Re-Entry and Re-adjustment

Within the next two weeks, the majority of people who are employed outside the home and who are not able to work from home, will be required to return to work, while children are still out of school. This poses a challenge for many, and especially for single parents. Some may find themselves scrambling to locate childcare services, whether that be relatives, friends, babysitters or home daycare.  

This readjustment, just as we were becoming accustomed to quarantine-styled living, may be unsettling and will likely provoke renewed anxiety in both parents and children alike. Though businesses, services and activities are opening up and some people returning to work, the fact remains that the threat of the Covid-19 virus which catapulted us all into this pandemic state remains ever present. Some may find that going out and trying to function “as normal” while being aware that the threat still exists to be quite nerve-wracking.

Living with uncertainty is the lesson we are all involved in trying to learn at present. And, as I have heard it said, the only certain thing about life is uncertainty, (along with death and taxes). In order to manage this uncertainty it is really important to take the time to be more mindful, to tune in to the tensions in your body and the emotions in your mind.

​Allow yourself to acknowledge them, sit with them, feel them and breathe into them. Express what you are feeling vocally or in writing. This can mitigate the feelings of overwhelm and calm down the body’s stress response. Acceptance of uncertainty will allow us the mental space to focus on the here and now. Reaching out to others and offering emotional and/or practical support, engaging with friends, and indulging in creative and fun activities can also help to manage uncertainty.  (You can refer to the Reminder Tips for Parents in previous blog).

Self-care and self-nurturing are vitally important at this time, making sure that we’re sleeping well, eating well and staying hydrated. Drinking water is known to be essential to our emotional and mental health as well as our physical health.

Remember: 

• Children should never be left alone at home unsupervised.
•  Try to ensure that the person caring for your children is someone you know to be trustworthy
•  Talk to your children about recognizing abusive behaviours
•  Let them know that they can talk to you about anything they are not comfortable with when under the care of someone else.
• Let them know when you are leaving home and when you will be returning.
• Make time to ask about their day and listen to them when you return home.
• Reassure them that they are important and loved.

It would be helpful to share the Still-at-Home Survival Tips for Children (previous blog) with the person who will be caring for your children while you are away from home.