral or emotional well-being and managing your family unit's stress.

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​More information

• Tips for Coping with a New Baby During COVID-19​
  

• How to Assistance Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times​​
  

• Building Resilience
  

• Mood Boosting Tips for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic​
  

• Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Child or Teen May Need More Support​
  

• What'due south the Best Manner to Subject My Child?
  

• Feeling Overwhelmed with Parenting Demands?​
  

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Last Updated

10/23/2020

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2020)

The information contained on this Web site should not exist used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Parenting-in-a-Pandemic.aspx

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