Preparing for the COVID School Year
There is so much anxiety these days - not just about school but the state of the ENTIRE WORLD. No number of tips will “fix” this as remote learning is not ideal for most families. Some students will be able to adapt easily and work independently, while others will struggle. We are all hoping to raise RESILIENT kids and our current situation is a great opportunity to do just that!
Our 7 staff members share their helpful tips and tools on how to prepare yourself and your child for the upcoming COVID school year. We hope this brings you encouragement and inspires some ideas that will work for your unique family dynamic:
1. GRACE
- All staff members said this:
Try to extend grace not just toward your kids, but toward their teachers and yourself as well. There is no textbook for anything we are facing right now. Focus on what’s important and let the rest pass. Flexibility and patience are key! This season will pass.
2. ATTITUDE
- Rachel (Director of Administration):
Be aware of your audience and keep your negative feelings about virtual learning or hybrid learning (whatever the case may be) out of ears-shot of your kids. If YOU embrace the new normal, they will too. Be thoughtful as to what your kids are hearing and observing (FROM YOU AND THE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA). The environment at home will reflect how they adjust to all these changes and the more positive we can be as parents, the stronger the chance will be of helping them avoid anxiety, panic attacks and depression that so many are struggling with.
1. GRACE
- All staff members said this:
Try to extend grace not just toward your kids, but toward their teachers and yourself as well. There is no textbook for anything we are facing right now. Focus on what’s important and let the rest pass. Flexibility and patience are key! This season will pass.
2. ATTITUDE
- Rachel (Director of Administration):
Be aware of your audience and keep your negative feelings about virtual learning or hybrid learning (whatever the case may be) out of ears-shot of your kids. If YOU embrace the new normal, they will too. Be thoughtful as to what your kids are hearing and observing (FROM YOU AND THE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA). The environment at home will reflect how they adjust to all these changes and the more positive we can be as parents, the stronger the chance will be of helping them avoid anxiety, panic attacks and depression that so many are struggling with.
3. SCHEDULE
- Elisha (Administrative Support):
Think about keeping a schedule where specific activities occur in consistent time blocks: dinner time, play time, school time, etc. Try to keep a daily routine (and lead by example) which includes getting dressed, brushing teeth and eating breakfast just like you would going to "normal" school/work. Parents working remotely should aim to keep “office hours” as best they can. Although it’s tempting to work late into the evenings, make the effort to “clock-out” for the day and spend some down-time as a family.
4. SPACE
- Ari (Director of Development):
Try to provide everyone with their own personal work space and enforce these boundaries. This will help bring order and mental separation between school/work and down-time, and it will also help minimize tensions and bickering. Another important tip is to make sure that basic rules of cleanliness and tidiness are enforced for everyone's sanity!
5. STRESS
- Ari (Director of Development):
Many parents have moved their offices to their homes and this concept is new to many children. What kid wants to be at their parents' office all day? Some kids are not used to the faster pace and extra stimuli that comes with a workday, and it could add an extra layer of chaos to their home life. If possible, take a snack-break, lunch-break or walk around the block together to connect a few times throughout the day.
6. ENCOURAGEMENT
- Julie (Director of Programs):
It’s really hard for an adult to listen to an hour-long lecture on a computer…all the more so for our kids! Let your kids know you understand that everything is new and comes with some challenges - but you are in their court. Each child is different…some do not need any guidance at all, some need accountability, and some need support. This is an opportunity to build independence and confidence. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way! Even if it doesn’t come natural to you – even if you have to set a timer to intentionally look for ANYTHING good that your child is doing, let them know you notice and you’re proud of them.
Let your kids know that any feelings of fear, sadness, anxiety, frustration... are perfectly normal, and that this will NOT last forever.
- Elisha (Administrative Support):
Think about keeping a schedule where specific activities occur in consistent time blocks: dinner time, play time, school time, etc. Try to keep a daily routine (and lead by example) which includes getting dressed, brushing teeth and eating breakfast just like you would going to "normal" school/work. Parents working remotely should aim to keep “office hours” as best they can. Although it’s tempting to work late into the evenings, make the effort to “clock-out” for the day and spend some down-time as a family.
4. SPACE
- Ari (Director of Development):
Try to provide everyone with their own personal work space and enforce these boundaries. This will help bring order and mental separation between school/work and down-time, and it will also help minimize tensions and bickering. Another important tip is to make sure that basic rules of cleanliness and tidiness are enforced for everyone's sanity!
5. STRESS
- Ari (Director of Development):
Many parents have moved their offices to their homes and this concept is new to many children. What kid wants to be at their parents' office all day? Some kids are not used to the faster pace and extra stimuli that comes with a workday, and it could add an extra layer of chaos to their home life. If possible, take a snack-break, lunch-break or walk around the block together to connect a few times throughout the day.
6. ENCOURAGEMENT
- Julie (Director of Programs):
It’s really hard for an adult to listen to an hour-long lecture on a computer…all the more so for our kids! Let your kids know you understand that everything is new and comes with some challenges - but you are in their court. Each child is different…some do not need any guidance at all, some need accountability, and some need support. This is an opportunity to build independence and confidence. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way! Even if it doesn’t come natural to you – even if you have to set a timer to intentionally look for ANYTHING good that your child is doing, let them know you notice and you’re proud of them.
Let your kids know that any feelings of fear, sadness, anxiety, frustration... are perfectly normal, and that this will NOT last forever.
7. CHECK-INS
- Ari (Director of Development):
Try to make it a priority to check in emotionally with each child every day. Maybe have a special weekday devoted to them. We call them "Lovey Days" in our home, and we get coffee, write special notes, take a one-on-one walk, etc.
Check their "zombie status" because of all the screen use. Our kids are using screens now more than ever and we have to be aware and engaged to make sure they're consuming quality content.
8. TAKE BREAKS
- Wendy (Director of Speakers):
They have recess at school, let them and you have a break at home. ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE ONES! Stretch often and encourage physical activity as much as possible.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes of screen, look away for 20 seconds, 20 feet away.
9. LISTEN
- Linda (Executive Director):
It's more important than ever to listen to our kids. Listen to the “heartbeat” of what is really going on with them. If they know they can talk to you without judgement, and that you will validate what they are struggling with, it will help them want to come to you as they are trying to process their frustrations. Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying, it’s OK to just reflect back what they are feeling without trying to offer a solution. Let them vent, validate what they are saying and ask them what they think they could do to make the situation better. This is a great way for them to develop their own problem solving skills.
10. MARRIAGE/PARTNER TIP
- Kris (Community Manager):
Hug your spouse/partner at least once a day. Hold hands. Tell them you love them. Do it even if you don’t feel like it, because love is not a feeling. It's a decision to care for one another even when you disagree, even if tensions are high, for better or for worse, and even during a pandemic. 😊
- Ari (Director of Development):
Try to make it a priority to check in emotionally with each child every day. Maybe have a special weekday devoted to them. We call them "Lovey Days" in our home, and we get coffee, write special notes, take a one-on-one walk, etc.
Check their "zombie status" because of all the screen use. Our kids are using screens now more than ever and we have to be aware and engaged to make sure they're consuming quality content.
8. TAKE BREAKS
- Wendy (Director of Speakers):
They have recess at school, let them and you have a break at home. ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE ONES! Stretch often and encourage physical activity as much as possible.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes of screen, look away for 20 seconds, 20 feet away.
9. LISTEN
- Linda (Executive Director):
It's more important than ever to listen to our kids. Listen to the “heartbeat” of what is really going on with them. If they know they can talk to you without judgement, and that you will validate what they are struggling with, it will help them want to come to you as they are trying to process their frustrations. Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying, it’s OK to just reflect back what they are feeling without trying to offer a solution. Let them vent, validate what they are saying and ask them what they think they could do to make the situation better. This is a great way for them to develop their own problem solving skills.
10. MARRIAGE/PARTNER TIP
- Kris (Community Manager):
Hug your spouse/partner at least once a day. Hold hands. Tell them you love them. Do it even if you don’t feel like it, because love is not a feeling. It's a decision to care for one another even when you disagree, even if tensions are high, for better or for worse, and even during a pandemic. 😊
