We all thought
it was going to be temporary.
Kids with school
uniform tops and pajama bottoms, glued to the screens for their online classes,
and harried moms working from home while juggling household chores. Yet, here
we are again, welcoming another school year in the new normal.
During the
recent webinar hosted by the Stella Maris Academy of Davao Alumni Batch 1996
entitled “Parenting, Family Life and Mental Wellness”, Analyn Leysa, PhD said
that the Covid-19 parent guilt is more evident for those who juggle work and
home all in one place.
At some point, the mental health advocate shared that parents may feel guilty when they try to fit their work activities during the day, or when their level of interest and engagement with them lowers, or just becoming too tired to spend enough quality time with the kids after doing multiple chores.
“The well-being of each family member is as important as their physical health. We need to be mindful of how each member of the family is coping with everything during the pandemic. All the anxieties, fears, and worries Covid-19 has brought to each of us should be addressed and managed,” the mother-of-two underscored.
To keep the calm at home and improve the family’s
mental wellness, Dr. Leysa shares the following essential tips:
1) ADDRESS CHILDREN’S FEARS
Answer questions about the pandemic simply and honestly and recognize your child's feelings. Keep in touch with loved ones to stay connected. Also, offer extra hugs and say "I love you" more often. 
2)
KEEP HEALTHY ROUTINES
With
the usual routines thrown off balance, establish new daily schedules. Break up
schoolwork when possible. Older children and teens can help with schedules, but
they should follow a general order, such as a wake-up and sleep time routine,
meal schedule, chores, exercise, among others. 
3)
USE POSITIVE DISCIPLINE
Among the ways to help manage emotions and behaviors are redirecting bad behavior; encouraging creative play; using rewards and privileges to reinforce good behavior; and implementing time-outs.
4)
ALLOT A SPECIAL TIME IN
Even with everyone home together 24/7, set aside some special
time with each child. Just 10 or 20 minutes of your undivided attention, even
if only once every few days, will mean a lot to your child. Keep cellphones off
or on silent mode so you do not get distracted.
5) AVOID PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT
Spanking, hitting, and other forms of physical or
“corporal” punishment risks injury and is not effective. Physical punishment
can increase aggression in children over time and fails to teach them to behave
or practice self-control and can even interfere with normal brain development.
6) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Caregivers should also take care of themselves physically: Eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. Find ways to decompress and take breaks. If more than one parent is at home, take turns watching the children if possible.
7)
TAKE A (BREAK!) BREATH
In addition to reaching out to others for help, try to
ask yourself: “Does the problem represent an immediate danger? How will I feel
about this problem tomorrow? Is this situation permanent?”.
“As Jon Kabat-Zinn stated, “You can’t stop the waves, but
you can learn to surf”. Our struggles nearly always ease with the passage of
time, so appreciate all the wonderful events in your life. You’ve earned it!”
Dr. Leysa fervently reminds overwhelmed parents.
Special thanks to Dr. Analyn Leysa, Emmylou Yap-Teves,
Sharon Ferrer-Mangaoil, Laura Diaz-Chiong and Jasper Huang for the photos.
E-mail the author
at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.
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