So here we are, wondering how to prepare kids to return to school during COVID-19. First, be gentle with yourself. Any discomfort, anger, worry, fear or frustration, you are feeling is an appropriate human reaction to what is happening. It is only when you validate yourself you can clear your mind to gain a new grounded perspective.
The school year is a hot topic that has caused great debate and division on every online platform. This passion is incised because we care so deeply about our children’s mental and physical wellbeing. No matter what the decision your family or your school district makes for back-to-school, you’ll also need to focus your attention on your child’s emotional resilience. I can help with!
Here are 5 ways to prepare kids to return to school during COVID-19
Build your resilience
My local schools have finally presented their back-to-school plans and options to families this week. For my daughter, there are two days a week of in-school learning and three days of distance learning. Around the country, many districts have already uncovered plans for distance learning, choices, and hybrid models of schooling next year.
Many families around the country have decided to homeschool if their district doesn’t offer options for full-time distance learning. Some working parents have decided to create “homeschool pods” so that they don’t each have to create all of the curricula.
With so many creative options it is hard-pressed to think of yourself as choice-less, yet that is exactly how many of us feel. We think of ourselves as at the mercy of someone else to make back-to-school decisions for us. (Like the school district or the government.) This leads to feeling frustrated and powerless which is the hallmark of anger, anxiety, and panic.
Whatever they decide, it is up to you as parents to choose what you want for your children. To improve your emotional resilience, remember: even if you don’t love all of them, you do have choices. And when you focus on what you can do, instead of feeling trapped and stuck in the trauma of anxiety, you are able to tap into more creativity, bringing forth additional choices you didn’t see before. You become an empowered problem-solver. You stop lamenting over who you cannot trust and start grounding in self-trust.
We need that emotional resiliency for us and our kids. See yourself as an empowered problem-solver. You’ll find your power to problem-solve within the limits we are all faced with right now, and show your kids their ability to do the same. My new book, Anxiety…I’m So Done with You, teaches teens how to build emotional resilience by being empowered problem solvers.
Help them be prepared
Many kids want to go back to school. They want to see their friends and have this whole COVID donzo. Kids are craving normalcy. But back-to-school Autumn 2020 is going to be unrecognizable. If you choose to send your kids to in-person school, learn what you can about the school’s precaution plans. Then, to prevent them from feeling shocked or overwhelmed, get them used to what to expect. Have them close their eyes and paint a picture of it.
Rather than make it sound scary, take them through a guided visualization featuring their calmness and skilled empowerment. Go over minor scenarios and problems-solve with them on how to handle them. This will give them confidence, emotional resilience, and mental readiness with a growth mindset.
Practice setting limits
Role-play social distancing. Since they have mostly been with their families, most kids haven’t embodied staying 6-feet apart. (Your kids, or other kids.) If it is not yet automatic, you’ll want to practice this.
Some kids are not kinesthetically aware and may need to be reminded frequently to physically distance. Help your kids find the words to ask for space when they are in these situations. Practice doing this until they feel more comfortable.
You may have hidden from your kids the severity of the pandemic, but you need to let them have enough awareness to change their behaviors. When they know there is something they can DO, they won’t feel stuck in anxiety. If your kids are experiencing anxiety, check out my program Helping Your Kids with Anxiety.
People feeling out of control can increase bullying. Just like every other year, make sure you speak to your kids about what to do if and when they are bullied: Get close to an adult, tell that adult, and tell you so you can decide the next steps together.
Encourage their comfort with masks
To help prepare kids to return to school during COVID-19, get your children used to and comfortable with masks by gradually increasing the time they are wearing them. Do different activities around the house with masks on so they get more and more familiar and comfortable with this new normal.
If they are struggling, they are in good company. I don’t know anyone who actually likes them! Try not to spend energy hating the mask. Focusing on your limits, can make kids feel anxious and troubled and will exhaust you all. Model adaptability! Let them see that we can do hard and uncomfortable things and still be safe. Watch my TEDxWilmington Talk. jodiaman.com/tedx
Practice good hygiene
One of the hardest things is that people touch their eyes, nose, and mouth constantly, present company included! And, now we need to train ourselves not to do that. For kids, especially if they have been home all this time, haven’t had to practice this yet. Try to come up with fun ways to learn not to touch one’s face. Set a timer and play a board game and see if people can practice spending longer and longer periods of time having enough awareness to stop touching their faces.
We have had quite a journey and we know that it is not ending anytime soon. Instead of holding your breath until it is over, it is time to find your flexibility and creativity within the limits.
Remember you’ve got this. You have done hard things before. You all can get through with robust emotional resilience by being empowered problem solvers.
What are you currently doing to help prepare kids to return to school during COVID-19? Do share your experiences or concerns in a comment below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jodi Aman, a psychotherapist for over 20 years, helps clients recover from every problem in the book. Through humour and warmth, her popular videos inspire thousands of people all over the world to give up their fear and live with vitality.
Having clawed her way out of her own anxiety and depression, Jodi shares her story of personal transformation and that of many of her clients in her best selling book, You 1, Anxiety 0- Win your life back from fear and panic. She’ll teach you how to change limiting beliefs, calm life’s chaos, create peace and master happiness in your life. Learn how to let go of what no longer serves you in 3 practical steps.
Find help at jodiaman.com. Learn healing at youtube.com/jodiaman. Feel loved on Facebook.com/jodiamanlove.
Picture credit: School photo created by shangarey – www.freepik.com
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