One day in early March 2020, the restaurant where I was employed was shut down due to Covid. Sunday I was working, Monday, not. I didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye to my coworkers whom I genuinely enjoyed and was close to. We scrambled to make a Facebook group for us to stay connected. We had some zoom chats together. We texted and checked in on each other. It was a really hard adjustment for me to suddenly be ripped away from my friends, but I worked through it. I am a grown adult and have coping skills. It sucked though. I still miss hugging people i'm not related to.
A few days before the restaurants were shut down, schools were shut down. My kids went to school one day, and they next day they unexpectedly didn't. And honestly? I had no concrete information to tell them. Only that there was a dangerous virus and we needed to stay home to be safe. And we had no idea how long it would be. I had no way of contacting some of my kid's best school friends because they hadn't shared a class contact list with the parents. We also didn't see anyone for months, which is very weird because we are very social people. Essentially, my kids were taken away from their teachers that they loved, their friends, and the routine of life they were accustomed to. Then distance learning started which was also completely new for them. Distance learning was frustrating and annoying even though the teachers really did the best they could with the time they were given to sort it out. It seemed like everyone was freaking out about the kids "falling behind", and the kids were having a hard time. Their whole world was turned upside down. (Go ahead, sing Hamilton right here. I know I am) Everything was different and weird and scary. My kids weren't sleeping well (seems like this was/is a common thing). They were acting out. They also were troopers trying to adapt and roll with whatever happened. They really were doing their best. And now its September. And no matter what choice you made for school, it's not the same as it was last year. Schooling is going to be new and and adjustment and hard for the kids. Our kids have been though hell this year, I'm not going to sugar coat it. I mean, we all have, but kids don't have the same coping skills and emotional intelligence that adults do. So it comes to this: what are you going to do to help your kids? It's not the school's job, society's job, or anyone else's job to help your kids get through this in a healthy way. It's the parents job. Only you can do this. Where do you start though? I encourage you to research Social Emotional Learning. Kids learn how to communicate emotions, become resilient, learn self control, increase self esteem and learn to understand themselves and those around them. There are workbooks, games, journals and such to help your child. There is so much to choose from. I have actually incorporated it into our home school curriculum this year because I think its so critical right now. Caleb has 3 different activities he will be doing. Amelie will be doing one. Here are some resources I have found. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but its at least what we are using to help our kids. Centervention This website is great for all ages. You can subscribe and get an interactive game to play, or just use the huge amount of free options they have. Amelie (5) and Caleb (8) will start by doing the journal, and then maybe moving into the online game. Not sure yet. But lots of cool stuff in this site. Between Mom and Me Keepsake Journal This one is for Caleb and I to bond. Keep him talking and communicating and building trust between us. The kid needs stability so I'm here for it. The Big Life Journal From the website: "This *NEW* Big Life Journal - Daily Edition is a science-based journal that helps children grow resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy. The daily activities inside the journal help your child focus on encouraging, self-loving thoughts and wire their brain for growth mindset, resilience, confidence, gratitude, kindness, and self-love. " This will be Caleb's daily focus for his social emotional learning. I encourage you to meet your child where they are and try to help them. I know we are all burnt out on decision making, change, stress and pivoting. If you are feeling this way, imagine how your child feels. Frequently kids don't have the ability to even voice what going on with them emotionally. Help give them the words. Support them through this. If we prioritize our kids mental and emotional health right now, they can get through this even stronger than before. I hope some of this helps!
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AuthorI'm so tired. The children are so not tired. |