I was listening to a talk with Gordon Neufeld on ‘Parenting in a Pandemic’ recently and I was reminded that the adults in a child’s life need to be their port in a storm. In times of trouble the child needs to feel like they can go to someone and have their needs met. Children feel safe and secure knowing that they will be cared for, even though life may be changing around them. We all benefit from having the confidence that we can handle what life throws at us. So this may mean we have to cry in the closet, but put on a brave face in front of the children. You may need to get to the closet (laundry room, washroom, under the blankets etc) to shed your tears, or just have a quiet moment to allow your feelings to flow. It is okay to show feelings, as long as our feelings don’t push children away. I know from personal experience that if I don’t have space to work through my feelings, I can quickly shift to tuning my own children out. For example, they may be talking to me but I won’t have a clue what they said. I know that checking our cell phones is a very common way to ‘tune out’. Children know when we aren’t present with them. It is okay to want and need a break, but it may take a bit of planning. The best time to make space for yourself is after giving love and quality time to your child. It is helpful to set up some playful activities for children so you can take a break! Here are some ideas for more quiet play.

Cloud Dough https://www.powerfulmothering.com/how-to-make-cloud-dough-recipe/

Fluffy Slime https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/fluffy-slime-recipe/

Quiet Time for Toddlers https://www.howweelearn.com/quiet-time-activites-2-year-olds/