Suggestions for dealing with stressful times

In a short amount of time our normal routines of going to work each day and sending the kids off to school have adjusted to working from home and suddenly becoming our children’s teachers. These changes would be challenging under any circumstance. Here are some strategies to help deal with the anxiety of it all:

• Take it one day at a time. Make a plan for that day, and just do your best to stick to it.

• Preserve what normalcy you can. Get dressed, make breakfast, and do whatever you would normally do to start your day.

• Set up a time and space in your home for school work to be done. Make a realistic schedule and build in time to take breaks for socializing and entertainment.

• Help kids find ways to get their feelings out. They are feeling sad, scared and bored, just like we are. Answer their questions and share simple facts.

• Find some time to get outside and get some fresh air. Exercise is your friend! It will help the kids burn off their anxious energy.

• For teens struggling with social distancing, validate their feelings and disappointments. Bonding with peers is an essential developmental task for teenagers. They tend to feel invincible at their age, and have likely been told they are not a high risk population. Explain that social distancing is not about them, it’s about everyone. Try loosening rules about time spent on social media or on their phones.

• Most of all, cut yourself some slack! Do what you can. Be as calm as you can. No one will be a perfect parent in all of this, and this is OK!

Hang in there everyone. You are not alone.

Schelene Lithgow is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Glacier Medical Associates.