Everyday coping reminder tips for parents

As the uncertainty shifts beneath our feet and plans for reopening are being laid out, parents need to find ways to stay grounded and maintain stability for their children. Planning ahead and remembering to look after yourself are key to effective coping.

• Plan for the week with children's input so that there are things to look forward to.
• Develop a schedule around activities of daily living so that there is predictability and everyone knows what to expect.
• Be flexible - Pick and choose your battles. For example, you may decide to overlook bed-making or packing away of toys or books at certain times in certain areas, or switch times of scheduled activities.
• Search for free activities and resources online - there are many available at the present time.
• Support your children in building activities around their interests.

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MAKE SELF-CARE A PRIORITY :
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• Build a daily exercise routine - if you own exercise equipment, use it. Workout to youtube videos, make several laps around your house, walk up and down stairs several times, set up an obstacle course in your yard, There are many creative ways to fit exercise into your day.
• Connect with nature by doing some gardening or simply sitting and taking in the beautiful vegetation around you - sights, sounds, scents.
• Sing - both in the shower and out of the shower. Set up sing-a-long and karaoke sessions.
• Remember to laugh, watch comedies.
  
• Check-in with your spouse/partner or other adults in the house as to how things are going.
• Be aware of what triggers each person's anxiety or irritability.
• Schedule some alone time to self-nurture. Each person in the house should have some alone time. Even if physical space is tight, some psychological space can be beneficial.
• Make a plan for what you will do if someone in the house becomes ill.
• Restrict your use of social media
• Monitor your children's consumption of repetitive and sensational news.
• Choose a responsible news source and listen to a limited amount of disturbing or negative news stories.
• Read inspirational and uplifting material.
• Avoid watching news late at night or first thing in the morning. Use these times to self-nurture and rejuvenate.

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To end with a quote:

           "The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments".
​                                                                                                                                                                   Thich Nhat Hanh