DUPO

We are living through uncharted times. We have not faced anything quite like what we are experiencing with COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is encouraging us to stay in our homes, and recommending that no more than 10 people gather together at one time. In an effort to decrease the number of people who will contract COVID-19, drastic measures are being taken. Stores are closing, dental offices are limiting appointments to emergencies only, and many schools and workplaces are moving to online/work-from-home formats for weeks to come, or even for the remainder of the school year.

A lot of information is being shared regarding how to prevent contracting or spreading COVID-19. It is important to take this information seriously and exercise precaution, but it is also important not to panic and to help maintain a sense of normalcy for ourselves and our children. How can we do this? One of the best ways is to establish routines for everyone. Create structures that will allow for the adults in your household to be productive and actually be able to work from home, and help our children transition to the online learning format that will be new territory for many of them. Here are some ideas to help everyone make these changes as painless as possible:

- First, be open and willing to acknowledge what everyone is feeling. This is not an easy pill for most of us to swallow. Many of us struggle with change, and that is okay. We may feel angry, frustrated, anxious, and isolated. Share those feelings with those close to you, but especially when talking with children, focus on how we will get through this by supporting one another and sticking together.

- Establish new routines. Many of us thrive on structure, and adjusting to these changes can be difficult. Set up schedules for yourself and for your children with times for school work, times for meals, times for exercise, and times for play. Many classroom teachers post visual schedules for students to follow. Consider doing this for your children as well. For adults, working from home with your children can be especially difficult. Start by having a conversation with your children about how you will need to have certain quiet times to get work done. Set up a home office for yourself and classroom space for them. Use your time wisely by prioritizing what must be done and focusing on that first. If possible, partner with your spouse so that one of you can watch the children while the other works and then switch. Another option is to work after the children are asleep at night or while they take naps during the day.

- While a necessary precaution, social distancing can lead to feelings of isolation for all of us. Take extra time as a family to reconnect. Play games with each other, have a picnic lunch in the backyard or in the family room, build a blanket fort, eat dinner as a family, or go for walks together. Use technology with apps like Facetime so that you can stay connected with friends and family. Use your imagination, and keep your sense of wonder and adventure. Doing so will not only help you but will help your children see this as an opportunity to experience something new. While it may feel like we have lost a lot, we have also been gifted with the chance to demonstrate our ability to come together as families and communities, to demonstrate our strength and resilience, and to take a moment to focus on what is most important.

We are living through a challenging and uncertain time, that is true. We do not need to minimize that, but we also want to remember that these precautions will be temporary. Practice good self-care and reach out to those around you for support. If you do find that anxiety is starting to overwhelm you and weigh you down, we have therapists available and ready to meet with you. We have telehealth options available as well as in-person appointments, as long as no symptoms are present.