Advice for students and families as well as contacts for counselling services and a few other helpful resources.
6 Tips for Parents During COVID 19
Get structured:
COVID-19 has upset our daily work, home and school routines. This is hard for children, teenagers and parents. Making new routines can help. Create a flexible but consistent daily routine.
Keeping it positive:
It‘s hard to feel positive when your children or teenagers are driving us crazy. We often end up saying “Stop doing that!”. But children are much more likely to do what we ask if we give them positive instructions and lots of praise for what they do right. Say the behaviour you want to see and praise your child when they are behaving well.
One-on-one time:
Distance learning is a chance to make better relationships with our children and teenagers. One-on-One time is free and fun. It makes children feel loved and secure and shows them that they are important. Talk openly to your children about their worries about COVID at a developmentally appropriate level.
Good choices:
All children misbehave. It is normal when children are tired, hungry, afraid, or learning independence. And they can drive us crazy when stuck at home. Redirect unwanted behaviour early and change your child’s attention from a poor to a good choice. Take a pause. Give yourself and your child or teen a 10-second pause. Breathe in and out slowly five times. Use consequences to help teach your children responsibility. Think about the message you want your child to receive.
Ask for help:
Sometimes we can feel that we are alone- but we are not – we are all in this together so reach out to a relative, friend, teacher or doctor if you need some more support for you or your children.
Keep calm:
This is a stressful time. Take care of yourself, so you can support your children. Listen to your child or teen, give support and reassurance. when your child or teen shares how they are feeling accept what they are telling you and give them comfort. Practice mindfulness by going on a looking walk (or complete the JSRACS Facebook Daily Challenge of a scavenger hunt) or eat something delicious making sure you use all of your senses.
Below are some useful contact details and websites that may help you navigate our current situation:
You can find contact details for Counselling Services HERE.
Any young person who feels anxious specifically about the COVID-19 developments can access support and information from HeadSpace HERE.
Email: [email protected]