No matter how your child’s school has decided to proceed with the school year, there are some ways you can support your children.
- Understand their frustration. Your children most likely haven’t been able to see friends as much as they’re used to. They have also had to miss out on many activities throughout the last two school years. These changes can be difficult and frustrating for children of all ages! Here are some ideas on how to be understanding:
- Sympathize with your children.
- Validate their feelings of frustration and disappointment.
- Brainstorm ways to make the situation work, such as allowing more time on social media to communicate with friends.
- Support remote learning. Chances are, your children have done some online learning this year. Knowing how to help your children can be challenging. Although online learning may make you feel overwhelmed, stay positive. If you drag your feet of complain about online leanring, chances are your children will as well. Having some stort of routine will help ease anxiety and stress. Here are a few general tips to help:
- Create a realistic schedule.
- Set time aside for socializing and exercising.
- Try a “work period,” then a “relax period,” and repeat during the day.
- Encourage healthy habits. Even though school and activities may be different, try to keep your children on a consistent sleep schedule. Provide healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, and ensure they have time to exercise. Help them practice mindfulness, which is when they let themselves be okay wit hthe emotions they’re feeling and then allowing themselves to move on.
This blog was written by Hope Squad. Hope Squad student members are trained to be aware of their peers and watch for warning signs. They learn to show empathy to their peers, listen without judgment, and reduce stigma regarding help-seeking and mental illness. Hope Squads are now in over 1,200 schools across 35 states and Canada. During the seventeen years since Timpview High School started a Hope Squad, the school has not lost a student to suicide. And as Hope Squad grows, we will continue to spread hope and save more lives. Learn more by visiting https://hopesquad.com/.
