Parenting in a Pandemic
Here on the blog, I usually blog about all things senior portraits. But, with the events that have unfolded in our world, I wanted to share some tips and advice that have been encouraging to me while parenting during these crazy times. As many of you know, I am both a photographer and a mommy, and the pandemic has effected both of these aspects of my life. Here are some things I’ve been trying to work on in my home:
-Limiting the access and influx of news into our home: I love staying updated, but the constant news cycles can feel exhausting, and can breed fear in young children like mine (or really, even older kids!). I try to check the news in the morning briefly, and then in the evening. This allows me to stay on top of important events, without having the news stations on constantly in our house, in front of my littles. I also avoid checking it and scrolling while in bed, so that my mind can have time to relax and unwind without the anxiety of the headlines. Choosing select times to read the news helps me process news and updates without feeling bombarded.
-Recognize when my children are grieving a loss: In both young and older children, their behavior can represent their emotions, even if they’re not aware of them. If my kids are struggling, they can act out, cry, or lash out at their sibling(s). I have tried to remind myself that they’re experiencing loss of normalcy, activities, sports, and spending time with friends or even family, in some cases. Asking often how they are feeling, and giving them space to feel their emotions has been key to helping prevent everyone from suppressing their feelings and bubbling over in resentment.
-Give consistency: One thing that helps stabilize families during hard times is consistency in routine. Even if you aren’t leaving your home, you can establish simple routines, such as reading time before bedtime, family movie night, or even serving meals on certain days (like starting up Spaghetti Wednesdays or pizza on Friday nights!). This not only gives your family something to look forward to, it also provides a sense of routine during shifting times.
-Practice good self-care and emotional modeling: Your children are looking to you as the model of navigation. This can be a blessing and a curse, and can feel like a tremendous burden of trying to “keep it together” when you are emotional, sad, or frustrated. Find a time each day when you can enjoy quiet time by yourself, such as a bath at night when your spouse is home, doing the curbside grocery pickup (take the long way around!), or even sipping a coffee in a quiet room while your children watch a movie. The demands on parents are huge right now, and you need to take care of yourself, or you will be pouring from an empty cup.
To all you parents out there, hang in there! It’s incredibly challenging right now to be juggling financial concerns, the health of our loved ones and ourselves, and helping our children navigate their feelings. Remember to show yourself grace, and reach out to others in your community if you’re struggling!
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