Parents Can Find Balance

During a Pandemic

The pressure and stress of mental health by causing anxiety, • Ask for help: It is okay to admit balancing everything can be depression and isolation. In- that this is a difficult time. Being taxing on parents in the best stead, set boundaries for how you resilient means being able to of times. Having conversa- interact on social media and limit quickly recover from the difficultions about how we achieve balance times of access. Make sure you are ties that life offers. No one is imand getting creative in how we handle our current culture has never been more important. The demands of the pandemic, shifting school platforms, working from home or outside the home challenges parents’ capacity to • modeling this behavior of tuning off technology for your children. Take care of yourself as a Parent/Caregiver: With everyone being at home, this is more mune to what is going on with the pandemic. Even with a support system of friends, family and resources, we all have our moments of need. do it all. of a challenge than ever before. As a parent with first-hand exPlan extra self-care activities such There is not a specific recipe for perience navigating public systems as breathing techniques, reading balancing it all during this time, just and raising my children with mental inspirational quotes, setting a re- like there is no handbook on parhealth and minder on your phone of positive enting. But trying new techniques, develop- affirmations, creating a safe place activities, ways to do things can mental in your home that is just for relax- make all the difference in navigating challeng- ation, or getting physically active through these times for your child es, I have inside or outside. and for you.learned strategies to help keep on track. In my work as a Parent Support Partner at Montcalm Care Network, my focus is helping parents and caregivers increase their confidence and find their voice when they partner with professionals serving their children. All parents do best when empowered to develop susSHANNAN KOOISTRA Parent Support Partner Montcalm Care Network • Find activities to do as a family: These activities don’t have to be elaborate or cost money for families to have a great time together. There are numerous activities that can be done both in the home, as tainable, natural support networks well as safely and practical skill sets. When parin the commuents experience a greater connection nity. Attend a to their community, they find hope in virtual event, the future for their children and for have a game themselves as a caregiver. night, organize a

There are skills parents can use scavenger hunt to lessen negative symptoms of the inside or outpandemic such as anxiety, depression side, make crafts and isolation. Here are some practi- together - just to cal ones that work both for my family, name a few. In as well as those I serve: the community, • Shift your focus: Be as mindful as possible and avoid focusing on the negative. That means decreasing your use of social media because it can negatively affect the library is a great resource with curbside togo bags of crafts, games, books and snacks.

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Surrendering the Secret

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