Covid Awareness

PARENTING DURING A PANDEMIC- WAYS TO KEEP CALM AT HOME

Isolation, uncertainty, being holed up at home as the virus spreads can make it tough for families to maintain their sense of calm. Especially for parents, you must make your child feel safe, draw some routines, manage their emotions, and build resilience. Nurturing a child requires care, time, and patience. Though on the surface, it may seem easy, in the core level, it has many ups and downs that a parent has to deal with; and during the pandemic where your child is at home most of their time, they require more of your attention and care. You might come across situations where you may be clueless, and that is perfectly normal, given the current situation. The positive side of this is that there are ways to deal with it and yes, you can fulfil your role of being a good parent.

1. Communicate with your children

We need to understand is that it is not only your child or you who are going through a tough time, but it is both of you simultaneously. You might have stressors and your responsibilities; on the other hand, the child might be finding it difficult to stay at home, be occupied, or attending online school. As you can understand their shortcomings, in the same way when you are disturbed, they can understand it through your non-verbal expressions. They might have unresolved doubts in their mind, and it is a normal tendency that your child might not open up to you. In such situations, you need to communicate to clarify any confusion. You can ask open- ended questions like “Do you feel lonely? “or “Do you feel that mamma/papa is not giving you enough time”; Such a communicating style can make them think of the situation well and introspect. Also, you can have a healthy understanding of your relationship with them.

2. Help them adapt to online learning

Your child might come to you with issues where they have difficulty with focusing on the online patterns of the school curriculum. The main problem arises when the personal space, i.e., home, is to be used as a formal workplace. Every child was used to attending school in a space where there are benches, desks, blackboards, etc., but now the home with beds, sofas, TV, and mobile is a classroom. Mental preparation is a must in such situations. Before the pandemic, children used to check their timetables, pack their bags, and wear their uniforms to go to school; they developed their readiness in the morning. During this pandemic time as well, you can adopt a few schools- related activities at home, like- you can make your child wear a uniform once in a while, allow them to prepare their timetable, give them breakfast in their school tiffin, set an alarm that mimics the school bell, and what not! Such small things excite them to attend classes.

3. Learn from your kids as a way to relate to them.

When your child is putting effort to study, they require relaxation; the children can relax their minds and body by playing, listening to music- which all takes place via the mobile phone. During the pandemic, the usage of mobiles has increased drastically. You can choose to learn a game from them. Children love to teach their hobbies to others; they feel the importance that you offer to them. To bridge the generational gap and cope with their frustrations or boredom, you can plan to see a movie of their choice with them. While watching, you can talk to them by relating them with the characters of the film. Through such activities, you can

see an overall change in the child’s behavior and approach, and you would feel the healthy bond that your child establishes with you.

4. Spend time with your kids.

While you are trying to do all this, it may happen that you, as a working parent, might not find enough time for your child on your daily basis, but all you need is to set goals that give importance to both personal and work life. You can tell them that you want to spend quality time with them, you can come up with some fun-filled activities for them and you- keeping in mind the pandemic protocols. It would not only help your child but also make you feel relaxed.