For parents, families, and adult individuals
Experts are suggesting that parents should be cautious about exposing young children to overwhelming COVID-19 information and images. Young children should not watch television and news reports about COVID-19 deaths, numbers, hospital scenes, etc. Such daily and hourly reports are frightening especially to younger children because they cannot fully make sense of what is happening, nor can they recognize new reports from repeated reports. It is recommended that parents ONLY watch such news updates when children are not in the room and are not likely to wander in. Parents should also be cautious about talking to friends and family about COVID-19 details when children can overhear these conversations. Children look to their adults to protect them from emotionally overwhelming content. Parents, too, are reminded to limit their exposure to distressing COVID-19 information repeatedly throughout their day, since these reports can contribute to adults feeling stressed, anxious and depressed.
The Coronavirus book is a sweetly illustrated book that can support parents in how to explain what the Coronavirus means. The visuals are thoughtful and bring brightness to a challenging topic to explain.
Download now: “Emotional Resilience Building for Kids 8+” (PDF)
-by Adam J. Kurtz
PBS is a family friendly link that you can access at any time to get updated thoughts or support as you and your family learn to manage through this Pandemic:
How to Tak to Your Kids About Coronavirus
How You and Your Kids Can De-Stress During Coronavirus
“Confident Parents Thriving Kids”
Confident Parents: Thriving Kids has two program streams to help parents support their children aged 3-12 to manage either anxiety or behaviour challenges. Services are by phone and are free to all residents of British Columbia. Find out more, here.
The following link is from the Triple P Parenting Program offering a tip sheet for parents as they navigate this time with their children.
Download now: Top Parenting Tips (PDF)
For adult individuals
“When we see a friend (or even a stranger) in crisis or pain, most of us are pretty good at extending our compassion. But when we’re having a hard time in our own lives, too often we neglect to give that same kindness to ourselves.
What are we missing in these moments? Self-compassion.
This often-overlooked skill turns out to have some really surprising benefits. It makes us less anxious, depressed, and self-critical—and more confident, productive, supportive of others, and even physically healthier. And the best part? We all have the capacity to learn how to access this life-changing inner ally.”
Access a free three-video series by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer here. They have been researching self-compassion: what it is, how it transforms our lives, and how to build it for over a decade.
As you think about self-care keep in mind that if you are feeling more stress when trying to achieve or do and activity that is meant for self-care then it might not actually be supporting self-care. At a time when we are facing something completely new to us and the impact is so diverse, self-care may look different then what it has in the past.
Allow yourself to take pause and check in with yourself to see how you can really support your being through this. Sometimes, when our capacities are full, focusing on our breathe can be all we have room for. And sometimes the best thing to make room for;
When noticing your breathe give attention to the length of your inhale and to stretching out your exhale. Deepening your breathe so that you can physically feel your shoulders drop, your belly soften, and a sense of calmness enter your body.
Repeat as often as needed!
