As you gear up for yet another ‘return to school’ during unprecedented times I have a few helpful reminders for us all.
We have done this before and with great success. We will do it again. Rest in the fact that the Leadership Team and teachers at our school have put many hours into reorganizing and creating the safest school environment they can. Having said that, I can appreciate your concern for your children because while we care deeply for all the students in our school – no one loves them like you do.
As you speak with your children about school on Monday it is important to remember that they are watching you carefully. If you yourself are worried, it is time to do your best Academy Award winning performance. Children pick up on our stress and it makes them anxious. Fear is an emotion that is difficult to hide but managing your own worries will help to put your children at ease.
Reassure your children that they are going to be okay. They need to hear from you that they are safe. Some things to help support this might be turning the radio and television news off. The constant barrage of statistics, cases and fear is not going to help your children – or any of us for that matter. Rather, focus on all the fun things they will get to do at school and how much fun they will have with their friends.
Giving your child a chance to tell you what they are worried about is super important. During this conversation, try to be patient as they put into their own words what they are afraid of. You might be surprised what concerns they have. Be careful to validate these feelings so that they will continue to talk to you about it. However, if it is an irrational fear be sure to clear up their misconception – reassuring them that they are going to be safe.
Another helpful idea is to model for your children the things that are going to be asked of them in school. For example, draw attention to the fact that you have to wash your hands, or practice safe distancing when meeting parents on the playground. Kids watch us so much more than we know. If they see or hear that you are doing these things they will be more likely to follow and these routines will become habits.
Remember, we have done this before! We will get through this. Please contact me if there is anything I can do to support you and your family. It would be my pleasure to come alongside you.
Take good care.