During these challenging times, it is important to stay connected. It is especially important to find those who you can relate with. Parenting is a difficult task and now more than ever parents are having to take on added responsibilities and stressors due to COVID 19. However, there is an opportunity to take a virtual class that will allow you to gain knowledge and support. Pinnacle is offering a community based education series on "Nuturing Parent." Click here to acess the flyer to get more information on how to sign up.

Parenting can be quite a challenge, especially during recent times. There is a lot of added stress, expectations and even barriers that families are having to face. The good news is, there are still supports available during this time. EPIC. has a variety of services to offer families so that your needs can be met. The most important thing is that you and your children are safe. Please check out EPICS website to see what they've put in place for families during lockdown. EPIC Website

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize one's emotions, thoughts, goals and values and understand how they influence one's behavior. Click here for a COVID-19 Time Capsule. This is a great tool to help your child journal and document their experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. It will allow them to practice self-awareness.

In a time where there is so much uncertainty, it is important to try and limit anxiety. One way you and your child can do this is by, sticking to a schedule. Having a structured routine allows for us to know what to expect and we feel safer. Daily routines also help control impulsiveness and defiance. Following a consistent routine will encourage maturity, it teaches healthy habits such as responsibility. Remember with your schdule to set boundaries and expectations. Click here for examples of daily schedules. Feel free to modify the schedule to best fit your child and families needs. 

"During a moment of time in which the world needed everyone to stay apart, we stayed together."

This is a great time to really connect with your loved ones. There are many activities you can do at home to bring your family together. One thing you can do together is a craft. Click here for an example of a craft you can do with limited supplies. All you need is markers, glue, scissors and paper. You can get creative and use other supplies as well.

Step 1: Trace each person's hand on a different color piece of paper. Don't worry if you dont have colored paper you can always trace the hands on white paper and then have each person color and design their own cut out hand. You could also use paint to make a hand print, wait until it dries and then cut it out.

Step 2: Take each cut out hand and glue them on top of each other. Starting with the biggest to the smallest.

Step 3: Glue your collection of hands on a white sheet of paper. Write each person's name next to their hand.

Step 4: Write at the top, "When the world stayed apart, this was my favorite place to be. Lockdown 2020." You can be creative with what you want to write.

Step 5: Frame it or hang it on the fridge.

What are normal stress reactions for my child to experience? Children and adolescents are going through their own axiexty and grief during COVID-19. There may have been certain experiences they were looking forward to, which are now taken away from them. It is normal for children to become more needy or clingy than usual. They may even act younger than their age. If they were able to get dressed without help before or potty trained, they may need more assistance with those activities again. The child's responses are likely temporary, remember to be patient. One way you can help is to create a Calm Down Box with your child. Explore with your child things that help them calm down when they are experiencing anxiety. Overall, it is a fun activity that allows you to be creative and search for things around the house with your child to put in their box. Here are some examples to help get you started. Calm Down Box

It is normal for children to have a lot of energy. Playing and staying active is important for a child's physical and mental health. However, you may have noticed an increase in your child's activity during this time. This could be due to anxiety and mental distress like trauma around COVID-19. If you find that you are having a hard time managing your child's behavior or their behavior is causing them more difficulties; there might be some simple adjustments you need to make. Some signs your child may be dealing with hyperactivity are:

Often fidgets with hands/feet, squirms in their seat

Often having a difficult staying in seat when told

Often having trouble waiting their turn or interrupting

Often runs or climbs in innappropriate situations

Self-regulation allows children to manage their emotions, behaviors and actions. Here are three simple adjustments you can make today to help your child when they are having a difficult time self-regulating:

Check in with your child, ask not only what emotion they are feeling but how their body feels when they experience this emotion. Find a check-in example.

Incorporate movement breaks throughout the day for your child. Find a movement break example.

Incorporate meditation-deep breathing techniques for your child, these are espcially great at bedtime.

Peaceful Butterfly
Visualizing the New Year
Inner Kingdom
Pausing to Understand Anger
Loving Your Body
Beach Relaxation
Lakeside Meditation
Happy Heart
You Are Loved

As COVID-19 continues to alter our lives, there are many changes and uncertainties that we face. This is difficult for adults to understand, and having to explain what’s going on to children is even more challenging. There is a lot of information that is constantly being released about COVID-19. There are updates almost daily as data changes and new information arises, it can get to be overwhelming and scary. As a parent, you might have questions like, “what information is true?” and “how do I tell my child what's going on?” These are difficult questions, especially when we might not know the answer. The best thing you can do is be truthful, it's okay to not have all the answers. Children just want to feel heard and be included. You can do this by sticking to the basics and there is a great illustrated guide by Adrianne Presnell that can help you. Remember, you're not alone; there are plenty of reliable resources and supports available. Please view the attachment below to access the illustrated guide. COVID-19