The last 12 months have certainly been a challenge and we all deserve a huge pat on the back for coming so far, but it seems we’re not quite out of the woods yet, as we’re now back in our third national lockdown… which means that parents are having to homeschool their children once again, which is no doubt putting even more pressure on daily life.
It’s another adjustment to have to make so soon after the festive period so if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about the next few weeks and months, it’s important to do all you can now to ensure that you are feeling strong, mentally, physically and emotionally.
Having a few mantras and little reminders to fall back on can really help you make it through each day, no matter what happens.
Tell yourself that you’re not homeschooling your children - you are helping them learn at home during a pandemic. You’re not your child’s teacher and you won’t be able to recreate a school experience… all you can do is help your children do their best with distance learning.
And stop giving yourself a hard time if you aren’t as productive in other areas of your life as you might normally be - we’re living in extraordinary times and focusing on the near future is wise. Looking too far ahead and thinking about what you’re unable to do and achieve is likely to have a negative impact on your emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
Devising a schedule and sticking to it is a very effective way of helping keep your kids calm, giving them structure and routine. And it will really help you, as well, so you know what’s coming up and what needs to be done.
However, it would be wise to adopt a flexible approach to scheduling so you can see what works and what doesn’t, and make changes as appropriate.
And don’t forget that you’re certainly not alone. There are countless other parents out there going through exactly what you are right now, so why not reach out to online forums or form a group on social media so you can help each other and take advantage of each other’s knowledge and support.
Practicing mindfulness is another really great strategy if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed - and it works wonders for both adults and children alike. You could even factor in some mindfulness exercises into each school day as part of breaktime, perhaps.
Mindfulness is all about anchoring yourself in the present moment, really tuning in to what’s around you through breathing exercises.
Interestingly, many schools have now started offering mindfulness and meditation to children instead of detention, with many having incredibly positive results where child behaviour is concerned… so this could be a great way of relaxing and calming your child, and helping them learn better coping mechanisms when dealing with complex thoughts and emotions.
To find out more about online mindfulness therapy, get in touch with us today.