SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mt. Vernon issued the following announcement on Sept. 11.
As a new academic year approaches, the tough decisions many parents, grandparents and other caregivers are having to make have taken center stage. Should they pursue in-person schooling, distance learning or a hybrid? Who will care for their child while parents work? What’s best for their child’s safety? What’s best for their child’s development?
All this comes on top of worries already running high about the pandemic itself. What happens if the child gets sick? Further, what if the child contracts COVID-19 and transmits it to a grandparent, immune-comprised individual or other high-risk family member?
Many children are feeling similar stressors – what they may lack in terms of responsibility in decision making, they may make up for in anxiety toward the unknown and a lack of control over their ever-changing environments.
“Routine, socialization and meeting a number of developmental milestones are known to be very important for kids of all ages,” said Dr. Brent Bell, psychiatrist, SSM Health Behavioral Health. “Many parents and grandparents are currently balancing protecting their children from COVID-19 and providing for their families, and these pressures are a recipe for stress and anxiety for the whole family.”
Last spring, the fast-moving outbreak of COVID-19 necessitated quick decisions, reacting to new information that was unfolding by the hour. With a few months of pandemic experience under our belts, Dr. Bell suggests the start of a new school year – whether in-person or virtual – is an opportunity to step back, reset and encourage the whole family to start a new academic year with intentionality and a positive outlook.
“There’s no perfect solution and, in many ways, the unknown is one of the biggest challenges,” Dr. Bell said. “However, there are some techniques we can use to center ourselves, and we can use these as goals and reminders for when we feel anxiety creeping in.”
Check your attitude. Try to exhibit positivity when possible. Caregiver attitudes toward most any subject can influence a child’s perception of that topic. For instance, if your child sees you are frustrated when wearing a mask to the grocery store, they may exhibit a similar attitude toward the mask they are required to wear every day at school.
Stick to routines, even if they’re new ones. Children seek out patterns and routines, and a typical school day provides a very structured environment. Even if your whole family is working and learning from home, set schedules for deskwork, chores, physical activity and free time. Kids tend to be less anxious when they know what to expect.
Don’t forget about socialization. Even for children studying remotely, interacting with others is an important part of childhood development. Set up Zoom calls and Facetime chats with other kids (just be sure to monitor for Internet safety!).
Give space and offer grace. Cabin fever is real for adults and children alike. Make sure to offer both physical and emotional space to children and adolescents to let them work through some anxiety on their own.
Nurture an open environment. Create an accepting atmosphere where children can share feelings and deal with stress. In addition to sensing support from family members, meditation and breathing exercises can be helpful for people of all ages to counter stress.
Original source can be found here.
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