Due to the COVID-19 virus schools are closed leaving our children and teenagers confined to being home with parents. This can be such a challenging experience since there are many variables that can make each day extremely difficult relationally. There is loss in our daily routines which itself is disorienting. Some parents are working from home while attempting to make sure their kids are progressing in their online curriculum. The sheer constancy of relationship can add stress and tension. Siblings can be in constant conflict which fills the home with additional tension. If we add other problems like relational discord, learning struggles, behavioral acting out and life stressors, what once was a home with manageable conflicts becomes a place of frustration, anger and high threat.
The normal expectations of performing in school creates stress in our students. Part of the positive aspects of school are the friendships and peer relationships that have been established.
Those relationships are of significant value to our kids and are so important to their maturity and development. When they are limited to social media for these relationships there are consequences that can add yet more discord in the home.
Experiences like these tests the capability of parents and children to relate and to cope with this level of stress. Because of the COVID-19 confinement I plan to interview our parenting expert and my fellow blogger Diane Wagenhals to help parents become more aware of the issues they are facing. We will offer some tips and helps as to how to parent during this phase of confinement and make it available on YouTube.
We recognize that this confinement will go on for most families for some time. It is always helpful to have experts provide tools for us to deal with these kinds of stressors. Most of us have never experienced something this intense in our entire lives. Therefore, we are in unfamiliar territory with our kids. I hope parents will be able to benefit from what Diane and I will cover in the next few weeks.
Remote schooling is an important part of helping students continue in their schoolwork while we are waiting for this pandemic to subside. In light of all these stressors I have mentioned in this post, I am offering an article that has some perspectives on how parents can make schooling a positive experience for them and for their kids. This article is written by Maeve Richmond and is helpful in creating a more organized and positive learning experience for students who are remote schooling.
All parents need support and guidance in raising their children. But today, the pressure is ever intense with all the confinements of COVID-19. We appreciate you, parents and caregivers as you work diligently to survive this significant time in the life of your family. Stay tuned for more helpful information in the coming days from Lakeside.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
