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FA MI LY MAT T E RS
Pandemic Parenting
Help Children Cope with Uncertain Times TARA BONE contributing writer
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, the last year has been challenging. As adults, it’s been difficult to plan and know what the future holds, but for children the upheaval of life as they knew it has been particularly confusing, especially for teens trying to make important life decisions. Parenting in and of itself can seem overwhelming right now, but Travis Christensen, licensed clinical mental health counselor at Clear Direction Counseling in Logan, encourages parents to trust themselves and their children, even during these challenging times. “Parents need to give their children an opportunity to face the hard things of life
and to trust in their skills, talents, and abilities to overcome,” Travis said. “Being a guide as needed, love as required, redirect as expected, and advise as requested.” Below Travis offers help to parents wondering how to help their children navigate the ups and downs of pandemic living.
As parents, how can we help our children cope with these uncertain times? 1. Remember that your children will follow your example. If a parent gets caught up in a catastrophic mindset, then their children will follow. It is
vital to know uncertainty is a normal and natural part of life. It has been, is currently, and will certainly remain a part of life and experience. 2. Try to normalize what is happing to the best of your abilities and remember, just because it’s not what the parent is used to, doesn’t mean the situation is difficult for the child. Projecting is a real thing and must be minimized, thus allowing the child to have their own experience. 3. Make sure the child has space to express concerns and then be given the opportunity to address fears, anxieties, or any other difficult emotion they are feeling. continued on next page...
