GreyBruceKids_Summer2020

phone calls, texts, letters and doorstep deliveries. We
can choose to take care of our ourselves and use coping
strategies to help us through it. We can choose to help
others, if we have the ability to do so.
• Building structure into our days. This helps adults
and youth alike. It gives us a sense of predictability in
an uncertain time and adds some comfort/familiarity to
our day.
• Showing kindness and patience to ourselves and
others. We feed off each other’s energy. If we are
stressed, our family members will pick up on this and
it may end up affecting their stress level in turn. For
example, our level of stress and anxiety, can come out in
an increase of bickering with others, or a strain on our
ability to remain patient with our kids. This means that
our time at home can be less than pleasant for everyone
there. Use a grounding strategy, take a breather, or try
out some of the mindfulness resources below to help
with remaining as calm as you can.
WHAT KIDS REALLY NEED.
In our usual day-to-day work, we often talk with parents about
the Four C’s of Parenting — choices, consequences, consistency
and compassion. Even in times like these, kids are most likely
to thrive if they are given consistency, opportunities for choices,
consequences to help them to learn, and compassion for what
they are going through. We have included a link below with
more information.
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND FIND
THE HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES.
This is a horrible virus, and there are terrible things
happening around the world as a result of it. Since we
can’t change that we are here, it’s time to shift our minds
to focus on our resilience, what we can be grateful for, and
what hidden opportunities we can find in all of this.
• Teen time. This might be an opportunity to spend
some quality time with your teenager, who would likely
otherwise be with their friends rather than at home.
• New appreciation and a time to re-evaluate. It’s
a chance to realize all that we might have taken for
granted, and not feel grateful to have. It’s also an
opportunity to re-evaluate what might no longer serve
a purpose for us when we move forward from this. This
might mean building more free time into our schedule
in the future or making more of an effort to reach out to
extended family and friends.
• Build and create moments of joy. Happiness doesn’t
just happen, and it is easy to lose sight of this at times
like these. Maybe now is the time to pick up that project
you have been meaning to find time for. Maybe it’s a
time to stretch your brain and try something new. Maybe
now is a chance to plan a family game night. Or maybe,
it’s a time to engage in some self care that just feels good,
like sitting down with a great book and savouring some
comfort food.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Pause, take a breath of fresh air and take a step towards
making the most of this incredibly challenging situation.
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL RESOURCES
Parenting
The Four C’s of Parenting: https://counseling.northwestern.
edu/blog/Four-Cs-Of-Parenting/
When Children Fight: https://bit.ly/3bYuRpO
Less Bickering and More Bonding: https://wapo.st/2X1XTAx
Anxiety & Mindfulness:
Website with resources: www.virusanxiety.com
Apps: Pacifica, Calm, Headspace
Video: Coronavirus — How to Cope with Anxiety and
Social Isolation https://bit.ly/2ZGwZQe
Video: Guard Dog and Wise Owl (child friendly explanation
of our brain when stressed) https://bit.ly/2B2Pftb
GBK
PENETANGORE WELLNESS is a counselling and art therapy service
that offers a spectrum of services for families and the community with
an open door, collaborative and inclusive approach which incorporates
partnerships and connections with other community services, if
appropriate for the family. Visit them at www.penetangore.info.
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