Hello everyone,<\/p>\n
As many of you are aware schools will be reopening to students on a voluntary and part-time basis on June 1st. With the announcement comes many questions about what this might look like.\u00a0 This potential change has also probably brought a variety of different feelings to both children and parents. Feelings like anxiety, sadness, fear and excitement are natural and normal. I am including here some thoughts you might find helpful as you navigate these changes.<\/p>\n
Bring awareness to your own worries and fears.<\/p>\n
Change your own unhelpful thoughts to more helpful thoughts so that you can feel more confident about everything going well.<\/p>\n
Our kids pick up on our energy so we need to calm ourselves first and foremost.<\/p>\n
\u2026and remember \u201cFeelings First, Logics Last\u201d.\u00a0 We want to listen to their feelings and validate them, not fix them.<\/p>\n
Just listen and validate\u2026\u00a0 \u201cIt sounds as though you\u2019re feeling ______, _______ and _______.\u00a0 Can you tell me more about each of these feelings\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Continue to let them know that their feelings are valid and you can understand that they\u2019re feeling this way.<\/p>\n
When they\u2019re ready, remind them that it helps to look at the \u201cevidence\u201d so our negative thoughts don\u2019t get carried away on us.<\/p>\n
Go over the safety measures that are being put in place.<\/p>\n
Go over the changes that will be very different. Schools can help in this regard and will be sending things that might be helpful.<\/p>\n
(As parents can we expect some sadness too, especially once our kids go to school and realize how much has changed and how many restrictions are still necessary.)<\/p>\n