Positive Parenting Tips During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is upending family lives across the country. With school closures, having to work remotely, and physical distancing, it’s a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents and their children.
Adjusting to this new temporary normal can be overwhelming. Still, there are ways to make this easier for everyone in your family.
Here are some of the most pressing questions parents are facing these days, we hope our tips can make your managing daily life a little easier.
How Can I Explain to My Kids the Need to Wash Their Hands, and Not Touch Their Faces Without Scarring Them?
This is a question every parent has asked themselves in these last few months. Now, it’s ever-present on their minds as we look ahead to children potentially going back to school
Good hygiene is something every parent should instill in their kids from an early age. You probably reminded your kids to wash their hands frequently even before this health crisis. Regular handwashing has been the past mantra of parents, especially during flu season.
So most likely, your kids have heard how important having clean hands is to stay healthy, and this is no different. Explain to them how washing their hands well often helps them remain strong and healthy. Also, mention how they can be heroes and prevent the virus from spreading. In order to prevent chaffing from excessive handwashing, we prevent the use of hand lotion right before bedtime. In the case of younger children, they will enjoy you rubbing their hands with lotion. In the case of older children, consider getting them a lotion that they will enjoy and encourage them to use it before bedtime as well.
How do I explain why we need to stay at home maybe even for longer than we first expected?
Your kids are well aware of the COVID-19 pandemic. How they first became informed could be from a variety of sources either directly or indirectly such as from the school web conferences, the news, their friends, the internet, social media, their parents, or from hearing the adults talk. Regardless of how they were first informed about the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s vital for parents to clarify and guide them through these challenging times. Find out how much they know, and work from there.
The most important thing is to make your kids feel safe, so explain there is a bug going around that can make people sick, but that by staying home, and following proper safety and hygiene rules we can all be safe from it.
Don’t offer more detail than you need to. If your kids ask about school closings and when they could possibly reopen, address their questions, however, if the topic doesn’t come up, there’s no need for you to bring it up.
What Can I Do if My Child Asks Me A Question, and I Don’t Know the Answer?
It’s ok to not have all the answers. In reality, nobody does.
When these situations arise, it’s an excellent opportunity to turn them into a fun learning experience for the whole family. Avoid doing random searches on the internet, so you don’t inadvertently expose your kids to scary facts, or false headlines. Instead, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for up-to-date, reliable information about COVID-19.
How do I keep my children from getting bored in a healthy way?
This is probably the most pressing matter for most parents. With schools suspended, our kids don’t have the same access to playgrounds, sports, and other activities that provide entertainment that they were used to having.
Bored or frustrated kids are more likely to act out. Don’t forget that having a little structure at home is good. Make sure you include chores and study time but don’t leave out the fun stuff.
Tips to Keep Your Kids Healthy Inside Out!
- Ask yourself what you want your kids to remember most after this crisis passes.
- Ask your children what they want to do. It could be something as simple as reading them a story, playing a board game, or learning how to play their favorite video game.
- Keep them active, it’s great for the heart & soul! Stay active with your kids by dancing, jumping jacks, jump rope, and hopscotch, or if you have space, try some sports with the family in the front or back yard.
- Try setting up a tent in the backyard and spend the night camping, telling stories and singing songs.
- Get creative! Have them do something creative every day. Try making homemade playdough, painting, drawing, music, and writing, or have them build something with odd things they find around the house.
- Enlist their help to get projects around the house done or take an afternoon to teach them how to bake their favorite cookies.
- They miss seeing and hearing their best friends. Set up video conferencing meetings with their friends so they can see each other.
- Give them extra love. Children of all ages will need extra reassurance that “all will be well”. Give them those extra hugs, smiles, and positive messages. Tell them how proud you are of them whenever possible.
While it’s true this is a scary time, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to create loving memories and teach your kids how to deal with stressful situations.
I Feel Overwhelmed, Depressed, and Anxious, What Can I Do?
Easy does it! Give yourself a break, you are doing the best you can. It’s ok to have all those feelings, you are not alone.
- Take time for yourself, time to read, or listen to music and just relax. Try to limit the amount of news you watch or read. When we receive too much information, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Only get your facts from trusted sources.
- Stay in close contact with friends and loved ones, video chat, or call to check on them often.
- If you are a person of faith, take a few minutes to pray or meditate to lower your stress levels.
These are unusual and trying times for us all. Still, we are a resilient community, and together we will overcome this health crisis.
Now More Than Ever: Take Good Care of Your Health!
At Prestige ER, we respect each and every healthcare worker for their courage and unbreakable spirits in the fight against COVID-19. However, during these times, many have been avoiding getting medical care for fear of exposing themselves to possible contamination in a crowded hospital.
Remember that you have options! At Prestige ER, we are safe and open 24/7 including holidays. We follow all health and safety guidelines established by local and federal agencies. You will be greeted by the front desk as soon as you walk in and you not be in contact with any other patient. All staff uses PPE in order to safeguard themselves and their patients. We offer free medical screening, private rooms, and specialized ER-trained physicians, nurses, and radiologic techs.
We are currently offering testing for COVID-19 and due to the pandemic accepting Medicare. Update: Now that the PHE is over, we are no longer able to accept Medicare.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, do not risk your or their life! Come to the Safe, Fast ER in Plano, Texas Open 24/7/360 days of the year.
Prestige ER is here every step of the way, and our doors remain open every day, if you have symptoms related to COVID-19 don’t hesitate to Contact Us. You can use our Online Check-in or give us a Call.
