Dr. Jasmine Low

Dr.Jasmine Low's advice for Supporting Kids going BACK TO SCHOOL

By Pediatrician Jasmine Low, MD, FAAP

If you are worried about how to support your kids going back to school in a time of pandemic, you’re not alone. One thing that helps me, MINDFULNESS!

PAUSE

In the morning, pause before you get started on the day, even if it means taking three deep breaths. For bedtime, try this simple exercise with your child (and for yourself). Think of one positive thing that happened today, hearing a bird sing or enjoying the blue sky. Take 10 seconds to breathe together. Then share a positive thought to end the day with. I used to tuck my son in with this short exchange:

Me: “What are you going to do tonight?” Him: “Get bigger, stronger, healthier, and feel better.”

Kids are sponges, they pick up on our emotions, stress, and anxieties, then reflect them back to us. To benefit your children and yourself, pause, take stock of your own anxieties, stress and remember to breathe.

"Parenting is an adventure. You don’t have to go it alone. Find joy in your journey."

PLAN ROUTINES

If you have a partner, set aside time to talk with them about both the big picture and specific things, bedtime, wake time and school day plans. Get into a good bedtime routine in your household, our bodies thrive on having predictability. Most kids tend to fall right into the family routine once they experience consistency and predictability. This allows for less push-back, less whining, less “no” and more “yes.” Consider routines as important as hand washing, discouraging your child from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, staying up to date on vaccines, including flu and COVID-19 and eating well.

SEEK SUPPORT

Check in with your healthcare provider for help navigating this process. Every family is different.

Medical providers are invested in getting to know your family so they can find out what works best for you. Speaking for my family, I know it’s a lifelong effort, but baby steps can make a difference. Parenting is an adventure. You don’t have to go it alone. Find joy in your journey.

Dr. Low is a provider at Mosaic Pediatrics in Bend. She appreciates that Mosaic “truly ‘walks the talk’ in our mission to provide excellent care for the whole person.” She enjoys practicing medicine and getting to know her patients within this framework. She speaks medical Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and English. Outside of work, Dr. Low enjoys running, hiking, indoor rock climbing, cooking and various outdoor and musical pursuits with her husband and two children.

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