Since the start of our spring break, we find ourselves in a very different place. While we grapple with the unprecedented ripple effect of COVID-19, and its impact on our families and our mental health, all three divisional counselors at GFA are here to offer their virtual support.
Given the extended restrictions on social interactions for CT, our counseling team has put together some suggestions on how to anchor yourselves, and how to best help your family cope in developmentally-appropriate ways.
The Starting Point
1. Embrace Routine
A consistent routine — including sleep, meals, exercise, chores, free play, and social contact — provides structure in an unstructured time.
2. Change Focus
We know the need to stay up-to-date on the influx of news coming our way, however, a constant stream of news can cause anyone to feel anxious. Try to stick to a schedule of reading during specific times during the day, then unplug and shut it down.
3. Notice the Positives...
...even the small ones, and even in the disruption. Find one good thing that comes out of it. There’s always a silver lining. What are some things you or your family are able to do because of this unique situation?
While you’re doing this, it’s OK to validate the negatives. With so many restrictions, cancellations, and disappointments, some days will feel more difficult. If you can, trust in the impermanence of it all — your difficult days will not last forever, it is only a wave of emotions, and it will shift again.
Lower School Suggestions from Corinne Kennelly:
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Spend your energy on things you can control and let go of those things you are unable to control. Third- and Fourth-graders know these as rock problems and clay problems. We can’t change rock problems (like canceled activities and playdates), we can only find ways to cope with them. The things we are able to control are called clay problems. A person’s attitude and responses are always clay. If you choose to use this language it will be very familiar to your children.
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Cook with your kids! Assign one part of the prep to each child. The youngest can be “fridge fetchers.”
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Consider starting a practice in mindfulness and meditation. For example, this video created by young children.
Middle School Suggestions from Jackie Woods:
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Nothing is more repairing than the power of laughter! Most late-night show hosts are broadcasting from their own homes, such as Jimmy Fallon & Jimmy Kimmel!
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Make a new Spotify playlist with your children. My two personal favorites for relaxation these days are Zona Rosa and The Boy In The Gap.
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Start a family gratitude practice. Make it a part of your daily routine to name 1-3 things every morning or evening.
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Consider a daily morning quote, meme, or poem to start the day.
Upper School Suggestions from Elizabeth Day:
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Be creative! Draw, paint, scrapbook, journal, write a short story or poem. A haiku a day keeps the virus away.
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Enjoy some real family time — record family stories, learn the histories directly from grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
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Reconnect with friends from the past.
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When all else fails, turn to Netflix. Perhaps it's time to revisit “Breaking Bad.”