As COVID-19 restrictions press on and ease at the same time, there is hope and new competing challenges arising together.
If you are a parent you have already experienced some of these and are wondering how to mitigate them.
Challenge one is there is now some freedom but not all. How do you explain that to your child? You worked tirelessly the last six weeks finding some kind of balance, now an explosion of questions and meltdowns.
For example, you can tell your young children you can go out for a walk or bike ride for this many minutes and then do another activity. This will limit your running across friends (hopefully) and the no-win situation of why can’t we play together.
Challenge Two
It is even more important when you are out in warmer weather to keep the kids hydrated with water, for every hour of play they should be drinking water. An easier idea is individual water bottles and check clean and refill on a schedule. That gives you a visual of how much is being consumed.
Challenge Three
Can we go to camp? Kids camps are a great part of many families' summer plans. However at this moment know one knows how things will progress. It is best not to half promise a hope — just saying probably not this summer but we will make sure we sign up early next year. Affirm the importance in the child’s life. Some camps are doing online mini camps. Check with yours to see if this is happening.
Challenge Four
The promise of warm weather also brings more challenges with shopping. Kids have outgrown things over winter and it is frustrating to figure out how to buy for them. Tracing your child’s feet helps for shoes and for sandals etc wait a couple weeks and see what restrictions will be then.
Mental health tip for parents.
These challenges bring more stress and questions. Try and get up earlier than your kids for some alone time.
Create an online group with no more than four friends with same age kids that you can share the ups and downs with a couple quick times a day.
Recharge your own batteries with outdoor time with and without the kids. Setting time limits on yours and the kids activities makes them more manageable.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
