As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, families have made many sacrifices over the past two years. With kids heading back to the classroom, parents and kids are hoping for a year that feels more normal. But parents and children are also concerned about getting sick or spreading germs to others. You may feel anxious about having to spend time without them or what will happen if there is a resurgence. In addition to speaking with a therapist about your worries, this blog provides three tips that might help ease some of your anxiety about your children going back to school this fall.
3 Tips for Handling Your Child’s Return to School
1. Arm Yourself With Information
Kids look to their parents for guidance and a sense of security in uncertain times. The more you know about the details of your school’s in-person operations, the more reassurance you’ll be able to give them (and yourself). Consider reaching out to your school with any questions you have about the safety protocols they are implementing, such as social distancing, increased cleaning, or improved air filtration.
If you’re still trying to determine if in-person learning is right for your child, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, which has a helpful checklist with various considerations.
In addition to arming yourself with information, you can also spend time teaching your kids about COVID-19. The STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center (STEMIE) has designed some excellent, research-based resources for educating children about how to cope with COVID.
2. Honor Your Emotions
The pandemic has put the country in a difficult situation that schools, teachers, and parents have never before had to face. It’s normal to feel a spectrum of emotions about your child returning to the classroom, including the worry that they’ll get sick, anger over the effect the pandemic is having on their education, or indecision about whether you’re making the right decision by sending them back to school. Hopefully, you’ll find that your child’s school is providing a healthy and supportive environment, but if they aren’t, you can provide them with some helpful suggestions from the CDC.
What’s important is that you check in with yourself and acknowledge the feelings you are having, rather than bottle them up inside. Speaking with a friend, family member, or therapist can help you process these complex emotions, as can journaling or “brain-dumping” about your thoughts and experiences.
3. Prepare Yourself for their In-Person School Schedule
It may be a good idea to plan ahead and prepare yourself mentally for the time without your children while they are physically in school. Recent academic research out of Binghamton University has proven that a predictable schedule can make children (and you!) develop a sense of control and safety. Perhaps making a plan to get some exercise, work on a hobby, or engage in another activity you enjoy or project that you have not had the chance to do. Maybe reaching out to your support network, whether it be friends, family, or a therapist will feel positive for you. In all likelihood, your friends and family may be dealing with similar worries and fears.
You can also help your kids feel more prepared for their in-person school days by speaking with them about the importance of social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks. You might also send them off with extra masks and hand sanitizer.
If you’re looking for a therapist in the Juneau, AK, area, reach out to Colleen Torrence MEd, LPC. With more than more 20 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor, she provides clients with a level of unconditional support that allows them to feel comfortable and open up. She also specializes in abuse, trauma, and family counseling. Call (907) 789-9212 to learn more or schedule an appointment.