There is never a day that doesn't go by that I don't miss seeing our kids face-to-face. I miss the hugs, the high-fives, the energy. I know that our faculty does too!
But even though things are not optimal and not what any of us would choose during this pandemic, there are still a lot of ways we can look for silver linings and things we can do to help our kids along during this crisis.
The first thing that pops up in many advice articles and something we are really trying to implement in our home is to have a routine. That looks like regular bed times and wake-up times, times for getting in some exercise, making time to do activities together as a family, and time to do things you all enjoy.
Keep in regular contact with friends and family, even if it is just online. Having that interaction really helps with not feeling so isolated during these times. Most of our kids are pretty good at this and have continued to "see" their friends while playing a myriad of video games. During the school year, many even set up their own Zoom channels to have lunch together. Playing video games with one another is a very important outlet, as long as they also move their bodies too, and get some sunshine.
Limiting time spent on news feeds and fact checking what is being consumed are both really important right now. Looking at the news, conducting research, and deciphering opinion vs fact are always great learning opportunities but they can also cause a lot of stress, anger, and anxiety. Looking up information for a set and limited time every day can help.
Find time and activities that allow for your child to be creative. This can include anything from baking to drawing or painting. Learning or practicing a skill together can be a huge silver lining.
I know we had talked about this a lot in the parent meetings, but finding ways to safely help your communities goes a long way. This website may help give you some good leads: https://www.volunteermatch.org/search?l=Austin,%20TX,%20USA
When school starts up again, and if we remain virtual, you can help your child academically by ensuring that homework is being done in the same spot with minimal distractions at the same time every day. If your child has been struggling, it is okay to stay on top of them even if they are older. Being in the same room with them and checking on their progress at regular intervals goes a long way toward ensuring that they get their work done. Always reach out to our teachers to discuss any issues you are observing. We will work together as a team to make sure that your child has reasonable goals and can find success.
Please stay safe and be well!
All My Love,
-Pam
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