Parenting During Quarantine

Dear GHC Parents,

I want to send encouragement to each of you as you simultaneously parent and teach your child(ren) during this quarantine- keep up the good work! I came across some Covid parenting strategies that may be helpful for you as you finish out the school year and move into summer.  

The acronym for the strategies is K.I.S.S. which stands for Keep it Simple Silly.  

KINDNESS: Intentional acts of kindness lift our spirits. Start your day by doing something really kind for your child(ren) and challenge them to pay the kindness forward to someone else in your family. Ideas: ice cream for breakfast, clean their room, etc.

INVITE: Invite your child(ren) to join you in doing everyday tasks that they don’t usually have the opportunity to do. This is a great time for kids to learn life skills on how to upkeep a home, make meals, and learn a new hobby. Use encouraging words as you see them try new things.

SHARE: Share stories with your children about your childhood. This extra together time is an opportunity to get to know each other in new ways. Ask your child(ren) to share some of their favorite childhood memories. Listen to what has been meaningful to them, you may be surprised.

SUPPORT: Create time and space for your children to share how they are feeling. Listening, without fixing, is a great way to show support. Thank them for sharing their feelings with you.

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KEEP: Keep the bar where your children can reach success. Celebrate small moments. Give recognition for what could be happening (worse) that is not happening.

INITIATE: Initiate times of connection, togetherness, and laughter. This is especially important following screen time to limit irritability.

STRUCTURE: Children crave structure. Give boundaries and form for their day. A schedule can create predictability in a time of unknown. Model flexibility for unexpected changes.

SLEEP: Be sure to keep consistent bedtimes and sleep schedules. Inconsistent schedules combined with poor sleep creates fertile ground for behavior problems and moody kids.

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If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

Warmly,

Annise Koops, LLMSW

(Strategies by Lisa Dykstra, LMSW)