Parenting during the time of COVID-19

For young children:

• Realize behavioral problems could be due to frustration caused by COVID-19.
• Extend extra grace and patience throughout the day.
• Give lots of praise for good behavior, such as completing a chore or getting along with siblings.
• Make a behavior chart to give positive attention to a good choice made by your child.
• Validate and listen to your child’s disappointments about the way life has changed or activities they can no longer do.

For yourself:

• Prioritize one or two things you can do in the morning to start your day off right.
• Stay in touch with other adults through phone calls or video chats.
• Give yourself grace when the day doesn’t go the way you had planned.
• Set boundaries with the news. Put limits on how much information you’re taking in.
• Reconnect to something you enjoy such as music or art.

Learn more about community resources at lakelandpopulationhealth.org. To connect with a crisis counselor, you can call the national crisis hotline at 800.273.8255 or text HOME to 741741.