I have been thinking a lot about my friends who have school-age children at home. Let’s face it having kids home 24/7, for who knows how long, is a bit mind-boggling and honestly a recipe for STRESS! Of course we love our children and for all who are able to shelter-at home and stay healthy, it is a blessing. But the stark reality of trying to be a parent right now requires major resiliency, grit and desperately holding on to any sense of humor you can conjure up. I heard one mom describe it as the “invisible load.” Being under self-quarantine and dealing with a pandemic virus was not in any parent playbook. Each day we are all trying to cope with the relentless sense of anxiousness, and fear of the unknown. Understandably parents’ collective nerves are starting to wear thin while at the same time they are worried about their kids and wanting to protect. It is a true paradox for we also need kids, age appropriately to find ways to cope with their current reality, to maintain their school work and get through this as best as possible.
Recently, I saw Julie Lythcott-Haims on a local news show. She was an administrator at Stanford University for a number of years and her experience of working with college-age kids gives her a unique and thoughtful perspective. Her advice to families right now was to keep “expectations real.” She shared that at this moment in time parents need to take care of themselves too and to recognize that trying your best to support your kids is enough. I would add show your kids compassion by recognizing their frustrations, to try to be consistent and keep it manageable. If you would like to hear her thoughts about parenting during “normal” times please check out her Ted Talk in the link below.
How To Raise Successful Kids-Without Over Parenting
Julie also has written a book titled, How to Raise An Adult which I plan to order – for even though we have adult children we are still trying to figure it out! Thank you again to the many, many Americans who are working hard for all of us. We have dear friends whose daughter is a nurse at major hospital in Philadelphia and she asked to be transferred to work with COVID-19 patients – she is a hero making a difference. Stay well and we are in this together!
Take good care
Laine
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