How to support your teen through the Coronavirus Pandemic
6 ways to support your child This pandemic has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for all of us including our children. As we adjust to the new norm our children will have continuous thoughts and questions such as : Are we safe? Are those caring for us safe? How is this going to affect our daily life? Tips on how to address your teens concerns in order to maintain emotional stability include the following: 1. Model Calmness 2. Know the Facts About Corona Virus 3. Acknowledge Your Teens Feelings 4. Model Behavior 5. Reassurance 6. Anxiety and Depression in Teens – Signs and Symptoms
1. Model Calmness We as parents are worried too. Current situations such as loss of a job, financial situations or health issues may be affecting us. Our children can sense anxiety even when we are not voicing or expressing anxiety related thoughts and fears. It is important that we try our best to hide our worries and keep our cool. The following may help us deal with our own stress: •Focus on Factual Information as much as possible •Stay up to date with school notices and information •Talk about your worries and frustrations with a spouse, friend, spiritual leader or another individual you can confide in •Take Care of our own physical health – Exercise, Good Sleep, Gardening, Watching TV
2. Know the facts about corona virus It's okay to discuss the Corona Virus with your teen. Ask them about information they have heard or read. Inform them what some stories they have heard or seen may not all be true. Inform them of facts you know to be true. The questions listed below may be used during your discussion: •What have you heard about Corona Virus? •Where did you hear about it? •What are your major concerns and worries? Let your child know you are there if they wish to talk further about this.
3. Acknowledge your teens feelings • Acknowledge that you understand their feelings • Do not make fun of or reject their current feelings – Inform them their feelings are normal Even though you may not agree with what they are feeling, listening and showing your teen you understand will help them to remain calm and process their emotions.
4. Model Preventions These new preventions are going to be the new norm. It's important we model prevention at home and continue to practice the follow: • Hand Washing • Sneezing into your sleeves • Keeping hands away from face • No physical contact or hand shaking • Wiping down surfaces If we as parent's practice this at home, your teen will follow and will be easier when they return to school.
5. Reassurance • It's okay to reassure your teen everything will be okay • Bring up stories you may have experienced in the past where you were worried but overcame your worry • If your teen is continuously asking for reassurance they may be suffering from a type of anxiety
6. Anxiety and depression S ig n s a n d S y m p t o m s : W a y s to h e l p y o u r te e n c o p e : •Excessive worry and fear of their health and of others health •Take a break from local news and social media •Change in sleeping patters •Taking deep breaths, stretching or meditating •Difficulty Sleeping •Exercise •Alcohol or Drug Abuse •Get plenty of sleep •Refusing to complete school work •Journaling, drawing, listening to music •Socially withdrawal •Talk to your teen
Structure and Scheduling COVID-19 has taken away our daily work, home and school routines. This is hard for children, teenagers and for you. Making new routines can help. 1 . C r e a t e a fl e x ib l e b u t c o n s is t e n t d a il y r o u t in e 2 . D is c u s s im p o r t a n c e o f s a f e d is t a n c e s a n d h y g ie n e 3 . Y o u a r e a m o d e l fo r y o u r c h il d ’s b e h a v io r
Cr Create a flexible but te a flexible but cons consistent d istent dail aily routin y routine • M a k e a s c h e d u le fo r y o u a n d y o u r c h ild r e n th a t h a s tim e fo r s t r u c t u r e d a c t iv it ie s a s w e l l a s fr e e tim e . T h is c a n h e l p c h ild r e n fe e l m o r e s e c u r e a n d b e t t e r b e h a v e d . • C h il d r e n o r te e n a g e r s c a n h e lp p l a n th e r o u t in e fo r th e d a y – lik e m a k in g a s c h o o l tim e t a b l e . C h il d r e n w il l fo ll o w th is b e t t e r if th e y h e lp to m a k e it . • In c l u d e e x e r c is e in e a c h d a y - th is h e lp s w it h s t r e s s a n d k id s w it h lo t s o f e n e r g y a t h o m e .
Discuss Discuss imp impor ortance nce of s f safe afe dist distance nces s and hy nd hygiene iene • T r y fin d in g s a f e p l a c e s fo r y o u r c h il d to e n j o y th e O u t s id e • Y o u c a n r e a s s u r e y o u r c h il d b y ta l k in g a b o u t h o w y o u a r e k e e p in g s a f e • L is t e n to th e ir s u g g e s t io n s a n d ta k e th e m s e r io u s l y • D e v e l o p 2 0 s e c o n d s o n g o r a c t iv it y fo r w a s h in g h a n d s • R e m in d e r s to n o t to u c h fa c e
You are a model for your child’s behavior • If you practice keeping safe distances and hygiene yourself, and treat others with compassion, especially those who are sick or vulnerable – your children and teenagers will learn from you. • At the end of each day, take a minute to think about the day. Tell your child about one positive or fun thing they did. Praise yourself for what you did well today. You are a star!
Socializing and activities during pandemic • D evices - Set limits on screen and device time especially later in the evening, encourage playing games and socializing with close friends via zoom or other virtual face to face platforms. • Cook and eat meals together - Use this time to catchup and socialize with your kids. • Exercise - Not only does exercise release endorphins and keeps your teen healthy, but evidence shows it also keeps depression and anxiety at bay. • New skills - Encourage them to dip their feet into learning whatever interests them – especially if they’re not particularly interested in typical academics. Many sites (including universities) have free trials so your teen can see if they enjoy the class before committing to it (e.g. G r a p h ic s ? C o m p u t e r s , c o d in g , o r a p p d e v e l o p m e n t ? H a ir s t y l in g o r m a k e u p ? S t o c k tr a d in g o r b u s in e s s ? B a k in g o r p a s t r y d e s ig n ? ) • Home Improvements - Chances are, you’re home from work as well, which means you get to work on all those home -improvement projects you put off.
School Support There are resources for your teen if you feel your teen may require additional help. Reach out to the Intervention Counselors, Psychologist, School Counselors or the district M.F.T. Allow your teen to have a confidential session with these individuals. CCHS – Guillermo Santana – Intervention Counselor email: gsantana@djuhsd.org Ligia Rodarte – School Psychologist email: lrodarte@djuhsd.org Luz Maria Garay – Marriage Family Therapist (M.F.T.) email: lgaray@djuhsd.org RFK – Sarah Del Rio – Intervention Counselor email: sdelrio@djuhsd.org Claudia Rodriguez – School Psychologist email: crodriguez@djuhsd.org Luz Maria Garay – Marriage Family Therapist (M.F.T.) email: lgaray@djuhsd.org DHS – Cheryl Gonzalez – Intervention Counselor email: cgonzalez@djuhsd.org Rudy Arellano – School Psychologist email: rarellano@djuhsd.org Luz Maria Garay – Marriage Family Therapist (M.F.T.) email: lgaray@djuhsd.org
Additional Resources • 9-1-1 : If your teen is in immediate danger • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-Talk(8255) - This line is always free and confidential • Kern Behavioral Health Services: 1-800-911-5272 or Dial 711 for Relay Communication Services • Crisis Text Line: Text MHA to 741741 – Will be connected to a trained counselor. Always free and 24/7 Support • Child Guidance: 661 – 725-1042 • Clinica Sierra Vista: 661-725-2788 • Tulare Youth Services: 559-688-2043
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