Park Rapids Enterprise
Saturday, April 11, 2020 13
Licensed school psychologist Laura Baum-Parr recommends that families “share a meal, three stars and a wish” while sheltering at home.
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Strengthening family life during COVID-19 ► Turn off the TV. “Parents don’t realize kids are hearing and seeing As a licensed school psychologist what’s on the news too and being working with students in pre-K through impacted,” she said. “Adults who want high school in both the Nevis and to stay informed should check a reliable website no more than once a day.” Walker-Hackensack-Akeley districts, ► Keep consistent routines. “When Laura Baum-Parr shares some insights adults feel stressed, many times routo help children deal with stressful sittines go out the window,” Baum-Parr uations like the current pandemic. said. “Children find a sense of security “Children, especially younger chil- and safety through routines, so families dren, are stress barometers,” she said. should make a concerted effort to stick “They reflect the stress of adults around to their routines: a regular time to wake them and look to the significant adults up, school time for those doing distance in their lives for safety and security. If learning and eating meals at regular younger children feel stressed, they’re times together. more likely to act out. Sometimes we ► Share a meal, three stars and a think they are misbehaving, but they wish. “Studies have shown that chilare trying to manage their stress.” dren from families that eat together on
a regular basis have much less anxiety,” she said. “If a family wants to get back on track, one of the best things they can do while sheltering in at home is to encourage everyone to help prepare and eat a meal together. During the evening meal, ask everyone to share three stars and a wish. The three stars are three good things that happened today. And the wish is one thing you wish would have gone differently. The answer to that question will give parents a whole lot of information about what’s going on in a child’s mind. It may also help reveal concerns the child has.” ► Give children roots and wings. “Roots are your sense of identity,”
Nevis Elementary School social worker Krista Platz has these tips to encourage their kids to do to stay connected through social media and sharing videos: ► TicTok dance and activity challenges ► Sharing photos with friends of theme days or dress-up days ► Posting daily highlights ► Doing home science projects using kitchen supplies ► Sharing a “best slime” recipe ► A Lego creation challenge ► Creative activities and art projects with random supplies ► DIY “beauty hacks” or face mask photos ► Sidewalk or driveway chalk drawings ► “Happy birthday” posts ► Play-dough creations
FAMILY: Page 14
Stay-at-home strategies for parents By Michelle Fritze Interventionist, Century Middle School I remember playing the game of LIFE as a kid. The spinner would spin so fast it would just fly off the board. When that would happen, we would have to stop and reset the board. Now, as life itself may be spinning with added stressors of distance learning, financial changes, and staying healthy in the midst of COVID-19. We can end up feeling like that spinner — feeling out of control and ready to fly off the board. So, here are a few tips that may be helpful for you and your child(ren) in this crazy game of life we are actually living.
Stop and reset
Breathe. Seriously, just breathe. When life is overwhelming, stop and take 5-7 deep breaths. This will get your body back to a calm rhythm. Deep breath-
ing calms our brains and bodies so we are better able to navigate what life spins at us. Once calm, we can reset. A healthy reset begins by identifying the things you can control, rather than what you can’t. Making a list or handwriting a new schedule can be an excellent tool in this process.
Name some emotions
Fear is one of the first human responses to the unknown. Another uncomfortable feeling that you may not have recognized is grief. Over the last few weeks the unknown seems to have taken over, like an elephant in your living room. Changes and choices have been made for both you and your child that neither of you asked for nor expected. You and your child may be grieving the loss of connections, of schedule, of resources, of
plans. Fear and grief may be expressed in anxiousness or jittery feelings, anger, isolation, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, stomach aches, headaches, heart pounding and even sweating palms. These are normal responses. So often, we try to ignore it — like the elephant — but it won’t just go away. It is reasonable to have some fears in this time of COVID-19 and change. Remember, your child shares that living roomelephant and all, so acknowledge the elephant in the room daily.
As many local parents are learning, concerns about the pandemic and the adjustment to distance learning can bring social and behavioral issues to the surface. Stellher Human Services employee Casey Swenson, who serves as an elementary interventionist at Century School, recommended that children spend as much time as possible outside and exercise frequently. “If they can do any of their homework outside, it changes the atmosphere and makes it more enjoyable,” she said. “Scheduling fun brain breaks throughout the day, as a family, such as dancing, singing, puzzles or playing a game of cards, can help reduce the stress they might be experiencing.” To stave off meltdowns, Swenson said, “the best thing to do is take frequent breaks. Try your best to make their
that how we talk about it is as important as what we say. ► Acknowledge that fear is there. Ask them open-ended questions like, “What do you think about all that’s going on?” ► Focus on the facts, not fears. Refer to legitimate sites, like the cdc.gov, rather than media posts and hearsay.
STRATEGIES: Page 14
► Establish a daily routine and stick to it. A handwritten schedule can work wonders. ► Set boundaries and expectations. Have a family meeting and work together to determine house rules and limits — for example, screen limits for both parents and kids. ► Find family time. Make time to connect, play and laugh as a family. ► Encourage empathy and compassion. Find things to do for others.
Focus on facts, not fear
One problem that impacts parents and children alike is that when we are fearful, we tend to focus on the negative. Continually focusing on the negative can be detrimen-
Swenson shares coping hints for elemenatary-age kids By Robin Fish rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com
tal. It spreads. Our children absorb our fears and emotions while trying to process their own. So, how do we help our children? We remember that their reaction will be largely determined by how we process our fear. We can’t ignore the fear, but we don’t want it to control us. The best way to help our students, our kids, thrive in the midst of the unknown is to remember
QUICK TIPS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS
schoolwork fun and exciting. Provide rewards when your child is compliant, such as a sticker on a chart towards something they are wanting. Using phrases like, ‘I can see that you are mad right now. How can I help you? What do you need from me?’” Swenson advised journaling five things you are grateful for every day, to help keep your focus on the positives. If parents are struggling to manage, Swenson urges them to contact their child’s teacher “to brainstorm different solutions to set you up for success. They can do their best to accommodate and work with you, however you might need. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.” “If your child is experiencing negative self-talk, or seems more anxious or depressed,” she added, “reach out to your local mental health agencies. Therapists and mental health staff are able to meet with your child virtually.”
Family Home Visiting Working together to build a secure foundation for babies and their families… All parents want the best for their children, and we know you are one of those parents! As you watch your child grow, our Healthy Families program provides the support and encouragement you need every step of the way.
The program is free, but rich in benefits. Not only will you get the support during your pregnancy and early years of parenting, you will get ideas about how to care for and play with your baby. There will be information to let you know how your baby is growing and developing, and we will help you to create a safe and caring home for your child.
How do you get started? We first want to learn about you, and we will come to your home at a convenient time to hear your story. From there, it’s as easy as 1-2-3. 1. A Public Health Nurse will schedule an intake visit with you. 2. You will meet your family support specialist. 3. Visits will begin. Don’t worry…. Visits will be held at your home and at a time just right for you and your family.
Healthy Families
By Lorie Skarpness lskarpness@enterprise.com
This unique program is free for qualifying participants. For more information about the Healthy Families program, contact your Hubbard County team at 218.255.1272