Coronavirus Pandemic and Children - Special Guest Jennifer Street

Children around the country are feeling the effects of the coronavirus quarantine. If your child is experiencing anxiety, grief, confusion over closings or frustration with their changing world, you’re not alone! Behavioral regression in children is a trauma response. Our guest is Jennifer Street who is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional who specializes in trauma work to find the best ways we as parents can help children navigate these troubling times. (This is part one of what will be at least a two-part series on mental health. We- Carrie and Karyn- are not doctors, or mental health experts! But we felt a need to start a conversation about this.)

Here are some takeaways from our discussion:

~Structure creates safety for children, and children require that - especially now.

~Parenting is now completely different, whether you're working while at home, going into work as an essential worker (or easing back into it as the orders are lifted) or a stay at home parent. Be easy on yourself. Don't measure your current daily accomplishments to your former level of efficiency, or anyone else's.

~Learning to regulate your own emotions as a parent is the first place to start so that you can teach your children to do the same.

~Boundaries are crucial for working parents: Set up a workspace away from your children, if possible.
Take shifts if you're able with a spouse or partner. Also, shift mentally into work/play mode during the day.

~Create a demobilizing ritual so you can shift from work to parenting duties: Three steps: Reflect, rest, reset.
Set an intention for how you will show up to achieve quality time at your job and with your family.

~Have a daily routine and schedule of certain things that happen at certain times, even if it's not down to the hour.

~Give kids choices and autonomy by allowing them to "shop" in your pantry with play money.

~Brain breaks during the day help children focus on school work and helps break up the day. Cosmic Kids Yoga

~Positive Parenting Solutions- web-based parenting online course: Attention bucket and Power bucket.

~Generation Mindful - emotional regulation tools. Choose a time-in rather than a time-out to avoid power struggles.
Create a Calming Corner, a time-in spot to go to process big feelings.

~How We Love : Trauma-based book to figure out your love language.

~Empowered to Connect : Great free resources on topics such as parenting aggressive behavior, managing stress and even fun topics like finding out your play personality (I found this especially interesting!).

~Big Life Journal : helps kids draw and write about their feelings

~Beyond Consequences