Right Turn

Parenting during COVID-19

Strategies to help children who have experienced trauma

Trauma, an emotional response to an intense event that threatens or causes harm, leaves in its wake a host ofemotions and physical reactions that exist long after the event is over. For many, especially children, the constant stream ofinformation coming in about COVID-19 can bring on feelings of uncertainty and fear. These feelings may serve as a reminder oftheir trauma and may cause them to relive those traumatic events. Trauma reminders can be people, places, things, situations, actions, smells, sounds and feelings (like a renewed sadness or fear) among many others; COVID-19 has impacted each ofthese as well as other areas. The efforts made to keep people safe and healthy, though necessary, may have an unintentional negative impact on these individuals.

This pandemic will have its own unique, and possibly traumatic, impact on individuals and though they will not be predicated here, they are important to consider. What follows is information and strategies parents can use to help their children with traumatic history process and thrive through both their past trauma and the obstacles we are facing today.

Children react to trauma, anxiety, and stress differently than adults. Their reactions may fluctuate from one day to the next and may be unlike those reactions by other children. T heir reactions may be subtle or obvious and vary in degree ofseverity. Older children, or teenagers, may exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors, while younger children may cling more to their caregiver or show behavior regression, like bed wetting after having learned to use the toilet. Some children may cry unexpectedly or without reason, withdraw from people they care about or are hyperactive and have trouble

ADOBE STOCK The COVID-19 pandemic will have its own unique, and possibly traumatic, impact on children.

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focusing. It may be hard to identify the exact thing that is reminding them of their previous trauma. Differentiating between a trauma related response/ behavior versus a newly developed social-distance/COVID-19 behavior may be tough, but there are strategies parents can use to help their children process their past trauma while overcoming the current adverse conditions.

Parental strategies include the following: • Reassure your child or teen that they are safe –Let them know they can share their feelings and emotions; share your own feelings and how you deal with them to help them feel safe. • Talk to your children –do not make assumptions about what they may know or understand. Use developmentally appropriate language to describe current events, their previous experience, and how the two may be linked. • Keep to the routines as much as you can –lack ofstructur e can be very uncomfortable for children and threatens their level offelt safety. • Control exposure to news coverage –stick to the trusted sources regarding current news coverage and limit the exposure you and your family have to this information, including social media. Children can easily misinterpret what they hear. • Seek help –Though you may not be able to meet them in person, be brave in utilizing other forms to communicate with support professionals ifyou can, even if that means just a phone call.

Nora Retzlaff says extra vanilla makes her pancakes extra good.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

The secret to a better pancake? Extra vanilla

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

Nora and Sam Retzlaff are pancake aficionados.

They like them plain, with butter and with fresh blueberries — but no syrup. A favorite game when eating pancakes is deciding what U.S. state they look like after each bite.

The kids have sampled a number of recipes but their go-to is the one on the Bisquick box.

“With extra vanilla,” says Nora. That makes all the difference.

When quarantine forced kids the into Improvised Emergency Home School, as their mom called it, many cooking lessons found their way into mom’s social media feed. Their first effort was pancakes.

We asked Nora and Sam to try a recipe for Easy Fluffy American Pancakes. They were game with one caveat: Nora could alter the recipe to include — vanilla.

Once the pancakes had been devoured, the Retzlaff children gave the recipe a thumbs up. “It’s what I’ll make if I’m out of Bisquick,” Nora says.

EASY FLUFFY AMERICAN PANCAKES

1¼ cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 2½ teaspoons vanilla 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 pinch salt 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large egg Assorted toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, etc.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, vegetable oil, vanilla and egg. 3. Pour the dry ingredients into the milk mixture, and stir (be careful not to overmix). 4. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat, and coat generously with vegetable oil. 5. For each pancake, spoon 2 or 3 tablespoons of batter onto the skillet. Cook until the pancake batter bubbles, about 1 minute. Flip pancake carefully with a spatula, and cook until underside is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. 6. Transfer pancake to a heatproof platter and cover with foil to keep warm until entire batch is made. Serve warm, with desired topping such as maple syrup, fresh berries or banana slices.

Adapted by Nora Retzlaff from www.delscookingtwist.com

Nearly every country has its own spin on pancakes. We think you’ll enjoy these two.

BETTER THAN PARIS Fresh berries and cream are a crepe-lover’s dream

TEXT, STYLING +PHOTOGRAPHY KileyCruse

Classic crepes are good on their own. But step up their texture and flavor, and you’ll never eat them plain again. This variation is perfect for anyone who prefers something sweet to start the day.

CLASSIC BERRY CREPES

• 2 cups milk • 4 eggs • 3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1½ cups flour • Powdered sugar • Fruit • Greek Yogurt Cream filling (recipe follows)

1. Place the milk, eggs, melted butter, sugar, vanilla, salt and flour into a blender. Blend until the batter is smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 2. Melt a small of pat of butter in a 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat. 3. Pour ¼ cup batter into the pan. Turn the pan from side to side to make an even circle. 4. Cook the crepe for 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Flip with a spatula and cook the other side for 1 to 2 minutes. Continue making crepes until the batter is used up. 5. Place a crepe on a plate. Spread with Greek Yogurt Cream. Fold in quarters and top with a handful of berries. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

GREEK YOGURT CREAM

• 1 cup Greek yogurt • 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature • 1/3 cup sugar

1. In a small mixing bowl, cream together yogurt, cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 2. Set aside until ready to use. Refrigerate if not using right away. Adapted from kidstir.com and natashaskitchen.com

LIGHT AS AIR Warning:This buttery puff pastry will vanish before your very eyes

Oh, baby! We’ll take the whole puffed creation. Please and thank you.

VANILLA DUTCH BABY

• 4 tablespoons butter • 4 eggs, at room temperature • ¾ cup flour (all-purpose works but bread flour adds puffiness) • ¾ cup milk, heated 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave • 1½ tablespoons sugar • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • Pinch salt • 3 cups fruit • Powdered sugar, for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Put a large (12-inch), ovenproof pan in the oven to heat while you mix the batter. 3. In a blender, combine the eggs, flour, warm milk, sugar, vanilla extract and pinch of salt. Blend on medium-high speed until uniform. (If mixing by hand, combine the eggs with the milk until the mixture is light yellow and no longer stringy, about 1 minute. Add the flour, sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt, and whisk vigorously to remove the lumps, about 30 seconds.) 4. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Add butter and let melt. 5. Swirl the butter around the pan to coat completely, and then pour the remaining butter into the batter and pulse to blend. Pour the batter into the hot pan and return the pan to the oven. Cook until the pancake is puffed in the center and golden brown along the edges, about 20 minutes. 6. Using a spatula, remove the entire Dutch baby from the pan and place on a cooling rack for a few minutes to allow the steam to escape without condensing along the bottom and rendering the pancake soggy. 7. Dust with powdered sugar and top with fruit of your choice. Slice the pancake into 8 wedges and serve. Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Brain booster

The YMCA of Greater Omaha reminds us that the benefits of physical activity improve our mental health as well

Even in the best oftimes, exercise is a vital component ofliving a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle.

But in difficult times such as these, exercise becomes more important than ever. Stress can wreak havoc on the mind and body, but physical exercise and activity have proven to be effective treatment strategies for battling the subsequent stressrelated complications such as depression and anxiety.

And while we have all been forced to bring the gym into our homes through the COVID shutdown, we are finally returning to the gym to engage in our favorite stressrelieving activities. As we engage in physical activities, here are some important tips to remember about enjoying the positive mental benefits ofexercise.

Even with social distancing, remember that peer-based workouts such as group exercise classes and community-based health programs can bring not only physical benefits, but the mental benefits stemming from human interaction as well.

While it’s easy to think about tracking physical exercise in terms ofhours logged or distance accomplished, think about in terms ofimproving self-esteem and growing positive attitude.

Use the improved mood and attitude stemming from exercise to track benefits in other important elements oflife, such as better sleep patterns or improved relationships with friends, family and colleagues.

Take note oftracking your memory and thinking. Studies have shown that physical activity can help sharpen memories and improve cognitive thinking, which can have a positive impact on mood and attitude.

Set physical goals and realize the mental benefits when those goals are reached. Tracking and reaching a set milestone will benefit not just physical, but mental rewards.

Don’t workout only when feeling stressed-out; be sure to enjoy physical activities while in a positive state ofmind, as you engage in them. Only working out when in patterns ofstress may teach the body to not want to engage as often.

Every day is a new day. Don’t let an overly strict regimen ofan exercise routine backfire by making

you feel bad when you don’t engage in activity daily.

The YMCA ofGreater Omaha offers 10 convenient branch locations across the metro Omaha area, with group exercise classes, weights, walking tracks, yoga, cardio, aquatics, youth sports, childcare and more, all to help both physical and mental health of members through these stressful times.

And joining the Y is joining more than just a gym, as the Y’s mission is to strengthen the foundation ofcommunity through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

For more infor mation on how to join, or about all the programs and services offered, visit www.metroymca.org or visit any of the Omaha-area branches.

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

Explore our 100 acres this fall and discover the wonders of nature. For fun family programs or to secure your timed ticket, visit lauritzengardens.org.

Open daily at 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha | (402) 346-4002| lauritzengardens.org

EXERCISE YOURHEART I N M O R E WAY S T H A N O N E

Join theY,and you’regetting somuchmorethan a gym. We dedicate ourselves to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Stay connected, get healthier, and have fun with your family by joining our YMCA family today! YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • metroymca.org